ThouShaltNot have built strong fanbases through their national tours and their work with acts such as The Dresden Dolls, VNV Nation, Alphaville and David J (of Bauhaus). Their club hits "Cardinal Directions," "Without Faith," "Last Comfort," and "Inside of You, In Spite of You," have been played at nearly every dark alternative and goth venue in America, while their more organic "True Love" and "When Everyone Forgets" have appeared to acclaim on high profile compilations that exceed the limits of genre.
ThouShaltNot's music, throughout its thoughtful subject matter, is hook-laden and complex in its emotional and intellectual architecture. With their latest releases, Land Dispute and the New World EP, ThouShaltNot is poised to change the way you think and feel about music.
The band consists of: Alex Reed (vocals, keyboards, guitars, programming, samples), Aaron Fuleki (percussion, programming, samples, guitars, backing vocals) and Jeremy David (guitars, backing vocals, piano, keyboards, programming).
Trains
ThouShaltNot Lyrics
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Or have my nerves been sabotaged and stripped?
And I can't hear you anymore
Are you now stone silent, or are my ears clipped?
And I've been riding trains
Because I'm so afraid to drive
I'm whirling lifeless over metal tracks
And what paralysis is worse
That from the world or from inside?
And where's the borderline at which the two divide?
Wishing could be the motion at the window's edge
Is it owl wings or my eye's mistake?
If dreams just hold me hostage to electrical codes
Then how can you enact them when I wake?
And I've been riding trains
Because I'm so afraid to drive
I'm whirling lifeless over metal tracks
Too scared to stay alive
And what paralysis is worse
That from the world or from inside?
And where's the borderline at which the two divide?
I chase the trains forever
Hoping someday they will stop
I see myself through windows
And he doesn't care if I catch up
What destination do I reach
Somewhere ahead or lifetimes back?
Oh, either way, there's no escaping from this track
There's no escaping from this
Wishing that I were never afraid
And wishing these rails had never been laid
And I will be strong and I will be brave
And I'm right behind you, show me the way
Inside, I am red but the sky is grey
And you're right beside me but further away each day
And I'm still riding trains
Because I'm so afraid to drive
I'm whirling lifeless over metal tracks
Too scared to stay alive
And what paralysis is worse
That from the world or from inside?
And where's the borderline at which the two divide?
The song "Trains" by ThouShaltNot uses metaphors to explore themes of fear, isolation, and paralysis. The lyrics describe the singer's fear of driving, which leads them to instead ride trains, even though they feel trapped and lifeless. The singer wonders if their fear comes from external factors, like the world around them, or if it's an internal struggle within themselves. The lyrics also touch on themes of longing, as the singer chases after the trains, searching for a destination but unable to escape the tracks.
The imagery in the lyrics is haunting, with references to Pyrenean snow, owl wings, and a grey sky. The song's chorus repeats the singer's fear of being "whirling lifeless over metal tracks" and the question of which paralysis is worse - from the world or from inside. The singer's desperation is palpable, as they wish to be strong and brave and to have someone guide them.
Overall, "Trains" is a powerful exploration of mental health and fear, with beautiful and evocative lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Wishing is cold this year in Pyrenean snow
My desires are bleak and hopeless amidst the snowy mountains of Pyrenees.
Or have my nerves been sabotaged and stripped?
Am I suffering from nervous breakdown and anxiety?
And I can't hear you anymore
Have you stopped talking to me, or have I become deaf to your words?
Are you now stone silent, or are my ears clipped?
Is your silence making you unresponsive, or is it my inability to listen that's causing me to feel unheard?
And I've been riding trains
I'm avoiding driving and opting for train rides instead.
Because I'm so afraid to drive
I have an irrational fear of driving that's preventing me from doing it.
I'm whirling lifeless over metal tracks
I'm feeling trapped and powerless as I move along the railway tracks.
Too scared to stay alive
I feel hopeless and lost, like there's no point in living anymore.
And what paralysis is worse
I'm struggling to decide which form of paralysis I'm experiencing is worse - internal or external.
That from the world or from inside?
Is the paralyzing effect coming from external sources or within myself?
And where's the borderline at which the two divide?
I'm not sure where to draw the line between the internal and external causes of my persistent problems.
Wishing could be the motion at the window's edge
Perhaps my desires could be as visible as the fleeting movements seen through a windowpane.
Is it owl wings or my eye's mistake?
I'm not sure if the things I'm seeing through the window are real or imagined.
If dreams just hold me hostage to electrical codes
Are my dreams just an illusion created by electrical impulses in my brain?
Then how can you enact them when I wake?
If my dreams are not real, how can I actualize them in my waking life?
I chase the trains forever
I'm constantly and futilely chasing after trains.
Hoping someday they will stop
I'm still hoping that one day these unending train rides will come to a halt.
I see myself through windows
As I look through the train windows, I catch glimpses of my own self.
And he doesn't care if I catch up
But the person I see doesn't care to acknowledge or help me catch up to them.
What destination do I reach
I'm not sure where I'm heading to or what my purpose is.
Somewhere ahead or lifetimes back?
Am I moving towards a future or stuck in the past?
Oh, either way, there's no escaping from this track
Regardless of where I'm headed, I'm stuck on this path without any hope of escape.
Wishing that I were never afraid
I regret being fearful and wish I could overcome my fears.
And wishing these rails had never been laid
I regret the circumstances that have led me on this path and I wish things were different.
And I will be strong and I will be brave
I'm trying to muster courage and strength for a brighter future.
And I'm right behind you, show me the way
I'm looking towards someone else for guidance and hoping they will lead me to a better place.
Inside, I am red but the sky is grey
I'm passionate and full of emotions, but the world around me is dull and lifeless.
And you're right beside me but further away each day
The person I trust and rely on is slowly distancing themselves from me.
And I'm still riding trains
I'm still stuck in my old ways and haven't found the courage to change my path.
Because I'm so afraid to drive
I'm still struggling with my fears and haven't yet found a solution.
I'm whirling lifeless over metal tracks
I feel trapped and powerless, like I have no control over my life.
Too scared to stay alive
I feel like there's no point in living anymore and I'm too scared to face life's challenges.
And what paralysis is worse
I'm still struggling to decide whether my internal or external struggles are worse.
That from the world or from inside?
Am I being held back by external factors or is it my own internal issues that are causing problems?
And where's the borderline at which the two divide?
I'm still trying to figure out the reasons behind my persistent problems and where the root cause lies.
Contributed by Audrey A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.