Bad Omens is a metalcore band from Richmond, Virginia, formed in 2015. The band includes vocalist Noah Sebastian, guitarist Nicholas Ruffilo, and bassist Vincent Riquier.
One of their songs, “Dethrone,” explores the idea of a distant and tyrannical God who takes a lot from humanity without facing consequences. “Dethrone” literally means to take away God’s authority or position.
This song is part of their album “Finding God Before God Finds Me,” which delves into the theme of religion versus anti-religion.
In this article, we’ll analyze the lyrics to understand their meaning.
Table of Contents
“Dethrone” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
“Let me take you back to when I was killed and born again
Woke up in the light convinced my life had made it to its end
Burning up beneath the sun while my father drained of blood
If he’s there, I’ve got a message for the man that’s up above
Fuck you”
In Verse 1, the singer is possibly speaking from the perspective of Jesus or a figure undergoing a similar experience. The lines “Let me take you back to when I was killed and born again” and “Woke up in the light convinced my life had made it to its end” align with the biblical narrative of Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection.
In this interpretation, the lyrics could be seen as a portrayal of Jesus expressing anger and frustration toward a higher power (possibly God) for the suffering he endured during his crucifixion and resurrection. The line “If he’s there, I’ve got a message for the man that’s up above” may be directed at God, conveying a sense of defiance and a desire to communicate his feelings.
[Pre-Chorus]
If he’s home, I’ve got a message from below
Getting out is not enough if nobody else can come
If he’s home, I’ve got a message for the man above
In the section of Pre-Chorus, the line “If he’s home, I’ve got a message from below” implies that the singer is addressing a higher power (“he”) from a position below, which could symbolize a connection to humanity or earthly concerns. This is consistent with the idea of Jesus serving as a mediator between God and humanity.
The following line “Getting out is not enough if nobody else can come” suggests a sense of compassion and empathy. The singer points out that personal salvation or freedom is incomplete if others cannot also be saved. It reflects the concept of Jesus as a savior who cares about the well-being of all people.
[Chorus]
Here am I, take me to the pearly gates
So I can look you in the eye when I spit in your face
Here am I, take me to the pearly gates
Don’t let ’em hit you on the way out when I take your place
In the Chorus, the line “Here am I, take me to the pearly gates” expresses a willingness to confront a higher power or deity at the gates of heaven, symbolized by the “pearly gates.” From a Christian perspective, this could symbolize Jesus’ ultimate destination. Here, it suggests a desire for a face-to-face encounter with God, possibly to challenge or question their authority.
The following line “So I can look you in the eye when I spit in your face” is confrontational and defiant. The singer wants to confront the higher power directly and show no fear or respect.
In the line “Don’t let ’em hit you on the way out when I take your place,” the singer (from the perspective of Jesus) is not only challenging the higher power’s authority but also aiming to replace or dethrone them. It implies a rebellion against the current order or hierarchy.
[Verse 2]
Did you think you could dig deep enough to bury me?
It’s over when I say and you’re not getting rid of me
So walk into my fire or step into my light
Either way, it’s gonna burn if you don’t make this right, oh
Shit
In Verse 2, the opening line “Did you think you could dig deep enough to bury me?” implies that God attempted to bury or defeat the Jesus.
The following line “It’s over when I say and you’re not getting rid of me” could symbolize Jesus’ resilience and determination, asserting that his mission and message will endure and cannot be extinguished by external forces, including God.
In the line “So walk into my fire or step into my light,” “fire” and “light” could symbolize different aspects of Jesus’ message or mission. “Fire” may represent his passionate message or the trials he faced, while “light” could symbolize his truth or teachings.
The final line “Either way, it’s gonna burn if you don’t make this right, oh” suggest that there are consequences for not acknowledging or aligning with Jesus’ message or mission. In other words, the singer is asking God to make things right in the context of religious redemption.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Dethrone”
“Dethrone” by Bad Omens is a song that reflects on Christian religious teachings. It questions God’s authority and expresses frustration with a seemingly indifferent divine power.
In the song, the singer takes on the perspective of Jesus to question the meaning of his crucifixion. The lyrics suggest that Jesus’s burial might be a prank by a tyrannical God (“Did you think you could dig deep enough to bury me?”). It appears that Jesus has been reborn through his own determination as a man rather than relying on a higher power.
Contrary to traditional Christian teachings, the singer doesn’t view Jesus’s rebirth as salvation for humans. Instead, he sees it as God punishing Jesus for amusement.
The line, “Getting out is not enough if nobody else can come,” suggests that Jesus escaping from his burial alone is inadequate if others are still trapped or suffering. Therefore, the burial and rebirth of Jesus appear more like a spectacle than a genuine means of helping humanity.
This leads the rebellious Jesus to confront God and demand justice. With a strong belief in humanity, he challenges God face to face (“So I can look you in the eye when I spit in your face”) and even threatens to dethrone Him if He doesn’t bring about positive change.
This song reminds me of Nietzsche’s idea that “God is dead.” Nietzsche viewed the God in Christianity as a suppressive system and suggested that individuals should create their own values and meaning in life. In the song, the rebellious Jesus, akin to a modern-day Nietzsche, challenges the established order and is prepared to strip God of His immense authority.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.