So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
I wanna watch you undress
I wanna watch you glow
Let your hair down
All around, and cover us both
You come in a waves
We crash and we roll
You surround me, pull me, drown me then swallow me whole
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
Yeah, I run, run, run, run right into you
Oh oh oh
You pull me in close
And buckle my knees
I shake and I shiver just to feel you breathe
You trace my lines (you trace your lines)
Stirring my soul
Shoot sparks at the heart of the world and I watch it explode
(I watch you yeah I watch you)
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
Yeah, I run, run, run, run right into you
Oh oh oh
I'm amazing (oh oh oh)
When you're beside me (oh oh oh)
I am so much more
(Oh oh oh) And I feel your fingers
Pound like thunder (oh oh oh)
And I am so much more
I am so much more
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
I run, run, run, run right into you
Oh love oh love
If I run, run, run, run right back to you
Turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I wanna watch you glow
Let your hair down
All around, and cover us both
You come in a waves
We crash and we roll
You surround me, pull me, drown me then swallow me whole
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
Yeah, I run, run, run, run right into you
Oh oh oh
You pull me in close
And buckle my knees
I shake and I shiver just to feel you breathe
You trace my lines (you trace your lines)
Stirring my soul
Shoot sparks at the heart of the world and I watch it explode
(I watch you yeah I watch you)
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
Yeah, I run, run, run, run right into you
Oh oh oh
I'm amazing (oh oh oh)
When you're beside me (oh oh oh)
I am so much more
(Oh oh oh) And I feel your fingers
Pound like thunder (oh oh oh)
And I am so much more
I am so much more
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
I run, run, run, run right into you
Oh love oh love
If I run, run, run, run right back to you
Turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
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this song makes me wanna fall in love :)
I really don't know how else to interpret these lyrics. I feel that it's two people having an affair. I'm surprised by the "love" comments that have been made. Yes, sex with someone you love is freakin' AMAZING! But I don't see anything in these lyrics that indicates love. I see lyrics that indicate great physical sex despite knowing it's emotionally wrong (i.e. cheating). And that is all that the relationship will ever be.
Sadly, people having affairs are probably relating to the powerful, sexual emotion in this song, and they are likely using the "good feeling" of this song to help them bury their guilt. It just won't work. It never does. When desires trump conscience, nothing good will follow. Break up first. Divorce first. Then start a real relationship with someone else who gets this.
It bothers me that these talented artists would be so shallow. I think I just lost a lot of respect for Matt and for Sugarland.
I couldn't agree more! Sex is a physical manifestation of love and is a powerful expression of emotion. Lust is just a crude expression our animal instincts and it just doesn't work. Anyhow, you said it much better than I. Thank you!
It maybe about an affair-which I do not or ever have condoned. But;"WOW"! :) I love it.:)LOVE it. :)
And then do dirty things with the person I've just fallen in love with. Seriously, both Matt Nathanson and Jennifer Nettles write some of the most provocative lyrics around. I love it.
This song makes me think of an affair - how you feel totally turned on and excited...but its wrong
Excuse my crudeness, but this song makes me want to f***. It is incredible beautiful and erotic. It is about passion and fire. It is about two people who simply can't keep themselves away from each other, despite what may be trying to stop them. It may be about an affair or a past flame reigniting. Whatever it is about, it is so incredibly heated that it cant be contained. Even though I have been with my girlfriend for over 6 years, it makes me want to run to her. It is so emotional. It is about love that can't be contained and two people who aren't complete unless they are together.
The line "I know that it's wrong" makes me think that it is two people who shouldn't be together, however it is still so powerful. No matter what boundary is keeping these two people together, their love and passion can't be stopped. "You surround me, pull me, drown me then swallow me whole" means to me that their love may even be toxic but they can't keep away. No matter their interaction or their situation, they need to be together. I love it.
All of the references to light and fire make me think that these two are fiery and explosive, truly erotic lovers. They are toxic yet bound together. They are passionate and sexual, yet sensual and loving. They are definitely Cancers (astrology) just like me. I think that is why I relate to this song so much! If they aren't cancers, they are both water signs!
I don't think this song is about an affair or being with someone you aren't supposed to be with because you have someone else.It's about being so in love with someone and wanting them. They know that it's wrong because maybe their relationship has problems. They might be better apart but they can't seem to breakaway from eachother. The chemistry is too strong as well as the feelings, so they run to eachother. It's a beautiful love song
I think there could be lots of interpretations with the most obvious being sexual, but could also be a strong attraction. Sometimes people just share that intense connection.
This song is all i think of in recent days. It's not about sex to me but the intimacy i shared with one who had to leave too soon. She was a wonderful person,
I was at one of his concerts recently and before he explained what this song was about he asked if anyone in the crowd was under 11. Some said their kid was 10 and then he goes 'Okay then I'm not going to be able to use a lot of the words I would normally use to explain this. I'm going to need to get really figurative here. Give me a minute..."
He then described this song as being about when he and Jennifer Nettles get together to play a very heated game of scrabble, where the goal is to get the other person to scream triple word score first.
So yea the song is basically about really good sex.. ;)