<… Read Full Bio ↴Nelson Gatlin is a singer-songwriter and folk musician from Foley, AL.
Nelson currently plays regular shows in Pensacola, FL with his band Happymask.
Nelson started out in 2008 under the moniker Color Earth, an experimental project emphasizing styles ranging from post-rock to acoustic pop.
Nelson moved on to fronting the short-lived rock band Helen Keller in 2012 and later playing drums for The Ids with fellow member Jonni Greth.
A couple of years later, Nelson drummed for Pensacola, FL band Atlantis Morissette, the first full-band project fronted by Al Mirabella in 2014.
Nelson later drummed for math-rock band if/then with fellow Pensacola artist Jollan starting with their conception in 2017 to their dissolution in 2018.
Nelson formed Happymask in 2019 with drummer Ty, guitarist of Surrounder, and Andrew H, former lead singer of Youth Creatures.
Haunted
Nelson Gatlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The liar's game, dressed in red and shame
I don't play that way
I was two weeks late for my own trial
But I passed in style
Talking to strangers in a bar I'd never been before
About how the moon falls around the Earth
And I'd felt for once like I had the brains
To make someone proud
I feel you, man
Out there on your own
Moonlight shines on farmhouses and summer fields
My hand is clenched tight around my knife
As I walk my road, I am followed back home
I am haunted by you
And your spotted red dress
Those pearls around your neck
Your dimpled chin, silver-blue eyes
Long dark hair and pleasure sighs
And I know, I'm probably not your kind
I'm not handsome or fine
I don't shut up like a man
I talk too much
With my bleeding heart out in my hands
I'm a leader, with a quiet voice, unheard
You'll never hear a word
They'd rather be sleeping
And I'd rather fall down sideways
Fall down sideways, into my head
Talk myself to sleep
And dream of you
Fall down sideways, into those pools
Where I will drown
Never to wake up
No offense, I want you out of my head
I kind of like where I am
The fighter's game, dress up in my name
I don't want to play anymore
Because I'd felt for once like I had the brains
To make myself proud
In Nelson Gatlin's song "Haunted," the lyrics speak to themes of isolation, longing, and self-doubt. The opening lines, "Sycophants climb over the dead, just to get to where I am, the liar's game, dressed in red and shame, I don't play that way," suggest a feeling of being surrounded by insincere people who are only interested in personal gain. The singer distances himself from this game of deceit, refusing to conform to societal norms.
The song continues with the singer engaging in a conversation with a stranger at a bar about the moon's relationship with the Earth. This metaphorical discussion alludes to their own struggles with feeling connected to others, expressing a sense of falling around their words and searching for validation. Despite their insecurities, they momentarily feel intelligent and seek to make someone proud of them.
The chorus reveals that the singer feels haunted by a person who is described with vivid physical details such as a spotted red dress, pearls, and silver-blue eyes. These descriptions indicate a deep longing and desire for connection with this individual, despite the singer's self-awareness that they may not fit what the other person typically desires. They recognize their own shortcomings, describing themselves as not handsome or fine, someone who talks too much and bears their bleeding heart in their hands. The singer admits to being unheard, with a quiet voice in a world that prefers those who are sleeping.
Towards the end of the song, the singer expresses a desire to escape from their own thoughts and fall into a dream world where the haunting presence of the person they long for becomes their reality. They acknowledge that they don't want this individual to linger in their thoughts, but at the same time, they admit to finding solace in their current state of isolation.
Overall, "Haunted" delves into the complexities of personal insecurities, yearning, and the longing for connection. It reflects the struggle to find validation and acceptance, while also recognizing the limitations and self-doubts that hold us back.
Line by Line Meaning
Sycophants climb over the dead, just to get to where I am
People who flatter and seek favor from others are willing to step over those who have already suffered in order to achieve the same level of success as me
The liar's game, dressed in red and shame
Engaging in deception and dishonesty, and feeling deep guilt and embarrassment as a result
I don't play that way
I refuse to participate in such deceitful behavior
I was two weeks late for my own trial
I was delayed and unprepared for the consequences of my actions
But I passed in style
However, I managed to handle it with grace and finesse
Talking to strangers in a bar I'd never been before
Engaging in conversations with unfamiliar people at a previously unfamiliar place
About how the moon falls around the Earth
Discussing the orbit of the moon around the Earth
Like how I fall around my words
Similar to how I stumble and struggle with expressing myself
And I'd felt for once like I had the brains
For a moment, I felt intelligent and capable
To make someone proud
To impress and bring joy to someone
I feel you, man
I understand and empathize with you
Out there on your own
Navigating through life independently
Moonlight shines on farmhouses and summer fields
The gentle glow of moonlight illuminates rural areas and agricultural landscapes
My hand is clenched tight around my knife
I hold onto my weapon tightly
As I walk my road, I am followed back home
As I go about my journey, I am accompanied by a haunting presence that follows me to my residence
I am haunted by you
I am tormented and consumed by thoughts of you
And your spotted red dress
And the distinctive red dress with patterns or spots that you often wear
Those pearls around your neck
The necklace adorned with pearls that grace your neckline
Your dimpled chin, silver-blue eyes
The charming indentation on your chin and mesmerizing eyes with a silvery-blue hue
Long dark hair and pleasure sighs
Your luscious, dark hair and the contented sounds you make
And I know, I'm probably not your kind
I am aware that I may not fit your preferences or be your ideal partner
I'm not handsome or fine
I am not conventionally attractive or refined
I don't shut up like a man
I do not conform to societal expectations of men being silent or reserved
I talk too much
I tend to be overly talkative
With my bleeding heart out in my hands
Wearing my emotions on my sleeve, vulnerable and exposed
I'm a leader, with a quiet voice, unheard
Despite being a leader, my opinions and ideas often go unnoticed or remain unheard
You'll never hear a word
You will never truly listen or pay attention to what I have to say
They'd rather be sleeping
Others prefer to be ignorant or oblivious
And I'd rather fall down sideways
I personally would prefer to stumble and deviate from the expected path
Fall down sideways, into my head
Immerse myself deeply in my thoughts and introspection
Talk myself to sleep
Engage in self-reflection as a means to find peace and rest
And dream of you
In my dreams, you occupy my thoughts and fantasies
Fall down sideways, into those pools
Plunge into the depths and complexities of my emotions
Where I will drown
To the point where I will be overwhelmed and consumed
Never to wake up
Forever trapped in a state of unconsciousness and yearning
No offense, I want you out of my head
I hope you understand, but I desire to rid myself of thoughts about you
I kind of like where I am
I am content with my current state
The fighter's game, dress up in my name
Engaging in the competitive nature of life, where one must assume various personas and personas in order to succeed
I don't want to play anymore
I no longer wish to participate in this exhausting game
Because I'd felt for once like I had the brains
Because, on a rare occasion, I felt intelligent and capable
To make myself proud
To achieve personal success and satisfaction
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Nelson Gatlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind