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.
Skeleton Man
Evangelicals Lyrics
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An outlaw after hours leaning in
So if you see me acting out... understand
To be left out in the snow without a coat
Can do bad things to a man
Strand and my insides are burning up
Outdoors catching cold, breathing smoke
Well it's a baptism by fire, breathe in the heat
This does odd things to a man and
Love is strange
Skeleton man he says "I don't care"
A chest left empty of the heart's affairs
Well, it can carry other things that weigh much less
And a head all hollowed out leaves me alone
And I can get some rest
Secrets, little secrets, when I'm not here
And skeleton men and friends reappear
So if you see me acting out, you should know
Hands and knees knelt down and scraped, skin replaced bone
I once was a skeleton
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
When someone loves you very much
You're fucked
The lyrics to Evangelicals' song "Skeleton Man" capture a feeling of isolation and despair, as the singer describes feeling like an outsider who can't connect with others. The opening lines describe a sense of reach and rejection, as the singer longs to be close to someone but feels like they can't bridge the gap between them. The second verse portrays the singer as an outsider who is uncomfortable in his own skin, struggling with his own internal demons and destructive tendencies. He warns that his emotions are volatile and that he might erupt into flames if pushed too far. The chorus introduces the song's title character, the Skeleton Man: a figure who represents death or emptiness, but who, in this song, seems almost comforting to the singer. The Skeleton Man, with his empty chest and hollowed-out head, represents a kind of release from the pressures of life; a chance to rest and be at peace.
The lyrics to "Skeleton Man" are rich with metaphor and symbolism, offering a complex portrait of a person struggling with their own sense of identity and connection. The song touches on themes of loneliness, artistic frustration, and the search for meaning in an empty world.
Line by Line Meaning
A stranger reaching out for your hand
Someone unfamiliar is looking for comfort and support from you.
An outlaw after hours leaning in
A person who goes against societal norms is getting close to you.
So if you see me acting out... understand
If my behavior becomes erratic, please sympathize with me.
To be left out in the snow without a coat
Being excluded from warmth and comfort can be hurtful.
Can do bad things to a man
It can negatively affect a person's mental, emotional, or physical state.
Strand and my insides are burning up
I am extremely stressed and anxious.
Outdoors catching cold, breathing smoke
Being outside in the cold inhaling smoke can harm my health.
So if you set me off I'll burst into flames
If you provoke me, I will become furious.
Well it's a baptism by fire, breathe in the heat
It's undergoing a difficult experience in which I have to face my fears directly.
This does odd things to a man and
It can have strange and unpredictable effects on a person.
Love is strange
Romantic affection has an unusual power to influence people's emotions and behavior.
Skeleton man he says "I don't care"
A person with no emotions states they are indifferent.
A chest left empty of the heart's affairs
A person's heart is devoid of emotions, like love or empathy.
Well, it can carry other things that weigh much less
The heart can occupy itself with other, less important concerns.
And a head all hollowed out leaves me alone
A person's thoughts lack substance and leave them isolated.
And I can get some rest
Being detached from emotions provides a momentary respite from pain and distress.
Secrets, little secrets, when I'm not here
People keep hidden things from me when I am absent.
And skeleton men and friends reappear
The same people who distance themselves during hard times return in good times.
So if you see me acting out, you should know
If I display bizarre behavior, you should understand the reasons behind it.
Hands and knees knelt down and scraped, skin replaced bone
After being brought down low, I learned to toughen up.
I once was a skeleton
I used to be empty inside and devoid of emotions.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
A sarcastic laugh that covers up real pain.
When someone loves you very much
When someone deeply cares for you,
You're fucked
You're in trouble or for a surprise you might not be ready for.
Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.