Although a well known band in Provo, the band didn't receive nationwide exposure until late 2008 when they were chosen as openers for several of The Killers' North American tour dates. Not long after, the band was signed by major record label Mercury Records in early 2009. Additionally, the group was voted Band of the Year in 2009 by City Weekly, a popular Salt Lake City publication. Although they had several prior independent releases, the band released its debut album at Mercury/Def Jam, Habits, on March 16, 2010, with "Animal" as its lead single. The band performed "Animal" during their March 23, 2010 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the band toured opening for 30 Seconds To Mars and Mutemath throughout the Spring of 2010.
"Everybody Talk" was the first single from their sophomore album Picture Show. The single was released to Alternative Radio on December 7, 2011 and made available to digital retailers via Mercury Records on December 20, 2011. (Everybody Talks Songfacts)
Sins Of My Youth
Neon Trees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got these habits that I can't,
I've got these habits that I cannot, break.
I found life out on the weekdays
When we would drive to some new city
Call me crazy I was born to make a mess
Would you love me still if I were to confess
Too much fun
Back when I was young
I've got these habits that I cannot break
And as I'm older there is more at stake
Go ahead and call me fake but these are the sins
The sins of my youth
I break habits just to fall in love
But I do it on designer drugs
You can call me
Dangerous
But these are the sins
The sins of my youth
All these mainstream made emotions
Made me the boy that they wanted me to be
But
When I took down my defenses
For the first time there was something in me
Yeah something in me
Hot like a smoking gun
Back when I was young
I've got these habits that I cannot break
And as I'm older there is more at stake
Go ahead and call me fake but these are the sins
The sins of my youth
I break habits just to fall in love
But I do it on designer drugs
You can call me dangerous
But these are the sins
The sins of my youth
Would you love me still
Would
You love me still
Would you love me still
Would you love
I've got these habits
That I cannot
I've got these habits that I cannot
I've got these habits that I cannot break
The lyrics to "Sins of My Youth" by Neon Trees deal with the consequences of youthful mistakes that have developed into more significant problems as the character ages. The singer acknowledges his actions and the poor choices which he had made in his youth, despite being unable to break his habits. The specific habits are left unspecified, but it is suggested that they are dangerous, and he also tries to break them by suggesting that he falls in love with designer drugs. He wonders if his partner would put up with him if he were to confess his sins. The character then reflects on his life and realizes that the choices that he made earlier in his life have led to the present-day problems. The song strikes a tone of sorrow and regret.
The chorus of the song declares that the singer has habits that he cannot break, and now they have more significant implications in his life than they did before. He calls these habits the sins of his youth, and concludes that they define who he has become. It is a common theme in the song that the singer takes responsibility for his actions, owning up to his sins and not blaming anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got these habits that I cannot,
These habits have become a part of me and I cannot change them.
I've got these habits that I can't,
These habits are difficult for me to change or get rid of.
I've got these habits that I cannot, break.
No matter how much I try, these habits are hard to break.
I found life out on the weekdays
I discovered that weekdays were the best days to experience life.
When we would drive to some new city
We would go to a new city whenever we had the chance.
Call me crazy I was born to make a mess
I may be seen as crazy, but I think that making a mess is part of who I am.
Would you love me still if I were to confess
If I revealed my deepest secrets to you, would you still love me?
That I had a little
I did something that others may see as wrong or immoral.
Too much fun
I had a lot of fun, but it may have been excessive or even harmful to myself or others.
Back when I was young
When I was younger and more carefree.
And as I'm older there is more at stake
Now that I'm older, my actions have greater consequences and risks involved.
Go ahead and call me fake but these are the sins
You may think I'm not authentic, but these actions are truly my personal sins.
The sins of my youth
These are the mistakes I made when I was younger that still haunt me today.
I break habits just to fall in love
I change my behaviors just to attract or maintain a romantic relationship.
But I do it on designer drugs
I use drugs to enhance my romantic experiences or emotions.
You can call me, Dangerous
Others may see me as a risk-taker or reckless individual.
All these mainstream made emotions
These are the emotions that society deems as acceptable or normal.
Made me the boy that they wanted me to be
I acted according to society's expectations of a boy or man.
But, when I took down my defenses
When I became vulnerable and authentic, something inside me changed.
For the first time there was something in me
I discovered a new side of myself.
Hot like a smoking gun
This new side of myself was powerful and intense.
Would you love me still
Even though I may have made mistakes and have flaws, would you still love me?
Would you love, me still
Despite my imperfections, would you still love me?
I've got these habits
I have certain tendencies or behaviors that are hard for me to change.
That I cannot
These habits are difficult to get rid of or change.
I've got these habits that I cannot
These habits have become a part of me and I cannot easily let them go.
I've got these habits that I cannot break.
No matter how hard I try, these habits are difficult for me to change or get rid of.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: BRANDEN CAMPBELL, CHRISTOPHER ALLEN, ELAINE DOTY, TYLER GLENN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind