Following a few scattered independent releases, done mostly on homemade CDs with hand-drawn art, VanGaalen released Infiniheart in 2004 on Canadian independent label Flemish Eye. Being a collection of songs selected from recordings made in his bedroom/makeshift studio, it was picked up in 2005 by indie label Sub Pop. In late 2005, the album was re-released with a bonus six-song EP entitled Green Beans.
On 22 August 2006, VanGaalen's second album, Skelliconnection, was released in the U.S. on Sub Pop and in Canada on Flemish Eye. The album comprised of new songs as well as tracks previously released on his earlier independent recordings and features exclusive artwork and videos made by VanGaalen. The album was named on the shortlist for the 2007 Polaris Music Prize.
VanGaalen's third studio album, Soft Airplane, was released 9 September 2008.
In 2009, VanGaalen released a full-length album "Snow Blindness is Crystal Antz" under the alias Black Mold.
In 2015, VanGaalen collaborated with Seth Smith of the indie rock band Dog Day on the album Seed of Dorzon.
Chad VanGaalen's Light Information, his sixth record on Sub Pop, was released on 8 September 2017.
As a visual artist, VanGaalen is known for his illustration and animation work. He has animated music videos for folks like J Mascis, Guster, and Holy Fuck.
Kill me in my sleep
Chad VanGaalen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll hold me down til I can't move
You'll press the pillow to my face
And hold it down so I can't breathe
Sleep creeping around
Night stalking all around
You've got it down, yeah, don't you
Sleep creeping all around
You've got it down, yeah, don't you
You're gonna kill me in my sleep
You'll slit my throat and drain my blood
You'll step back and watch me bleed
And then you'll make a clean escape
The lyrics to Chad VanGaalen's song "Kill Me in My Sleep" depict the fears of an individual who feels trapped and powerless under someone else's control. The first verse describes the singer's belief that someone intends to murder them in their sleep, slowly suffocating them with a pillow until they can't breathe. The second verse portrays the predator as a looming presence, always nearby, and with the perfect plan to commit the crime, while the chorus reinforces the inevitability of the act.
The song can be interpreted as a representation of fears that are rooted in real-life experiences, such as being the target of abuse or harassment. The lyrics highlight a sense of helplessness and emphasize the feeling of being trapped in a dangerous situation. The use of the second person, “you” creates a feeling of personal involvement and direct confrontation which intensifies the sense of impending doom.
Generally considered to be one of Chad VanGaalen's darker songs, "Kill Me in My Sleep" is a haunting portrayal of vulnerability and terror. However, the lyrics can be interpreted in various ways, and the song overall is open to multiple readings.
Line by Line Meaning
You're gonna kill me in my sleep
Expressing fear that someone is plotting to murder the singer while they're asleep.
You'll hold me down til I can't move
The killer will physically restrain the singer to prevent them from escaping or fighting back.
You'll press the pillow to my face
The killer will use a pillow to suffocate the singer, a slow and painful method of murder.
And hold it down so I can't breathe
The killer will use the pillow to prevent oxygen from reaching the artist's lungs, causing them to suffocate.
Sleep creeping around
The idea of sleep being a lurking presence, like a predator stalking its prey.
Night stalking all around
The darkness of night being a source of fear and anxiety for the singer, as it provides cover for the killer.
You've got it down, yeah, don't you
The killer is experienced and skilled at murder, suggesting that they have done it before.
Night stalking around
Reinforcing the atmosphere of fear and dread, with the killer hiding in the shadows.
Sleep creeping all around
The idea that sleep is dangerous and treacherous, like an enemy lying in wait.
You're gonna kill me in my sleep
Reiterating the artist's anxiety and fear that someone is planning to murder them while they're most vulnerable.
You'll slit my throat and drain my blood
A graphic description of the killer's method of murder, evoking feelings of revulsion and horror.
You'll step back and watch me bleed
The killer will take pleasure in the act of killing, suggesting a sadistic and cruel nature.
And then you'll make a clean escape
The killer is confident in their ability to cover up their crime and avoid getting caught.
Lyrics © Fintage House Publishing
Written by: CHAD VANGAALEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind