Royal Headache rose out of the bleak underground punk scene of Western Sydn… Read Full Bio ↴Royal Headache rose out of the bleak underground punk scene of Western Sydney, Australia in 2008. In part as a response to the gloomy post-punk bands happening at the time of its founding, the group infused its garage punk core with a hearty dose of '60s-inspired AM radio soul-pop. Going by foreshortened nicknames, the band consisted of Shogun on vocals, Joe on bass, Shortty on drums, and Law on guitar. The quartet quickly made a name for itself on the strength of a self-produced 7" and began playing locally. In 2011 the band released its self-titled debut LP on R.I.P. Society in Australia. The record was produced by Mikey Young, influential godfather of the Aussie punk scene and full-time member of Eddy Current Suppression Ring. This collection of incredibly catchy, punk-tinged power soul was met with a positive response almost across the board from the underground press, and gained the band much wider recognition. Tours of Europe and the United States followed, and in early 2012 the group's first record was re-released by What's Your Rupture? in America. Further success followed for the band as critical plaudits piled up and a tour of Australia with the Black Keys followed. The touring and lifestyle took a toll and in 2013 Shogun left the band. During their time apart Joe played in the band Bed Wetting Bad Boys and Shogun took on guitar duties for the group Low Life. The band reconvened to play some shows, including a tumultuous night at Sydney's Royal Opera House, and began working on its second album. Made up of songs that were begun around the time the first record was released, Royal Headache added some keyboards from friend Gabrielle De Giorgio, and worked to expand their sound. High was released in late August of 2015, again on What's Your Rupture?

Biography by Fred Thomas

Psychotic Episode
Royal Headache Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am the anti-psychotic,
I've tried a range of hypnotics.
I am the perfect advert for living impaired.
I'm trapped in a world inside,
Nowhere to run or to hide.
I've tried the leading brands.
But I don't get nowhere.

But a psychotic episode.
And I can't go out today,
Baby's had a psychotic episode
and I'm not feeling good.

Psychotic episode, doctor
How long will I stay,
baby's had a psychotic episode
and I'm not feeling good.

I went to see my doctor.
Felt like a helicopter.
He told me "Shogun, I think the symptoms will get worse"
I took the pills like he said.
No longer tried to use my head.
I'm feeling all the pain in the universe.

In a psychotic episode.
I don't wanna play baby.
and a psychotic episode.
and I'm not feeling good.

Psychotic episode.
How long will I stay,

Baby's in a psychotic episode
and I'm not feeling good.

Overall Meaning

The song "Psychotic Episode" by Royal Headache is a poignant insight into mental health issues from the perspective of someone struggling with a condition that they feel they have limited control over. The singer of the song is unable to escape the torment and turmoil that they experience internally, feeling trapped in a world that is not their own. The opening lyric, "I am the anti-psychotic, I've tried a range of hypnotics", speaks to the reality that the individual has tried various forms of medication to alleviate their symptoms but has found no relief. However, despite the difficulty, the singer still musters the strength to soldier on, declaring, "I am the perfect advert for living impaired".

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "psychotic episode", with the singer expressing their hopelessness and frustration at their inability to control the situation. The line "baby's had a psychotic episode, and I'm not feeling good" adds a layer of complexity to the song, as it implies that the singer may be struggling to deal with their mental health issues while also caring for a loved one who is dealing with similar challenges.

The final verse of the song has the singer seeking help from a medical professional, only to be told that their symptoms will likely worsen. The line "I'm feeling all the pain in the universe" speaks to the sense of overwhelm that those dealing with mental health issues can experience, with the weight of the world pressing down on them.

Overall, "Psychotic Episode" is a powerful and honest portrayal of the complexities of living with mental health issues.

Line by Line Meaning

I am the anti-psychotic,
I am someone who tries to prevent psychotic episodes.

I've tried a range of hypnotics.
I have taken various medications that cause drowsiness or sleepiness to treat my condition.

I am the perfect advert for living impaired.
My condition is so severe that I am an example of what it's like to live with impairments due to a psychotic episode.

I'm trapped in a world inside,
I feel like I am stuck in my own mind.

Nowhere to run or to hide.
I feel like there is no escape from my own thoughts and emotions.

I've tried the leading brands.
I have tried the most popular and commonly used medications to treat my condition.

But I don't get nowhere.
But I still don't feel like I am making any progress in improving my condition.

But a psychotic episode.
Despite my efforts to prevent it, I am currently experiencing a psychotic episode.

And I can't go out today,
My symptoms are so severe that I cannot leave my house today.

Baby's had a psychotic episode
The artist is referring to their partner or loved one who is also experiencing a psychotic episode.

and I'm not feeling good.
The singer is also experiencing symptoms and is not feeling well.

Psychotic episode, doctor
The artist is addressing a doctor and describing the current situation with a psychotic episode.

How long will I stay,
The singer is asking how long they will need to suffer from their symptoms and how long they will need to receive treatment for their condition.

I went to see my doctor.
The singer sought medical attention for their condition.

Felt like a helicopter.
The singer felt dizzy or disoriented and compares it to the feeling of being in a helicopter.

He told me "Shogun, I think the symptoms will get worse"
The doctor informed the artist that their condition is likely to deteriorate further.

I took the pills like he said.
The artist followed the doctor's orders and took medication as prescribed.

No longer tried to use my head.
The medication has a sedative effect and the singer no longer feels like they need to think or problem-solve as much.

I'm feeling all the pain in the universe.
The singer is experiencing intense emotional pain due to their condition.

I don't wanna play baby.
The artist does not want to engage in typical activities or social interactions due to their symptoms.

Psychotic episode.
The artist is still experiencing symptoms of a psychotic episode.

Baby's in a psychotic episode
The artist is referring to their loved one who is also still experiencing symptoms of a psychotic episode.

and I'm not feeling good.
The singer is still struggling with symptoms and is not feeling well.

How long will I stay,
The artist is still asking how long they will need to receive treatment and how long they will need to suffer from their symptoms.

Writer(s): christopher st. john, joseph davies griffith, lawrence hall, royal headache, timothy scott wall

Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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