They released an EP After Dark (2003), and two studio albums The City Sleeps in Flames (2005) and Scary Kids Scaring Kids (2007) with the late member and lead vocalist Tyson Stevens. The band disbanded following a farewell tour in 2010.
Vocalist Tyson Stevens was found dead from a suspected heroin overdose on the morning of October 20, 2014 at the age of 29. On September 29, 2019, Scary Kids Scaring Kids released a song titled "Loved Forever" to honour what would have been a wish of Stevens's 34th birthday. The song was written by rhythm guitarist Chad Crawford and produced by Hiram Hernandez.
On November 18, 2019, members Crawford, Afkary and Costa announced that Scary Kids Scaring Kids would be reuniting for one more time for the 15 year anniversary tour of The City Sleeps in Flames release alongside touring members featuring ex-Saosin and Dead American frontman Cove Reber on vocals, Don Vedda on lead guitar and Jordan Flower on bass.
The band released a new album, "Out For Light" May 27, 2022, featuring different lead vocalists on each track, including Lil Lotus, Mod Sun, Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath, among others.
The band – which originally was composed of Tyson Stevens on bass guitar and lead vocals (later to be strictly the vocalist/song writer), guitarists Chad Crawford, DJ Wilson (later to switch to bass) and Steve Kirby, Pouyan Afkary on keyboards, and drummer Peter Costa – recorded their self-financed debut EP, After Dark, while they were still in high school.
Their debut album, The City Sleeps in Flames, was released on Immortal Records in 2005.
A self-titled second album was released on 28th November 2007.
A Pistol To My Temple
Scary Kids Scaring Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There would be something, would it be enough?
A pistol to my temple, pull the trigger like it's nothing
There would be something but it's never enough
This is all an illusion
What do you take me for?
I would give you my life but it just won't ever be enough
I hurt someone that loved you except that I felt nothing
That would be something, would it be enough?
I had everything you wanted, it shows to give you nothing
That would be something, this is all too much
This is all an illusion
What do you take me for?
It makes no difference what I do for you
I would give you my life but it just won't ever be enough
It makes no difference what I do for you
I would give you my life but it just won't ever be enough
I'm burning alive
With a pistol to my temple
If we don't believe this reason for living
Then we'll never know, do I wanna know?
If we don't believe this reason for living
Then we'll never know, do I wanna know?
If we just give up, give into the pressure
We're losing it all, we're losing control
It makes no difference what I do for you
I would give you my life but it just won't ever be enough
It makes no difference what I do for you
I would give you my life but it just won't ever be enough
(Would I give it all for you?)
The song "A Pistol To My Temple" by Scary Kids Scaring Kids explores the themes of desperation and futility in trying to please someone who does not appreciate or reciprocate the efforts put in. The lyrics paint a grim picture of the singer's willingness to end their life or sacrifice everything for the person they love, but ultimately realizing it would never be enough. The opening lines suggest the futility of such extreme measures as flying into a mountain or pointing a pistol to your temple, as there would always be something missing or unsatisfied even if they went ahead with it. The singer seems to have reached a point of desperation where they are willing to do anything to please the loved one and gain some form of validation or acknowledgement.
Throughout the song, the singer questions their worth and struggles to understand what the loved one thinks of them. The line "It makes no difference what I do for you/I would give you my life but it just won't ever be enough" encapsulates this sentiment perfectly, highlighting the futile nature of their attempts to please the other person. The chorus is repeated twice, depicting the singer's helplessness and desperation, while the bridge seems to be a call-to-action, urging the listener to contemplate the reason for living and the consequences of giving up.
Overall, "A Pistol To My Temple" is a haunting portrayal of the desperation and futility felt when trying to win someone's favor who is unreachable or indifferent. The song is a reminder of the importance of self-worth and not sacrificing oneself for the sake of someone else's pleasure.
Line by Line Meaning
If I flew into a mountain, burn myself to nothing
If I were to sacrifice everything and destroy myself entirely, what would be left of me?
There would be something, would it be enough?
Despite giving everything, would it satisfy your need for more?
A pistol to my temple, pull the trigger like it's nothing
Even if I ended my existence, would it matter to you at all?
There would be something but it's never enough
Despite all efforts, it never seems to be adequate or satisfactory.
This is all an illusion
None of it is real or permanent.
What do you take me for?
What is your perception of me?
It makes no difference what I do for you
Regardless of what I do for you, it does not impact your desires.
I would give you my life but it just won't ever be enough
I am willing to sacrifice everything for you but it will always fall short.
I hurt someone that loved you except that I felt nothing
I caused pain to someone who cared for you but I was emotionless about it.
That would be something, would it be enough?
Despite causing harm for your sake, would it satisfy your thirst for more?
I had everything you wanted, it shows to give you nothing
I possessed all that you desired but giving it to you resulted in nothing.
That would be something, this is all too much
Even though that would be considered noteworthy, the constant pressure to please you is overwhelming.
I'm burning alive with a pistol to my temple
The pressure and expectation to fulfill your needs is causing me intense emotional pain.
If we don't believe this reason for living, then we'll never know, do I wanna know?
If we do not have a purpose for existing, can we ever truly understand the meaning of our lives?
If we just give up, give into the pressure, we're losing it all, we're losing control
If we succumb to the demands and expectations of others, we are sacrificing our happiness and autonomy.
Would I give it all for you?
Would I be willing to sacrifice everything for your sake?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVE BASSETT, DAVID WILSON, JAMES ETHRIDGE, POUYAN AFKARY, STEPHEN KIRBY, TYSON STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind