On June 6, 2006, the band released their debut album, So Gone on Misra Records to critical acclaim. Some of the album's themes include: sex, coping with day-to-day boredom, drugs and drag queens.
Evangelicals' second album "The Evening Descends" was issued in January 2008 by the Dead Oceans label to more acclaim. Themes on this album included death, zombies, car crashes, and mental illness.
Bloodstream
Evangelicals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Believing that I was a saint
They stoned me, I rolled over Christ told me...
"I can feel you running through my bloodstream"
Choke holding and someone's still smoking
Ignoring the buried alive
Dying high off carbon dioxide
I swear to God I saw him as I was walking through the woods last night
He said "Faith is a form of sight"
And then he shot me in the eyes
I swear it really happened, you can believe me if you want to
The blind can lead the blind site until another...
Vision of the Christ
Woke laughing, I must have collapsed then
The last thing I see is a man
He tells me "Reflection is vanity"
And I can feel it runnin' through my bloodstream
The lyrics of Evangelicals' "Bloodstream" talk about vivid dreams, hallucinations, and visions of Christ. The song takes the listener on a journey through the lead singer's subconscious mind, where he sees himself as a saint, being stoned, and talking to Christ. The line "I swear to God I saw him as I was walking through the woods last night" is particularly striking, as it seems to suggest that the singer has had a real-life encounter with Jesus Christ. However, the imagery becomes more surreal as the song progresses, with the singer talking about being choked, buried, and dying from carbon dioxide. The song ends on a more optimistic note, with a man telling the singer that "reflection is vanity," which can be interpreted as a message to focus on the present moment and not dwell on the past or worry about the future.
Overall, "Bloodstream" seems to explore themes of spirituality, mortality, and the boundaries between reality and imagination. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and enigmatic lines that invite multiple interpretations. The song's haunting melody and dreamlike quality make it a memorable exploration of the human psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke screaming, I must have been dreaming
I woke up suddenly with a loud scream as I realized that everything that happened was just a dream.
Believing that I was a saint
I was under the illusion and belief that I am a morally perfect person.
They stoned me, I rolled over Christ told me...
People hurt and attacked me, but I found solace in Christ, who gave me a sense of comfort and relief.
"I can feel you running through my bloodstream"
I still feel the presence of Christ in my life and I believe that my faith is inseparable from my being.
Choke holding and someone's still smoking
There is a suffocating grip on me, while someone nearby is smoking without knowing or caring about my struggle.
Ignoring the buried alive
People are oblivious or indifferent towards the struggles and suffering of others who are mentally or emotionally trapped.
Dying high off carbon dioxide
I am suffocating on my own toxic thoughts and beliefs, leading me towards a detrimental state of mind.
And i can feel it running through my bloodstream
My negative mindset is deeply ingrained and affecting my perspective and behavior on a fundamental level.
I swear to God I saw him as I was walking through the woods last night
I had a strong conviction that I encountered Christ during my walk in the woods, which gave me hope and faith.
He said "Faith is a form of sight"
Christ conveyed to me that faith enables me to see and perceive things beyond what is visible or tangible, beyond what my physical eyes can see.
And then he shot me in the eyes
Christ's figurative 'shot' in my eyes symbolizes the opening up of my spiritual sight to see the world from a different lens.
I swear it really happened, you can believe me if you want to
I genuinely experienced a spiritual awakening and connection with Christ, and I hope others can find it in themselves to believe in this possibility.
The blind can lead the blind site until another...
People who are spiritually blind can still guide other people who are also spiritually blind, until one of them has a spiritual awakening or realization.
Vision of the Christ
Seeing and realizing the presence of Christ can be a transformative, life-changing experience that provides hope and meaning.
Woke laughing, I must have collapsed then
I woke up in a state of laughter, though it might have been the aftermath of a mental or emotional breakdown.
The last thing I see is a man
I saw a man who may symbolize a religious figure, a self-help guru, or a real-life mentor who imparted certain wisdom or insights to me.
He tells me "Reflection is vanity"
The man warned me against excessive self-reflection, self-obsession, and narcissism that might trap me in my own negativity.
And I can feel it runnin' through my bloodstream
Whatever the man told me has had a profound impact on me and has become a part of my being and thinking, as if it's running through my veins.
Contributed by Reagan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.