Some might not consider St. Louis, Missouri a hotbed for captivating music,… Read Full Bio ↴Some might not consider St. Louis, Missouri a hotbed for captivating music, yet CHOIR VANDALS are among a new crop of bands from the city challenging such a notion. Their brand of alternative / indie rock caught the attention of many with the release of the impressive "Darker Things EP" in late 2013 and the momentum hasn't let up since. Soon after their debut surfaced, the band signed with 6131 Records and began crafting what would becoming their sophomore effort "At Night", an EP with four songs that all equally merit notice for their great songwriting and brooding catchiness.

Freaking Out
Choir Vandals Lyrics

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The feeling of waiting to be hung is much like the feeling of smoke in my lungs.
Hobby or habit, either way I'm done. What a conscientious web I've spun.
Someone asked me how I'm doing. I've got an answer you probably won't like. I can't find the words to say that I can't hang when I'm high. Oh yeah, well I guess I'm fine.

They all want to talk about the things that they did back in school. And I don't want to think about the things I'll never do.

Oh, I think I'm ready to leave my body tonight, so I don't feeling nothing.
So quick to leave all my friends behind, would they notice I'm missing

But every time I think about the afterlife, it's so very frightening.
But still, I'll leave my body tonight, so I don't feel nothing.
Oh yeah, alright.

How do I look, How do I sound?
My eyes fixated on the tile grout.
Iron gum, mojave mouth. My teeth, are they falling out?
Conscious self leads to constant doubt.

And I think I'll just go lay down, somewhere where no one else is around and listen to Know By Heart, because I'm freaking out. Have I ever really been myself?

They all want to talk about the things that they did back in school. And I don't want to think about the things I'll never do.

Oh, I think I'm ready.
I think I'm ready to leave my body tonight.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Choir Vandals's song "Freaking Out" delve into the feelings of anxiety, depression, and uncertainty that plague the lead singer. The opening line, "The feeling of waiting to be hung is much like the feeling of smoke in my lungs," sets the tone for the song's mood; it's ominous and foreboding. The reference to the feeling of smoke in his lungs could represent the self-destructive habits he's been indulging in, such as smoking or substance abuse.

The chorus features the line, "Oh, I think I'm ready to leave my body tonight, so I don't feel nothing." It highlights the singer's desire to escape the pain and unease caused by his mental state. The verse also mentions his struggle with socializing; he cannot find the words to say that he cannot hang when he's high.

The second verse mirrors the themes from the first, reiterating the singer's unease with his life, and that he's not sure if he's ever been himself. The song ends on a note of uncertainty, with the singer deciding to lay low and listen to music instead of trying to confront his problems.

Line by Line Meaning

The feeling of waiting to be hung is much like the feeling of smoke in my lungs.
Feeling the burden of anxiety and fear is as suffocating as smoke filling my lungs.

Hobby or habit, either way I'm done. What a conscientious web I've spun.
Whether it's a passion or addiction, it's consumed me entirely. I've created a tangled web of thoughts and worries.

Someone asked me how I'm doing. I've got an answer you probably won't like. I can't find the words to say that I can't hang when I'm high. Oh yeah, well I guess I'm fine.
When asked about my well-being, I can't express that I struggle with handling drugs. I pretend to be fine to avoid judgement and further questions.

They all want to talk about the things that they did back in school. And I don't want to think about the things I'll never do.
My peers reminisce about their school days, while I fear I'll never experience certain milestones or opportunities.

Oh, I think I'm ready to leave my body tonight, so I don't feeling nothing.
I'm considering detachment from my physical form to avoid the pain of my emotions.

So quick to leave all my friends behind, would they notice I'm missing.
I feel I'll easily become forgotten once I'm gone, and wonder if those around me will even notice my absence.

But every time I think about the afterlife, it's so very frightening. But still, I'll leave my body tonight, so I don't feel nothing.
Though the thought of death terrifies me, I'd rather depart from my body to escape the overwhelming emotions I feel in life.

How do I look, How do I sound? My eyes fixated on the tile grout. Iron gum, mojave mouth. My teeth, are they falling out? Conscious self leads to constant doubt.
I'm overly critical of my appearance and constantly anxious. I question my speech, while staring intently at the floor. My mouth feels dry and my teeth feel loose, adding to my self-doubt.

And I think I'll just go lay down, somewhere where no one else is around and listen to Know By Heart, because I'm freaking out. Have I ever really been myself?
To escape my anxiety, I'll go somewhere without others' scrutiny and listen to music, particularly Know By Heart. I question whether I've ever truly been able to express my genuine self.

Oh, I think I'm ready. I think I'm ready to leave my body tonight.
I've come to the conclusion that I'm prepared to detach from my physical body and leave it behind.

Contributed by Tristan T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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