Radioactive Records
1997
This is a song sung by the Apostle Peter to Jesus. It is his prayer to be made into a true follower rather than one who constantly fails. The seemingly contradictory phrase, “Turn my head, it’s aimed at you”, conveys the central theme: Peter’s ability to see Jesus clearly is deficient despite his close proximity.
Anyone, caught in your mystery
Keep it angry, keep it wispy
I've fallen down
Drunk on your juices
Turn my head
Turn my head
It's aimed at you
Funky temple
Your dress is torn to shreds
Your eyes are crazy
I bowed to save my head
I can't forget you
But I can't remember
Turn my head
Turn my head
It's aimed at you
We came to love you all day
These bastards are leavin'
Somebody's got to stay
Whatever we called you
It's just a name
Just a name
Turn my head
Turn my head
It's aimed at you
Interpretation
Anyone, caught in your mystery
Keep it angry, keep it wispy
Prior to Jesus’ arrest and execution, Peter observes people trying and failing to pigeonhole Jesus who enchanted those around him. But Jesus resisted the expectations of the four major Jewish groups of his day (Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes). Each group had strong ideas about what Messiah would be and Jesus didn’t fit any of them. As a result, he angered each group because his message was elusive or “wispy”.I've fallen down
Drunk on your juices
Peter includes himself in the crowd falling down as if worshipping the sensational teacher. “Drunk on your juices” evokes images of the last supper and combines it adding an almost sexual image of infatuation with Jesus.Turn my head
Turn my head
It's aimed at you
Peter recognizes that despite the fact he has followed Jesus for several years, he has yet to really see Jesus. Peter has his own expectations for Messiah and this has clouded his vision even while he is looking directly at Jesus. This is a plea for total transformation.Funky temple
Your dress is torn to shreds
“Funky temple” is a reference to Jesus’ comparison of the Temple building to his own body. Peter observes that if Jesus is saying he is the Temple (and all that symbolizes for Jews) then that is truly a strange or “funky” temple. Next, Peter says Jesus’ “dress” or robe is torn to shreds as a result of Jesus’ torture prior to his execution.Your eyes are crazy
I bowed to save my head
Peter is close enough to the activity to observe Jesus’ eyes and describes them as “crazy” meaning Jesus is in pain, scared, and desperate. It’s during this episode that people nearby accuse Peter of associating with Jesus. Peter bows to “save his head” by denying this accusation. Whereas Peter once bowed in worship, now it’s in denunciation.I can't forget you
But I can't remember
Jesus’ impact on Peter left an unforgettable mark. However, when people continue to question him about his association with Jesus, Peter “can’t remember” him. He again denies the one he claims to love and follow.Turn my head
Turn my head
It's aimed at you
We came to love you all day
These bastards are leavin'
Somebody's got to stay
The disciples followed Jesus for years, learned from him and grew to love him but, when Jesus heads for execution like a common criminal, they scatter. Incensed at the lack of faith, Peter alone stays close, a decision that led him to a place where he denied Jesus. Peter wants to be loyal but not at the cost of his life.Whatever we called you
It's just a name
Just a name
This final stanza is Peter struggling with his perception of Jesus. He knows Jesus is more than what he saw and heard. Whatever they called Jesus, Lord, Rabbi, Messiah, etc., those were just names that had baggage and wrong ideas attached to them. Peter realizes that Jesus goes beyond those titles but Peter isn’t yet sure what lies beyond.Turn my head
Turn my head
It's aimed at you
