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.
Prejudice, wrote a song about it
Like to hear it? Here it go
Free your mind
I wear tight clothing, high heel shoes
It doesn't mean that I'm a prostitute, no, no
I like rap music, wear hip hop clothes
That doesn't mean that I'm out sellin' dope, no, no, no
Oh my, forgive me for having straight hair, no
It doesn't mean there's another blood in my heir, yeah, yeah
I might date another race or color
It doesn't mean I don't like my strong black brothers
(Mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da)
Why oh why must it be this way?
(Mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da)
Before you can read me, you've got to learn how to see me, I said
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
So I'm a sista, buy things with cash
That really doesn't mean that all my credit's bad, ooh
So why dispute me and waste my time?
Because you really think the price is high for me
I can't look without being watched, no
You rang my buy before I made up my mind, ow
Oh, now attitude, why even bother?
I can't change your mind, you can't change my color
(Mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da)
Why oh why must it be this way?
(Mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da)
Before you can read me, you've got to learn how to see me, I said
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind
(Mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da)
Why oh why must it be this way?
Before you can read me, you've got to learn how to see me, I said
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind
Like to hear it? Here it go
Free your mind
I wear tight clothing, high heel shoes
It doesn't mean that I'm a prostitute, no, no
I like rap music, wear hip hop clothes
That doesn't mean that I'm out sellin' dope, no, no, no
Oh my, forgive me for having straight hair, no
It doesn't mean there's another blood in my heir, yeah, yeah
I might date another race or color
It doesn't mean I don't like my strong black brothers
(Mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da)
Why oh why must it be this way?
(Mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da)
Before you can read me, you've got to learn how to see me, I said
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
So I'm a sista, buy things with cash
That really doesn't mean that all my credit's bad, ooh
So why dispute me and waste my time?
Because you really think the price is high for me
I can't look without being watched, no
You rang my buy before I made up my mind, ow
Oh, now attitude, why even bother?
I can't change your mind, you can't change my color
(Mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da)
Why oh why must it be this way?
(Mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da)
Before you can read me, you've got to learn how to see me, I said
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind
(Mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da, mmm-da)
Why oh why must it be this way?
Before you can read me, you've got to learn how to see me, I said
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
Free your mind
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Free Your Mind Lyrics as written by Thomas Mcelroy Denzil Foster
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I love this song.
These are many modern-day racist attitudes that many people assume about black women.
me too. even if it is old.
a shame this hasn't had more traction here. awesome song.
younger i pretty much thought as the verse hints. later years taught among others not a just broader view on life itself but the teachings of the bible on the matter. women should not be seen that way it’s generally seen more or less as degrading.