The two main influences on the band are the Beatles and Black Sabbath, and keyboardist Josh Silver has expressed a love of Pink Floyd--evidence of which can be heard in the atmospherics of his production techniques.
The band arose from the ashes of the band Carnivore and gained popularity with their songs "Black No. 1" and "Christian Woman" from the Bloody Kisses album. The album was the first in Roadrunner Records' catalog to go both gold and platinum. They have successfully toured with Pantera, Life of Agony, and dozens of other established and up-and-coming bands, as well as taking part in Ozzfest. The band had VHS and DVD documentary releases in addition to their CD releases and contributions to movie soundtracks and compilations.
Steele died of sepsis caused by diverticulitis (initially reported as heart failure) on April 14 2010 at the age of 48.
Singles and video-featured songs
Black No. 1 - 1993
Christian Woman - 1993
Cinnamon Girl - 1996
Everyone I Love Is Dead - 1999
Everything Dies - 1999
I Don't Wanna Be Me - 2003
Love You to Death - 1996
My Girlfriend's Girlfriend - 1996
Profits of Doom - 2007
September Sun - 2007
Summer Breeze - 1993
Discography
Slow, Deep and Hard - 1991
Origin of The Feces - 1992
Bloody Kisses - 1993
October Rust- 1996
World Coming Down - 1999
Life Is Killing Me - 2003
Dead Again - 2007
Members
Peter Steele - Vocals, bass guitar and songwriting (1990-2010)
Josh Silver - Keyboards (1990-2010)
Kenny Hickey - Guitar and backing vocals (1990-2010)
Johnny Kelly - Drums (1994-2010)
Sal Abruscato - Drums (1990-1993)
I Don't Wanna Be Me
Type O Negative Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't wanna be me
I don't wanna be
Me anymore
Ever throwing at his home
Two glass houses, twenty stones
Fourteen yellow, six are blue
Could it be worse? Quite doubtful
I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be me
I don't wanna be
Me anymore
I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be me
I don't wanna be
Me anymore
One, two
One, two, three, four
Two steps forward, three steps back
Without warning, heart attack
He fell asleep in the snow
Never woke up, died alone
I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be me
I don't wanna be
Me anymore
I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be me
I don't wanna be
Me anymore
One, two
One, two, three, four
Please don't dress in black
When you're at his wake
Don't go there to mourn
But to celebrate
Please don't dress in black
When you're at his wake
Don't go there to mourn
But to celebrate
I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be me
I don't wanna be
Me anymore
I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be me
I don't wanna be
Me anymore
One, two
One, two, three, four
I don't wanna be (I don't wanna be)
I don't wanna be me (wanna be me)
I don't wanna be (I don't wanna be)
Me anymore
I don't wanna be (I don't wanna be)
I don't wanna be me (wanna be me)
I don't wanna be (I don't wanna be)
Me anymore
In the first verse of Type O Negative's "I Don't Wanna Be Me," the lyrics are a metaphorical description of a person who is continually making mistakes, picking fights, or causing problems for themselves. The singer compares this person's life to two glass houses, which they repeatedly throw stones at. The stones represent the mistakes and issues that this person brings upon themselves, some of which are insignificant (14 yellow stones), and some of which are major (6 blue stones). However, despite the difficulties this person faces, the singer suggests that things could still be worse, even if it seems unlikely.
The second verse takes a darker turn, describing the sudden and tragic death of this person after a heart attack. The lyrics suggest that this person was alone when they died, having fallen asleep in the snow. The bleak imagery of the verse contrasts sharply with the upbeat, almost whimsical tone of the first verse, highlighting the impermanence of life and the futility of dwelling on mistakes.
The chorus implores mourners not to dress in black but to celebrate the life of this person. It's a reminder that while life is full of ups and downs, it's essential to find joy in the journey and not be too hard on oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever throwing at his home
Constantly hurling insults and negativity towards him
Two glass houses, twenty stones
He lives in an environment surrounded by people who are also quick to criticize and judge others
Fourteen yellow, six are blue
The ratio of negative to positive comments he receives is heavily skewed towards negativity
Could it be worse quite doubtful
The situation could be worse, but it's already pretty bad
Two steps forward, three steps back
No matter how hard he tries to improve, he seems to keep falling behind again and again
Without warning, heart attack
Something bad can happen unexpectedly at any moment
He fell asleep in the snow
He died in a cold and lonely place
Never woke up, died alone
He passed away without anyone by his side
Please don't dress in black
Please don't mourn his death
When you're at his wake
If you attend his funeral service
Don't go there to mourn
Don't go there to feel sad and cry
But to celebrate
But go there to commemorate his life and the good memories you had with him
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Peter Thomas Steele
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind