In February 2009, she officially changed her stage name to Santigold as a result of infomercial jeweller Santo Gold threatening legal action against White and her label Downtown Records.
White was lead singer of the Philadelphia-based punk rock band Stiffed, but while in the band, she was offered a solo contract. Working with fellow Stiffed member John Hill as co-producer, she recorded her debut album, Santogold, which was released in April 2008. Upon the change of her stage name, her label Downtown Records issued this press release:
"Change the graffiti on the bathroom wall, get your tattoo fixed, get your T-shirt airbrushed and change the name on your year-end list: Santogold is now Santigold. She's not telling you why, that's just how it is."
My Horror
Santigold Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think I got a, a hole in my head
I think all the numbness finally sank in
It's making my head decay, head decay
When I walk by they screamin'
"Isn't anybody home in there, home in there?"
I know when they wind me up
I can make it through hell and back, hell and back
Me in my horror
A day in my horror
Me in my horror
Just a day in my horror
Roll right over out of bed
I don't even know what day it was
Ohh
Here I come, there I go
I can't feel, it's like I'm paralyzed
Ohh
Look around and see they dead too
Wonder who is runnin' this town
Ohh
It's my life, I'm inside
But I'm outside it like a passenger
Hey you, hey you
Think I got a, a hole in my head
I think all the numbness finally sank in
It's making my head decay, head decay
When I walk by they screamin'
"Isn't anybody home in there, home in there?"
I know when they wind me up
I can make it through hell and back, hell and back
Me in my horror
A day in my horror
Me in my horror
Just a day in my horror
Roll right over out of bed
I don't even know what day it was
Ohh
Move so fast I have to ask
Did it happen, did I make it up?
Ohh
Just a story in my head
It's all a dream I keep on telling myself
Ohh
Some kind of death but something left
Feel it blossoming inside my heart
Me in my horror
A day in my horror
Me in my horror
Just a day in my horror
In Santigold's song "My Horror," the singer contemplates the numbness and detachment she feels from the world around her. She suggests that something is fundamentally broken inside her, as if there is a "hole in my head," and this has led to a sense of decay. Despite the fact that she feels like a passenger in her own life, Santigold perseveres and acknowledges that she can make it through even the toughest challenges ("I know when they wind me up/I can make it through hell and back").
Santigold's lyrics convey a feeling of existential angst that many people can relate to. The repetition of the phrase "Me in my horror, a day in my horror" emphasizes a sense of daily struggle and the feeling of being trapped in an unpleasant reality. The imagery of paralysis and decay serves to underscore this message. Ultimately, however, Santigold suggests that even in the midst of horror and decay, we can find a way to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey you, hey you
Addressing someone, likely the audience or someone specific
Think I got a, a hole in my head
Feeling like something is missing or that there's a void in her life
I think all the numbness finally sank in
Acknowledging that she's become numb to her surroundings or emotions
It's making my head decay, head decay
The numbness is affecting her mentally and emotionally, causing decay
When I walk by they screamin'
People are noticing her behavior and reacting
"Isn't anybody home in there, home in there?"
People are questioning her state of mind
I know when they wind me up
She's aware of how others perceive her and knows how to react
I can make it through hell and back, hell and back
She's confident in her ability to overcome difficult situations
Me in my horror
Describing her current emotional state
A day in my horror
Every day feels like a nightmare
Roll right over out of bed
Getting up in the morning is difficult
I don't even know what day it was
She's lost track of time
Here I come, there I go
Her movements feel aimless or without purpose
I can't feel, it's like I'm paralyzed
She lacks the ability to feel anything
Look around and see they dead too
Noticing that others around her are also emotionally numb
Wonder who is runnin' this town
Questioning who's in charge or responsible for her current state of mind
It's my life, I'm inside
Acknowledging that she's in control of her own life
But I'm outside it like a passenger
Feeling disconnected from her own life, almost like an outsider looking in
Move so fast I have to ask
Life feels like a blur, moving too quickly
Did it happen, did I make it up?
Uncertain if certain events really took place
Just a story in my head
Acknowledging that some thoughts or memories may not be true
It's all a dream I keep on telling myself
Trying to convince herself that some things aren't real
Some kind of death but something left
Feeling like a part of her has died, but she's still alive
Feel it blossoming inside my heart
Something new is growing or developing within her emotionally
Me in my horror
Final line, repeating the overall theme of the song
A day in my horror
Repeating the chorus for emphasis
Me in my horror
Repeating the overall theme of the song
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alexander Ridha, Martin McKinney, Naeem Juwam, Rostam Batmanglij, Santi White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
alex_rogan
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.
Everything remains exactly as it was.
I am I, and you are you,
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just round the corner.
All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
Henry scott-holland
Jeroni Mo
Santigold still massively underrated. One of the most inspirational and creative artists of our generation.
Jeff the Gent
I hear ya. I really love her and have often wanted to see her commercial success match her level of innovation.
But I find comfort in knowing that she’s had great longevity. That’s something that a lot of artists don’t have, even after scoring huge hit singles and albums.
John Boyzan
There’s still no denying that her albums have declined in quality since her debut
Christopher Perkins
I've had this exact thought several times. Though you never know if the music would be the same with the highest success where there is so much pressure to do what others want.
Lai Maraz
underrated? her music has been in so many popular movies and tv series as a soundtrack!
Daniel Martins
Good because whatevr becomes popular turns to SHIT. Santigold is a TRUE ARTIST and doing very successful and she is exactly where she has to be...
Brian McFarland
When I first heard les artistes in 08’ I was immediately struck by her sound. She needs to be so much more famous
Jason Moore
I agree
Andrea Winnett
My mom passed a few months ago. I needed new music from you. Thank you.
Mr Matt
This album really helped me too