Trask composed the music and lyrics for the off-Broadway stage musical and 2001 film Hedwig and the Angry Inch, about a genderqueer rock star named Hedwig. In the show, Trask's real-life band Cheater performed as Hedwig's band "The Angry Inch". He received an Obie Award for the play and a Grammy award nomination for the movie.
He has also done two films with filmmaker Paul Weitz. He composed the score for 2004's In Good Company and American Dreamz, for which he also co-wrote the numerous songs the contestants sing. In addition, he scored the 2003 movie Camp: A Comedy about Drama, and The Station Agent.
Trask lives in Lexington, KY and is openly gay.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Trask
Freaks
Stephen Trask Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We are freaks stand back and that's that
We are freak we fuck who we please and do what we choose
We look bad we're not disease or confused
We are freaks we are butch we are fem
We are freaks look at him look at them
We are freaks I know this guy who can suck his own dick
And my mother has a friend who has 3 tits
We are freaks we follow
We are freaks stand back and that's that
We are freaks we fuck who we please and do what we choose
We look bad we're not disease or confused
One of us one of us
One of us one of us
One of us one of us
One of us one of us
One of us one of us
One of us one of us
One of us one of us
One of us one of us
One of us one of us
One of us one of us
One of us one of us
One of us one of us
And then I thought I was a freak when I shaved my head and pierced my dick
Walks like a lumberjack and talks like a lady
With the flannel shirt, steel toe boots, Levi's faded
All hail
She's the king, she's the queen
All hail of the freaks, all the freaks on the scene
From the Bows of the Bowery to the bustle of Bombay
She's the bearded lady of Avenue A
That's the way God planned it
That's the way
That's the way God planned it
That's the way
That's the way God planned it
That's the way
That's the way God planned it
That the way
All hail
She's the king, she's the queen
All hail of the freaks, all the freaks on the scene
From the Bows of the Bowery to the bustle of Bombay
She's the bearded lady of Avenue A
That's the way God planned it
That's the way
That's the way God planned it
That's the way
That's the way God planned it
That's the way
That's the way God planned it
That the way
(lyrics may not be exact, interpreted at best)
Song written by Stephen Trask
Performed with Girls Against Boys
The song "Freaks" by Stephen Trask is an anthem for all those who have ever felt like outsiders or "freaks" in society. The lyrics communicate a sense of rebellion and empowerment, as the "freaks" reject mainstream norms and embrace their individuality. The first verse emphasizes this rejection of conformity, with lines like "We look bad we're not disease or confused" and "We are freaks we follow the code of freaks." The second verse celebrates the diversity within the "freak" community, with lines like "We are freaks I know this guy who can suck his own dick/ And my mother has a friend who has 3 tits." The third verse introduces a specific character, a bearded lady who is hailed as the king/queen of the "freaks" and is celebrated as a symbol of God's plan.
Overall, the song "Freaks" is a call to embrace and celebrate one's individuality, to resist societal pressures to conform, and to find strength and solidarity within a community of "freaks." It is a bold and powerful statement that encourages listeners to reject societal norms and truly be themselves, no matter how unconventional or "freakish" they may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
We are freaks we follow the code of freaks
We, as individuals who are different from what society deems as 'normal', adhere to our own set of principles and values, embracing our uniqueness.
We are freaks stand back and that's that
We cannot change who we are, so society must accept us for who we are without trying to pressure us into being anything different.
We are freak we fuck who we please and do what we choose
We do not conform to social norms and expectations, therefore, we are free to make our own choices and do whatever we want in our personal lives.
We look bad we're not disease or confused
Just because we look different, it does not mean that we are sick or confused. We are confident in our identity and should not be judged based on our appearance alone.
We are freaks we are butch we are fem
There is no one way to be a 'freak'. We come in all forms, and it is essential to understand, acknowledge and accept each other's differences.
We are freaks look at him look at them
We recognize that we are different from mainstream society, and we embrace this difference while also acknowledging the diversity within our own community.
We are freaks I know this guy who can suck his own dick
Within our community, we are comfortable and accepting of each other's sexuality and sexual preferences, which may not be considered mainstream or typical.
And my mother has a friend who has 3 tits
As we are often considered outsiders, even our friends and families may have characteristics outside the norm, but we stand by them and do not judge them based on these differences.
One of us one of us ...
By repeating 'one of us' over and over, we affirm that while we may be different, we are all still part of the same community and should support and celebrate each other.
And then I thought I was a freak when I shaved my head and pierced my dick
The singer recognizes that they were once self-conscious about aspects of their identity that made them feel like an outsider, but they have since come to embrace and accept themselves.
Walks like a lumberjack and talks like a lady ...
The singer is describing what may be considered a 'gender-bending' appearance and behavior, celebrating the individual's uniqueness and embracing the idea that there is no one way to be a 'man' or 'woman'.
All hail ...
By saying 'all hail', the singer is encouraging everyone to show respect, admiration, and recognition of the beauty and individuality of those within the 'freak' community.
She's the king, she's the queen ...
Referring to someone as both 'king' and 'queen' shows that there is no gender binary in the 'freak' community, and that people can be both masculine and feminine, or something else entirely.
From the Bows of the Bowery to the bustle of Bombay ...
Freaks can be found all over the world, in different cultures and communities - the 'freak' community is not defined by any one location or group of people.
She's the bearded lady of Avenue A ...
The 'bearded lady' may be seen as a caricature of freaks, but by embracing and celebrating this identity, the song shows that the 'freak' community does not shy away from embracing and owning their unique attributes and quirks.
That's the way God planned it ...
The repetition of this line suggests that people's differences are not something to be ashamed of, but instead, a part of a divine plan or purpose.
That the way ...
By saying 'that the way' instead of 'that's the way', the song suggests that people's differences are not a mistake or a deviation from the norm, but rather a valid and essential part of the human experience.
Writer(s): Stephen Trask Copyright: So Do My Songs, Emi April Music Inc.
Contributed by Elena I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.