With limited time to write and record each album, the songs tend to be short, often with improvised and comedic lyrics. All of their albums have a runtime of under 30 minutes.
The band documents their writing and recording process for each album on YouTube:
Ten Hours
Gourmet Ravioli
Gotta Record Everything Good
CHAOS
Across The Road
Headless
First of October Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never need to wear a hood
I can’t ride a bike, I don’t have a Porsche
‘Cause the headless horseman has a headless horse
Headless
I’m headless
Ichabod has nothing to fear
When it comes to bridges, when it comes to ridges, I just stay off
‘Cause when the headless horseman has a headless horse it’s just chaos
Headless
I’m headless
My dentist doesn’t make much money
In the song "Headless" by First of October, the lyrics portray a sense of aimlessness and confusion. The singer describes stumbling around the woods, emphasizing that they never need to wear a hood, which suggests a lack of direction or purpose. This could symbolize a general feeling of being lost or disconnected from their surroundings.
The mention of not being able to ride a bike or own a fancy car like a Porsche implies a sense of inadequacy or not fitting in with societal expectations. The line, "‘Cause the headless horseman has a headless horse," is intriguing as it introduces a supernatural element to the narrative. It suggests that even a figure as legendary as the headless horseman can also experience a sense of emptiness or confusion.
The repetition of "headless" throughout the song emphasizes this feeling of being untethered and lacking guidance. The reference to Ichabod, who is typically associated with the headless horseman in Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," implies that the singer feels safe from any potential harm by avoiding bridges and ridges. This avoidance could symbolize a fear of taking risks or facing challenges.
The last line, "My dentist doesn't make much money," seems unrelated to the rest of the lyrics but could serve as a metaphorical comment on the singer's own lack of direction or stability in life. It suggests a lack of prosperity or a failure to find success in a conventional sense.
Overall, "Headless" by First of October captures a sense of aimlessness and confusion, using imagery from the legend of the headless horseman to illustrate a feeling of being lost and disconnected.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m stumbling around the woods
I am aimlessly moving through life, unsure of where I am going
I never need to wear a hood
I have no need to hide my true intentions or identity
I can’t ride a bike, I don’t have a Porsche
I lack material possessions and skills that are often associated with success
‘Cause the headless horseman has a headless horse
The one who should have power and control is equally powerless and chaotic
Headless
I am without purpose or direction
I'm headless
I am lost and disconnected
I’m flailing all around over here
I am struggling and making erratic movements in this situation
Ichabod has nothing to fear
I do not instill fear or intimidation in others like Ichabod does
When it comes to bridges, when it comes to ridges, I just stay off
I avoid confrontations and challenges, preferring to stay away from potential conflicts
‘Cause when the headless horseman has a headless horse it’s just chaos
When someone who is already lacking control has an equally unstable companion, it leads to disorder
My dentist doesn’t make much money
Even my dental professional does not earn a substantial income, highlighting financial struggles
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANDREW HUANG, ROBERT SCALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind