The first time Sam Ray nearly died was when he was just a kid. Thrown into … Read Full Bio ↴The first time Sam Ray nearly died was when he was just a kid. Thrown into a pool by someone who didn’t know he’d never been able to swim, he struggled and thrashed about for a bit, but eventually, he ran out of energy and sank. “It was a true acceptance, complete and total serenity,” he remembers. “Then I got pulled outta the pool and I was thrown back into real life.” That peace has stuck with him over the last few years, as he’s grappled with health issues, watched the world slowly die around him, and worked, intensely, on his first new music as Teen Suicide in over half a decade.

In some ways, it’s the same sort of theme that's been on Ray's mind since he first launched the ever-evolving project—which began with a series of no-fi punk songs recorded at home with friends. The world doesn’t matter, life is inherently painful, but you always find a way forward amidst the bleakness. For his part, at 31, he finally feels grown-up, and a little more self-assured—his new songs offer less of the desperate emotional thrashing of his youth.

grim reaper
Teen Suicide Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm dropping out of school
I found a new
Job
Doing what I love
And you can't stop me now
Mom and dad
Sorry that you had
To find things out this way

But I guess you could say
It's better now with me
Being the one
To take your souls away

I wanna be the grim reaper
I wanna be the grim reaper
I wanna be the grim reaper
I wanna be the grim reaper

And nothing you say
Could change my mind

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are a reflection of the singer's desire to become the grim reaper, a symbol of death. The opening lines establish the singer's decision to drop out of school to pursue their new job. The job, which is not explicitly stated, is something that the singer loves, indicating that it is related to their obsession with death. The lyrics express the singer's sense of freedom in pursuing their new path and their acknowledgement that their parents will not approve. The lines "But I guess you could say / It's better now with me / Being the one / To take your souls away" suggest the singer's desire to take the role of the grim reaper by becoming the one to usher in the deaths of others.

The repetition of the phrase "I wanna be the grim reaper" is a clear indication of the singer's obsession with death. The desire to become the grim reaper can be seen as a manifestation of a deeper desire to be in control over life and death. By taking on this role, the singer is asserting their power over others and their own mortality. The final lines, "And nothing you say / Could change my mind" indicate that the singer is resolute in their decision and will not be swayed by the opinions of others.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm dropping out of school
I have decided to quit school and pursue my passion.

I found a new job
I have found a job that aligns with my interests and talents.

Doing what I love
I am now able to do what gives me happiness and fulfillment.

And you can't stop me now
Nothing can prevent me from achieving my goals and following my dreams.

Mom and dad
Addressing parents, acknowledging their disappointment.

Sorry that you had
Apologizing for my actions that have caused them distress.

To find things out this way
Referring to my sudden decision to drop out and pursue my passion without consulting them.

But I guess you could say
Attempting to justify my actions.

It's better now with me
Believing that I am living a better life now after making this decision.

Being the one
Referring to the artist's new role as the toxic influencer.

To take your souls away
Expressing the singer's desire to leave a lasting impression on their loved ones.

I wanna be the grim reaper
Desire to be the harbinger of death and control over it.

And nothing you say
I am not willing to listen to others' concerns or objections related to my decision.

Could change my mind
Assuring that no one can change the singer's decision, and it's final.

Contributed by Katherine D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@runforcovertube

6y↑7

American Pleasure Club’s (formerly known as Teen Suicide) new album ‘A Whole Fucking Lifetime of This’ is out 2/16, listen to “this is heaven & id die for it” right here: https://youtu.be/MtHifoG2kgM

@grizzly7613

3y↑25

can we all just take a moment and appreciate how beautiful this song is?

@geia

3y↑1

this whole album is beautiful, im blessed to have the vinyl record

@ErosVIII

4y↑8

I found out I lost my aunt just after listening to this song, and I loved this song, and still do. It will always make me think of her, and just annoys me that I wasnt close enough with her, she lived in the U.S and I live in the UK. I'd arranged to visit her so we could spend time together, it'd be my first time in the U.S. She then died unexpectedly and I don't think I could be more upset right now. This song just moves me so much

@chloerunyon3894

8y↑15

this is such a good song

@sophieskeldon2612

3y↑4

My favorite.

@sanmiittaigirlygaming5062

6y↑23

The first song I listened to, by Teen Suicide. <3

@RazorRampage

Me too, it has a very special place in my heart

@ashtaroh

2y↑10

If you have this kind of music taste, you are awesome, depressed and edgy and am not saying you are cringe you don't belong to cringe part, you are the rare diamond