The band started in summer 2006 by Andrew Savage, later joined by Daniel Zeigler whom Savage met while attending the University of North Texas in Denton. The bands earlier material, from the self-released demo and "Remember Me as a Silhouette" 7", was lo-fi, poppy and often compared to early '90s indie rock. The band's first full length was Queer Salutations, released in 2007. Shortly after the release of Queer Salutations the band embarked on its first tour. The band is decidedly DIY, keeping all recording, songwriting, booking and visual art within the band. Teenage Cool Kids spent much of 2008 touring the United States and recording their next album. In 2009 the band was issued a cease and desist by Chicago hip-hop duo The Cool Kids over alleged trade mark infringement. The dispute ended with a settlement initiated by the Cool Kids. The dispute delayed the band's second LP release by several months, but in June 2009 Foreign Lands was released by Protagonist Music.
Albums:
Queer Salutations (2007, Protagonist)
Foreign Lands (2009, Protagonist)
Denton After Sunset (2011, Dull Tools)
Singles:
Remember Me As a Silhoutte (2007, C&C Music Factory)
Speaking in Tongues b/w Crucial Talk (2009, Copper Lung)
Poison Sermons (2009, Leroy St. Records)
Band members:
Andrew Savage (Fergus & Geronimo, Parquet Courts)
Bradley Kerl
Chris Pickering
Daniel Zeigler (Wiccans)
Self Abuse
Teenage Cool Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The first verse of the song "Self Abuse" by Teenage Cool Kids reveals the singer's frustration with a person who seems to push them to the brink of silence. It seems that the singer has been wanting to express something significant, but this person has made it difficult for them to do so. The second verse depicts a conversation between the singer and the same person, in which they ask about their current situation. The person reveals that their boyfriend drinks too much, they're feeling disconnected, and their job has been causing problems.
The third verse is perhaps the most emotive in the song, showcasing the singer's feelings of frustration and anger. They have received a letter from the person, and they're about to tell them everything that's on their mind. They say that they've tried to find the right words to say, but they've settled on "self-abuse." This line indicates that the singer is both frustrated and disappointed in the other person's behavior, and that they see it as being self-destructive.
The final verse of the song seems to be a reflection on the singer's own emotional state. They reveal that they're lying in bed, sweating out a war, and wondering if this other person sees them as just another moment that's passed. This ending is poignant and sad, highlighting the singer's feelings of hurt and disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
There's so little I have left to scream about.
I've pretty much exhausted everything I can say about this situation.
I cant push out another word on your account.
I'm done with taking all the blame for everything wrong in this relationship.
And I cant pretend to tell the truth if you fight back when I say what I wanted to.
You always argue with me when I try to be honest about how I'm feeling.
Do you remember last semester?
Remember the time I was yelling and you thought I'd lost it?
You were so exhausted I was yelling out a lung and you said I'd lost it.
You didn't understand why I was so upset and it was frustrating.
You had covered my mouth so I asked you in my head.
When you covered my mouth, I silently questioned if you were happy with your situation.
Are you feeling unsatisfied now with your situation?
Are you happy with where we are at in our relationship right now?
Your boyfriend drinks too much and you and he are out of touch and you went to your job the other day.
You're having issues with your boyfriend and it's affecting your work life.
You were insulted by a customer and cried you said its hardly worth your wage.
Your job isn't treating you well, and you don't feel like it's worth it.
I just checked the mail today on my way out.
I received your letter today and I'm about to respond to it.
I got the letter that you sent, the words you wrote, and I'm about to start telling you exactly what I think about your latest move.
I received your letter and I'm about to tell you how I feel about what you did.
Tried to find the words to put to you, tried em' all and settled on self abuse.
I can't find the right words to say to you, so I'm hurting myself in the process.
I've got a box of your old things that when you left you gave me I pull it out sometimes to remind me of the mess we made.
I still have reminders of our past together and sometimes it's hard to forget.
I was over just the other day.
I recently visited you.
You were there lying on your bed, sad in the dark, I gave you something I had made.
You were in a bad place and I tried to comfort you with something I made.
I lie in bed thinking, sweating out a war.
I can't stop thinking about our problems, and they're taking a toll on me.
Pillow sheets are puddled, dripping from the fight the night before.
I can't sleep, and my sheets are soaked in sweat from the arguments we had.
Are you fine with telling me that I'm just another moment that has passed, another breath you let slip free?
Are you okay with just dismissing all of our time together as nothing important?
Contributed by Henry H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@throatculture4700
This record forever and ever.
@MenAndWomenBand
Settled on self abuse I was gonna write you back but fell asleep instead I've got a box of your old things
@KING_BUMMER
I just wish it was louder
@KING_BUMMER
I also deeply appreciate you for having this.
@gregoryconway5213
tigers jaw is terrible
@JarobTV
"like" if you just came from Tigers jaw " I Saw Water"