The Freaks' sound was a combination of folk and rock, and drew heavily from the blues and primitive Americana music. Their lyrics focused on race, religion, and life in the South, although Harvey was also adept at writing about more personal topics (the lack of success of independent bands, his sex life) using rich metaphors from these former topics, so that many of their songs could be interpreted in two entirely different ways. Bryan's obsession with southern gothic issues influenced his song writing. These sentiments can be heard in such songs as "White Folk's Blood", "Family Tree" and "Big Houses" from the album "Tantilla".
Harvey and Hott moved to Los Angeles for the release of the band's first album, Monkey on a Chain Gang, which received considerable critical acclaim. However, unsatisfied with life in L.A., they moved back east, where they recorded their subsequent albums and faded from the public spotlight. Fans of the band universally consider Cakewalk and Tantilla to be the Freaks's best work.
On March 13, 1988, House of Freaks performed at the legendary Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, California with The 77s and The Alarm. Audience members included Neil Young.
After the band's breakup, Harvey and Hott joined a Paisley Underground supergroup called Gutterball, headed by Steve Wynn, formerly of Dream Syndicate and also featuring Stephen McCarthy of The Long Ryders and Bob Rupe of The Silos. The group released two albums, Gutterball (1993) and Weasel (1995). Harvey co-wrote many songs on each.
Hott later joined the band Cracker. Harvey has guested on a number of other artists' albums, including September 67's Lucky Shoe, two albums by Shannon Worrell (formerly of September 67), and Magnet's Shark Bait. Both Harvey and Hott assisted Mark Linkous on the debut Sparklehorse record. Bryan Harvey played in a funk band, NRG Krysys, in Richmond, Virginia with Coby Batty of The Fugs. Johnny Hott has a jazz combo with Stephen McCarthy.
On January 1st, 2006, Bryan Harvey, his wife Kathryn, and their daughters Stella and Ruby were found murdered in the basement of their Richmond home.
Never
House of Freaks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I saw you walking by
By my window
From my doorway
I thought I heard
Your voice
Calling me softly
Oh, but I've convinced myself
I don't miss you
Oh, I wanna tell you now
I never think of you
Night are lonely
And the days
Never
Goes by slowly
I sleep alone now
But I never
Never
Miss your embraces
oh, but I've convinced myself
I don't miss you
Oh, I wanna tell you now
I never think of you
What ever happened
To the love I had for you?
I never think of you
When I think of you
I don't think of you
I never think of you
The House of Freaks’s song "Never" is a melancholic, somber song about a failed relationship. The song starkly portrays the emotions that are felt after a breakdown of a relationship. The song starts with the singer seeing somebody walking past their window, whom they assume is their ex-lover. Similarly, in the second verse, the singer thinks they hear their voice. These moments do nothing but remind the singer of their past relationship and the memories associated with it.
The chorus of the song, "oh, but I've convinced myself I don't miss you, I wanna tell you now I never think of you," has a bittersweet tone to it. It's as if the singer is trying to convince themselves that they don't miss their ex-lover, yet the very act of convincing reaffirms how much they miss them. The end of the lyrics is particularly poignant: "What ever happened to the love I had for you? I never think of you when I think of you, I don't think of you, I never think of you." The line "I don't think of you, I never think of you" conveys a sense of detachment from the relationship when in reality, the singer thinks of nothing but their ex-lover.
Line by Line Meaning
From my window
Looking out my window
I thought I saw you walking by
I thought I saw you passing by
By my window
Near my window
From my doorway
Standing in my doorway
I thought I heard
I thought I heard something
Your voice
The sound of your voice
Calling me softly
Whispering my name gently
Oh, but I've convinced myself
But I've made myself believe
I don't miss you
I don't feel the absence of you
Oh, I wanna tell you now
I want to confess to you
I never think of you
I don't spend my thoughts on you
Night are lonely
Nights are lonesome
And the days
And during the days
Never
Nothing ever changes
Goes by slowly
Time moves slowly
I sleep alone now
I rest alone now
But I never
However, I never
Never
Absolutely never
Miss your embraces
Miss your loving embraces
What ever happened
What occurred
To the love I had for you?
To the affection I felt for you?
I never think of you
I don't spend my thoughts on you
When I think of you
When I do give thought to you
I don't think of you
You don't occupy my mind
I never think of you
I don't spend my thoughts on you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRYAN TABER HARVEY, JOHN DUDLEY HOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind