In 1969 the band were all arrested for possession of marijuana and Roky was incarcerated in Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane where he reportedly underwent electroshock therapy and was placed on Thorazine amongst other controversial treatments. Many claim he has never been the same since. Sadly in the intervening years record execs and managers displayed the bad side of the music business and took full advantage of his condition often leaving him living in poverty while they hoarded all the cash.
In 2001 Roky's youngest brother, Sumner Erickson (ex-tuba player for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), was appointed his legal guardian and an improvement in Roky's faculties has been reported since, leading to a return to live shows.
An excellent documentary on Roky, "You're gonna miss me" (2005), chronicled his troubled life - his schizophrenia, incarceration for possession of a joint, and talented and eccentric family.
I Think of Demons
Roky Erickson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They never kill
I, I, I think of demons
They never will
They don't need to
They'll scare it's true
I think of demons for you
First, first, first I read demon
With horns with black tips
First, first, first I read demon
With horns with black tips
Fangs in the dazed moonlight
Blood never touches my lips
I read demon never sips
Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer
Who's been waiting on you
Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer
Who's been waiting on you
Demon eyes and demons do
Wait until you come through
To be our leader
We've been waiting on you
For you
They don't need to
They'll scare it's true
I think of demons for you
The song "I Think of Demons" by Roky Erickson is a haunting and enigmatic piece that revolves around the idea of demons. The singer is portraying his thoughts about demons and how they never kill anyone, but they scare them to death. The chorus expresses his obsession with demons, how he thinks of them for someone he loves. This could be interpreted in two possible ways; either the singer wants to scare that person by thinking of demons, or he wants to show his love by protecting that person from the evil of the world.
The second verse talks more about the appearance of demons, describing them with horns and black tips. The singer never mentions what he read about demons, but he identifies that they have fangs under the dazed moonlight, and they never sip blood. The reference to Lucifer in the bridge shows a religious element of the song. The singer refers to Lucifer in a manner that suggests this entity is a being waiting for someone to lead. The last line of the song reiterates the theme of the song, that the demons do not need to kill to scare people.
The song provides a compelling view of the theme of demons. It is evident that the demons represent fear, insecurity, and anxiety in the human psyche. The fact that the singer thinks of them for someone he loves connotes that demons are not only related to evil but also in some way a source of protection.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I, I think of demons
They never kill
I, I, I think of demons
They never will
I often think about demons and how they never truly kill, nor will they ever. They don't necessarily need to kill to be scary, and I think of them for you.
They don't need to
They'll scare it's true
I think of demons for you
Demons don't need to kill to be terrifying, just the mere thought of them can be scary enough. I think about demons to instill fear in and on behalf of you.
First, first, first I read demon
With horns with black tips
First, first, first I read demon
With horns with black tips
The first thought that comes to mind when I read the word demon is one with black-tipped horns.
Fangs in the dazed moonlight
Blood never touches my lips
I read demon never sips
In my imagination, demons have sharp fangs that glisten in the moonlight. They may draw blood, but never drink it themselves.
Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer
Who's been waiting on you
Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer
Who's been waiting on you
I'm calling out to Lucifer, the devil, who I presume is awaited by demons. I'm trying to establish who or what has been expecting his arrival.
Demon eyes and demons do
Wait until you come through
To be our leader
We've been waiting on you
For you
Demons have a particular gaze that comes with waiting for someone's arrival. They await the arrival of their chosen leader, which they've been eagerly anticipating for you.
Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
allhell138
How some of Roky’s songs just haven’t been on classic rock stations for years already at this point, is fucking criminal...
Kevichi King
Couldn't agree more. Especially this. The production sounds just like all the late 70s/early 80s bands you can hear 3,349 times a day on the corporate "classic rock" stations.
Roger Branton
Well you're absolutely right about that but the system has always been very badly broken! Roky ain't the only great artist missing out on some deserved limelight....
Totino's Other Boy
Because classic rock radio sucks and wants to push a very specific image of what "classic rock" is
Stoned Meadow Of Doom
One of his finest moments. The songwriting just blows my mind. So much raw energy and gritty psych flourishes. Good luck getting these songs out of your head.
Frank Henzel
@marcelo I didn't know he was a nazi got a reason so I can unsubscribe
Spiced Chilly
@marcelo what
marcelo
@Spiced Chilly search for "Clint Beed" on google.
Evan Abbott
"Fangs in the days moonlight, blood never touches my lips..." One of the coolest fucking choruses ever! This is absolutely one of my all time favorite songs👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
We love you Roky!!!
Ronald Monge
It's so cool how he thinks of demons with such a relaxing & optimistic tune.