Abandoned Pools is the performing name for singer-songwriter and musician T… Read Full Bio ↴Abandoned Pools is the performing name for singer-songwriter and musician Tommy Walter, as well as the name of the band in which he plays. He began playing music at a young age, first with the bass guitar and then the French horn. He attended University of Southern California, followed by the Pacific University. Teaching classical music theory, Walter began working with various Los Angeles-area musicians.

Walter soon began working with a singer-songwriter who went by E and drummer Butch Norton as The Eels. After a promising debut, Walter left the band due to differences with E. He formed a short-lived band, Tely, who released a CD that was distributed on the internet. He was also in the touring band for the Ken Andrews solo project ON, though in the end the band saw little touring. Later he went on to form Abandoned Pools and recorded a solo album, Humanistic, in 2001. Humanistic actually features a couple of songs that were once performed by Tely, like "Start Over."

In 2002 they performed the theme song for the short-lived MTV animated series Clone High. Many of their songs can be heard in the background during the show.

Walter teamed up with drummer Bryan Head and guitarist Sean Woolstenhulme in 2004 to record "Armed to the Teeth," the follow up to Humanistic. In June of 2005, they released an EP, consisting of a few songs from the new album along with b-sides and demos, called The Reverb EP. This was followed by the full album in September 2005.

In January of 2006, Walter wrote in his blog that Universal Records had stopped promoting the album. However, he has included several song snippets on his MySpace and has said he is writing songs for a new album.

In March of 2010, Walter announced via Twitter that he would enter the studio to work on a third Abandoned Pools album after five years of hiatus.

In mid-May 2011, via the Abandoned Pools' MySpace page, two new songs, "Marigold" and "In Silence" from the upcoming album, "Sublime Currency" were made available for streaming and download, or iTunes, as well as a full length demo of the first album, "Humanistic." The third studio album was expected to be released in late 2011, but is now due out sometime in 2012. On Friday, January 27, 2012, the Abandoned Pools' Facebook page posted: "Announcement coming on Monday." (January 30th)

In Your House
Abandoned Pools Lyrics

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Why should I
Care if you were raised by wolves?
When you realize
That your family's poisonous
Under constant eye
They will never let you go
And your heart belies
To cover you and disappear in stone

In your house tonight
Say your prayer goodnight
Blank stares from their eyes
Say your prayer goodnight

I'll survive
Through another magic show
Oh but how should I
Avoid rows of dominoes?
Under constant eye
They will never let you go
In a house on fire
We pretend that everything is gold

In your house tonight
Say your prayer goodnight
It's raining stars for hours
Say your prayer goodnight
Goodnight

I survived
Broke another lover down
And my heart is tired
From my many failed attempts
In your house tonight

Wicked phantoms creak the floor
In a house on fire
We pretend that everything is gold

In your house tonight
Say your prayer goodnight
The phantoms creak the floors
Say your prayer goodnight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "In Your House" by Abandoned Pools paint a poignant picture of feeling trapped and suffocated within a toxic and dysfunctional family environment. The opening lines, "Why should I care if you were raised by wolves?" suggest a sense of detachment and indifference towards the upbringing and circumstances of others. The imagery of being raised by wolves further emphasizes the idea of being brought up in a harsh and unforgiving environment. The mention of a "poisonous family" alludes to the toxicity and negativity that surrounds the singer, creating a sense of suffocation and entrapment.

The repetition of the phrase "Under constant eye, they will never let you go" highlights the feeling of being constantly monitored and controlled by those around you, unable to break free from their influence. The lyric "In a house on fire, we pretend that everything is gold" captures the theme of denial and illusion, where despite being in a volatile and destructive situation, there is a facade of happiness and perfection maintained. The idea of one's heart betraying them to "cover you and disappear in stone" showcases the struggle to maintain a facade of strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

The chorus of the song, with its haunting repetition of "Say your prayer goodnight," suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance of the harsh realities of the singer's situation. The mention of "rain of stars" and "wicked phantoms" adds to the eerie and surreal atmosphere, hinting at a sense of unease and foreboding in the singer's surroundings. The repeated imagery of the house on fire symbolizes the chaos and turmoil within the family dynamics, while also alluding to the destructive nature of the relationships within.

The lyrics also delve into themes of personal struggles and failed relationships, with lines like "Broke another lover down" and "My heart is tired from my many failed attempts." These lines reflect a sense of weariness and emotional exhaustion from trying to navigate through challenging circumstances and failed connections. Overall, "In Your House" paints a vivid and emotionally charged portrait of a protagonist grappling with inner turmoil, familial toxicity, and the inescapable cycle of destructive patterns within their environment.

Line by Line Meaning

Why should I
Questioning the importance of a certain situation or relationship

Care if you were raised by wolves?
Not concerned about someone's rough upbringing or background

When you realize
Coming to an understanding or awareness

That your family's poisonous
Recognizing that your family may be toxic or harmful

Under constant eye
Being watched or scrutinized at all times

They will never let you go
Feeling trapped or controlled by others

And your heart belies
Your true feelings contradicting external appearances

To cover you and disappear in stone
Using a facade to hide your true emotions and blend into the background

In your house tonight
Within the confines of your home at this moment

Say your prayer goodnight
Offering a prayer before bed or asking for protection

Blank stares from their eyes
Receiving cold or unemotional looks from others