Needles was born Aaron Coady on November 28, 1981 in Newton, Iowa. He has been candid in discussing his childhood years growing up in Iowa as a difficult time when he faced anti-gay and anti-"outsider" harassment, which prompted his to drop out of school before he could complete his high school education. In 2004, Needles moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he began working as a professional drag performer in nightclubs and various other venues with the drag troupe "the Haus of Haunt", which Needles describes as "one punk rock, messy mash up of very talented, fucked up weirdos."
In November 2011, it was announced that Needles had been selected to compete as a contestant on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. The series premiered on January 30, 2012, and Needles was an instant stand-out for his "ghoulish" fashion sense and unconventional make-up choices. On the night of the premiere episode, Entertainment Weekly columnist Tanner Stransky hailed Needles' macabre style as "drop dead genius" and rhetorically asked "Is Sharon Needles the most 'sickening' (a drag term for 'fabulous') contestant ever?"
In a departure from previous seasons of Drag Race, where rumors of previous winners had leaked before the final episodes could air, the decision was made not to pre-tape the finale episode announcing the season's winner. Instead, RuPaul decided to give fans an opportunity to voice their opinions as to who should win before taping of the final episode on April 25, 2012. For the taping, three outcomes were filmed announcing each of the "final 3" as the winner, with the true outcome only known to RuPaul and a select few involved in the editing.The finale episode aired on April 30, 2012, when it was announced that Needles had been crowned "America's Next Drag Superstar".
In June 2012, Needles won the Facebook vote to appear as a contestant on RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race, but declined, as the reigning champion, to participate in the competition.[16] He also confirmed that his replacement in the competition would be fellow RuPaul's Drag U professor and the runner-up in the Facebook voting, Pandora Boxx.
Needles became a horror host in October 2012 when he began presenting horror and suspense films airing on the Logo network under the series title Fearce!
In April 2013, Needles was featured on the single "RuPaulogize," from Willam Belli's debut album The Wreckoning.
In October 2012, Needles became the face of an advertising campaign by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals promoting vegetarianism, appearing on billboards throughout the United States.
Needles lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Needles had a 4 year relationship with fellow RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Alaska Thunderfuck; they broke up in 2013.
Everyday Is Halloween
Sharon Needles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And other things that go bump in the night
'Cause to me everyday is Halloween
I've given up hiding and started to fight
Yeah I've started to fight
Well any time any place anywhere that I go
All the people seem to stop and stare
They say "Why are you dressed like it's Halloween?
Oh
Why can't I live a life for me
Why should I take the abuse that's served
Why can't they see they're just like me
It's the same it's the same in the whole wide world
It's the same it's the same in the whole wide world
Well I let their teeny minds think
That they're dealing with someone who is over the brink
Well I dress this way just to keep them at bay
'Cause Halloween is every day
Oh, why can't I live a life for me
Why should I take the abuse that's served
Why can't they see they're just like me
It's the same it's the same in the whole wide world
It's the same it's the same in the whole wide world
Why can't I live a life for me
Why should I take the abuse that's served
Why can't they see they're just like me
It's the same, it's the same in the whole wide
Why can't I live a life for me
Why should I take the abuse that's served
Why can't they see they're just like me
It's the same, it's the same in the whole wide world
The whole wide world
The whole wide world
The lyrics to Sharon Needles's song Everyday is Halloween offer a poignant and relatable message for people who feel misunderstood or out of place in their everyday lives. The song metaphorically juxtaposes Halloween - a holiday known for dressing up in costumes and embracing one's weirdness - with the normal day-to-day drudgery of life. The singer describes living with snakes and lizards, implying that she embraces the creepy and unusual aspects of herself on a daily basis. She has "given up hiding and started to fight," suggesting that she is done with pretending to be someone she's not and is now standing up for herself.
The second stanza of the song delves deeper into the singer's struggle to be accepted for who she is. People stop and stare at her, asking why she dresses the way she does, as if there's something wrong with her. She questions why she should have to take the abuse that's served to her just because she's different. The repetitiveness of the chorus reinforces the idea that the singer feels stuck in this pattern of being misunderstood and mistreated, despite the fact that she knows there are others in the world who feel the same way she does. Ultimately, the song celebrates the power of individualism and self-acceptance, encouraging listeners to embrace their inner freak and fight back against those who would try to stomp out their light.
Line by Line Meaning
I live with snakes and lizards
I surround myself with unconventional creatures to show my love for the spooky and unexpected.
And other things that go bump in the night
I also welcome the mysterious and unknown into my life, as it keeps things interesting and unpredictable.
'Cause to me everyday is Halloween
I embrace the holiday of Halloween every single day by dressing up and expressing myself through my fashion and creativity.
I've given up hiding and started to fight
Instead of hiding my true self or conforming to societal norms, I have decided to fight back against those who try to suppress my individuality.
Well any time any place anywhere that I go
No matter where I am or who I am with, I continue to express my unique identity and refuse to be ashamed or embarrassed of it.
All the people seem to stop and stare
Others often stare or give me strange looks when I express myself, but I have learned to ignore their judgments and carry on with my life.
They say "Why are you dressed like it's Halloween?
Many people question my unconventional style and ask why I am dressed up as if it is Halloween every day.
You look so absurd, you look so obscene"
Some people even go so far as to call my appearance ridiculous or offensive, but I refuse to let their negativity bring me down.
Oh
This line serves as a transition or emotional cue, expressing the frustration or sadness that can come with being misunderstood or judged by others.
Why can't I live a life for me
I question why society cannot allow me to live my life on my own terms and be true to myself, without criticism or ridicule.
Why should I take the abuse that's served
I refuse to tolerate the mistreatment or judgment from others who disagree with my lifestyle or self-expression.
Why can't they see they're just like me
I wish others could understand that, despite our differences, we are all human beings with the same basic needs and desires for individuality and self-expression.
It's the same it's the same in the whole wide world
No matter where we come from or who we are, we all share the desire to express ourselves and live authentically.
Well I let their teeny minds think
I refuse to let the narrow-mindedness of others affect me or dictate my self-expression.
That they're dealing with someone who is over the brink
Others may view me as crazy, strange or abnormal, but I embrace my uniqueness and refuse to conform to societal norms.
Well I dress this way just to keep them at bay
My unconventional appearance can be used as a defense mechanism to keep others at a distance if I feel they are being judgmental or intolerant.
'Cause Halloween is every day
Halloween serves as an inspiration for me to express myself daily and never shy away from being different or unique.
The whole wide world
This final line serves as a reminder that no matter where we come from or who we are, we all have the right to live our lives authentically and express ourselves freely.
Contributed by Daniel F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.