Before the Tapeworms, Will Wood was part of many other smaller projects. Due to him not wanting to be associated with many of these projects, most have been deleted from Spotify.
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After entering recovery early in his career, Wood was diagnosed with Bipolar and began treatment. He has since taken a new direction with his work, dedicated to giving back and using his music to raise money for mental health research and inspire others with their own struggles. He leads a reclusive life in Pennsylvania, rejecting social media with the exception of Patreon and Instagram.
His release, âThe Normal Album" is his first album following dropping "The Tapeworms" from his moniker. However the album still features Mike Bottiglieri, Mario Conte, Vater Boris, and Matt Berger. "The Normal Album" is his most polarizing, musically diverse, and lyrically dense album yet, explores the concept of normality through various lenses and alternating viewpoints, and features songs in every genre from disco to klezmer.
His last LP âIn case I make It,â , where he explored an entirely different style from what he had published in earlier years, was released in 2022. In 2023 he released the live album âIN CASE I DIEâ, before taking a hiatus from creating and releasing music which will last indefinitely.
Love Me Normally
Will Wood and the Tapeworms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Barbed wire and trenches
Trick or treat, merry Christmas
Howdy neighbor, thank you Jesus
What is he building in that painted lady
A participation trophy wife or blonde, blue-eyed baby
Wide-eyed and wired
The snap-crackle-pop of the Geiger
You elbow the jukebox and sing "Duck and Cover"
And breed out our incisors, feed on white wine and Pfizer
It don't look like survival, but buy now or die
Suburbia
You're not alone
The lights are on
But no one's home
So, welcome home
Meyers-Briggs, OK-ULTRA
Takes a village to fake a whole culture
Your ear to the playground, your eye on the ball
Your head in the gutter, your brains on the wall
Home is where the heart is
You ain't homeless, but you're heartless
It's the safest on the market
But you still gotta watch where you park it
So give me your half-life crisis
I can tell that you know where paradise is
Where parasites don't care what your blood type is
Only pheromones and serotonin decide
If it's true that a snowflake only matters in a blizzard
Everyone knows that nobody knows that
Everybody's all up in my, everybody's all up in my
Everybody's all up in my business
Suburbia
Where you belong
The lights are on
But no one's home
So, welcome home
Chameleon peacocks are talk of the town
Well word gets around on
Hit Number Stations
He comes radiation
The dog bites the postman while basement eyes dream
Of a night at the drive-in with an AR-15
I dropped my eyeballs in the bonfire, we fucked on a bed of nails
I caught Kuru from your sister and died laughing in jail
Smell those screaming teenage sweetbreads on the 4th of July grill
Smile and wave, boys, kiss the cook
Live laugh and love, please pass the pills
It's only culture, it's only culture
It's only culture, sulfur, smoke, and soot
You learned to torture house cats, like vultures
You cocked and sucked your lack of empathy
Pulled the trigger with your foot to prove you've got
Blood, didn't they want your blood
So why apologize for being blue and cold
Blood, didn't they want your blood
So don't apologize for being blue and cold
It's only culture, it's only culture, it's only
Culture's not your friend
Hey, fuck your culture, I ain't got no culture
It's only culture, and it's more afraid of you than you are of it
Go on, drink that
Blood, didn't they want your blood
So why apologize when you turn blue and cold
Blood, didn't they want your blood
So don't apologize for being blue and cold
Were you Nabokov to a Salinger
Were you Jung to Freud or Dass to a Leary
Were you mother, daughter, subject, and author
You don't make the rules, you just write them down and
Do it by the book you throw around
Do you know the difference between blazing trails and slash-and-burn
Going against the grain and catching splinters
You pull out your Rorschach like a paint-by-numbers treasure map
The ink upon on your jigsaw piece traces you back to your fingerprints
Well Lot he had his lot in life, Job his job and I guess you'll too, and die
The Lord looked down, said, "hey, you're only mortal"
Giveth and taketh away 'till things come out a certain way
Leave you wondering when they might go back to normal
Leave you wondering why they can't have just been normal
The lyrics of Will Wood's song Love Me Normally describe a dystopian suburban culture. The first verse contrasts images of idyllic suburbia with more sinister ones, such as barbed wire and trenches. The second verse describes the pressure to conform, using examples of popular personality tests and the need to fake culture in order to fit in. The chorus notes that the lights are on but nobody's home, alluding to the shallow nature of suburban life. The third verse describes the brutality and emptiness of this culture, with references to radiation and torture of animals. The final lyrics confront the notion of normalcy and the pressures to fit in, posing the question of whether it's worth sacrificing individuality and authenticity for the sake of conformity.
Overall, the lyrics of Love Me Normally are a commentary on the homogeneity of suburban culture and the pressures to conform to societal norms. This commentary is paired with vivid imagery and a haunting melody, making for a powerful and thought-provoking musical experience.
Line by Line Meaning
White picket fences
Typical, suburban homes with cosmetic fencing
Barbed wire and trenches
The reality of living in the suburbs is not as safe and secure as it seems
Trick or treat. Merry Christmas
The consumerism associated with holidays in the suburbs
Howdy neighbor. Thank you Jesus
The surface-level friendliness and fake religiosity of suburban communities
What is he building in that painted lady
The curiosity and gossip that runs rampant in small suburban neighborhoods
A participation trophy wife or blonde, blue-eyed baby
The societal pressures and expectations of starting a family and the desire for the perfect spouse and child
Wide-eyed and wired
Living life in a constant state of anxiety and stress
The snap-crackle-pop of the Geiger
Living in a potentially dangerous environment with radiation and pollution, as represented by the Geiger counter
Camouflage billboards for lead-lined Brooks Brothers
The destructive effects of marketing, advertising, and capitalism on suburban life
You elbow the jukebox and sing "Duck and Cover"
The false sense of security and shelter that suburban life provides
And breed out our incisors, feed on white wine and Pfizer
The effects of Western consumerism on lifestyle, as shown through the emphasis on dental makeovers and pharmaceuticals
It don't look like survival, but buy now or die
The message of capitalism and consumerism is to buy and consume more, despite the consequences
Suburbia
The name for this superficial, anxious way of life
You're not alone
The idea that many others are living the same way
The lights are on
The appearance of happiness and contentment
But no one's home
The truth beneath this façade
So, welcome home
An ironic welcome to a place that is far from welcoming
Meyers-Briggs, OK-ULTRA
A reference to personality testing and government mind control experiments, further highlighting the anxiety and paranoia of suburban life
Takes a village to fake a whole culture
The effort people put into pretending their culture and lifestyle are perfect and better than others
Your ear to the playground, your eye on the ball
The focus on children's activities and safety in the suburbs
Your head in the gutter, your brains on the wall
The reality of drug addiction and substance abuse in the suburbs
Home is where the heart is
The surface-level sentiment that suggests that homes are filled with love and warmth
You ain't homeless, but you're heartless
The idea that suburban life can turn people cold and detached, despite their comfortable homes
It's the safest on the market
The emphasis on safety and security, although this is not always true
But you still gotta watch where you park it
Even in safe areas, there are still potential dangers to be aware of
So give me your half-life crisis
The longing for something genuine and real in a superficial world
I can tell that you know where paradise is
The search for something that feels like paradise or true happiness
Where parasites don't care what your blood type is
The rejection of societal and cultural norms
Only pheromones and serotonin decide
The idea that emotions and chemistry are more important than societal expectations
If it's true that a snowflake only matters in a blizzard
A metaphor that highlights the idea that individuals are more significant when they band together with others
Everyone knows that nobody knows that
A commentary on the uncertainty and falsehoods that surround suburban life
Everybody's all up in my, everybody's all up in my
The invasion of privacy and constant scrutiny in a small community
Everybody's all up in my business
The constant judgment and gossip in suburban neighborhoods
Where you belong
An apparent sense of belonging in a community
Chameleon peacocks are talk of the town
The emphasis on appearances and status symbols in the suburbs
Well word gets around on
The rapid spread of gossip and rumors in close-knit communities
Hit Number Stations
References to secret radio stations and conspiracy theories that are rumored to exist
He comes radiation
The dangers of living near radiation and other environmental risks
The dog bites the postman while basement eyes dream
The presence of danger and fear in suburban neighborhoods, with many hidden behind closed doors
Of a night at the drive-in with an AR-15
The glorification of violent, dangerous behavior
I dropped my eyeballs in the bonfire, we fucked on a bed of nails
An absurd, nonsensical line that reflects the surreal nature of suburban life
I caught Kuru from your sister and died laughing in jail
A completely nonsensical line that further drives home the surreal nature of the song
Smell those screaming teenage sweetbreads on the 4th of July grill
A reference to the tradition of grilling meat on holidays, with the added element of teenage angst and rebellion
Smile and wave, boys. Kiss the cook
The traditional gender roles and expectations in suburban households
Live laugh and love. Please pass the pills
The use of pharmaceuticals to cope with the stresses of suburban life
It's only culture. It's only culture
The idea that many aspects of suburban life are simply cultural norms and expectations
It's only culture â sulfur, smoke, and soot
Suburbia's pollution and environmental impact, alongside the other cultural expectations
You learned to torture house cats. Like vultures
The cruelty and abuse that can occur in suburban homes
You cocked and sucked your lack of empathy
The point that suburban life can lead to sociopathy and a lack of empathy for others
Pulled the trigger with your foot to prove you've got
A commentary on the toxic masculinity and pride present in suburban neighborhoods
Blood. Didn't they want your blood
The consuming, damaging aspects of suburban life
So why apologize for being blue and cold
An indictment of the pressures and expectations of suburban life
Blood. Didn't they want your blood
A repetition of the theme of consuming and destroying aspects of life
So don't apologize for being blue and cold
A call to be true to oneself and not apologize for not fitting in with suburban norms
Were you Nabokov to a Salinger
A reference to two famous writers, questioning whether the listener is an intellectual like Nabokov or more simple like Salinger
Were you Jung to Freud or Dass to a Leary
A similar question, asking whether the listener is more analytical and intellectual or less so
Were you mother, daughter, subject, and author
Questioning the listener's sense of identity
You don't make the rules, you just write them down and
The idea that those in power make the rules and the rest of us are simply followers
Do it by the book you throw around
Following the rules and expectations that are thrust upon us
Do you know the difference between blazing trails and slash-and-burn
The question of whether one is making meaningful progress or simply destroying everything in their path
Going against the grain and catching splinters
The difficulties of going against societal expectations and suffering the consequences
You pull out your Rorschach like a paint-by-numbers treasure map
Using the Rorschach test to try to find meaning and direction in a confusing world
The ink upon on your jigsaw piece traces you back to your fingerprints
Every action and decision you make can ultimately be traced back to you
Well Lot he had his lot in life, Job his job and I guess you'll too, and die
A statement about the inevitability of death and the cyclical nature of life
The Lord looked down, said, "hey, you're only mortal"
A reference to the Bible and the idea that humans are imperfect and mortal
Giveth and taketh away 'till things come out a certain way
The belief that fate and external forces play a role in our lives
Leave you wondering when they might go back to normal
The uncertainty and possibility of things returning to a state of normalcy
Lyrics Š O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Will Wood
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@e-mail2673
Idk if anyone's posted the lyrics to this yet, but here's me doing it. Someone can correct me if I get anything wrong, especially on the spoken part, thank u
In lipstick on the mirror
Are the lyrics to my obituary
In iambic pentameter, follow parameters
Crossing myâ eyes,â dot my t's
Iâ was delivered holding scissors
I live deliberately,â Iâm a quitter
And a winner anyway
'Cause I never agreed to participate in this game
Won't follow my dreams, no they've all got me waking up screaming
I canât let them go for me
After all there's no I in team
And I'd rather be normal
Yes, so normal
I suggest that we keep this informal
'Cause a normal human being wouldn't need
To pretend to be normal
To be normal
Well I guess that's the least that I owe ya
To be normal in a way I couldnât be
Câmon, câmon and love me normally
If I could live in third person, well I donât think life would be much worse than it is
In the current tense, presently, this sentence ending in question marks or dot dot dot
Is it courageous or escapist to leave the quarantine when youâre contagious?
It may just be a cold
And besides I donât wanna get old, yeah
I drank myself to death to be the afterlife of the party
When the after-party came, I was rolling in my grave
And I'd rather be normal
Yes, so normal
I suggest that we keep this informal
'Cause a normal human being wouldn't need
To pretend to be normal
To be normal
Well I guess that's the least that I owe ya
To be normal in a way I couldnât be
Câmon, câmon and love me normally
Now this is the part of the song where I talk to my audience. I like to tell 'em there's something I want from you hep cats tonight. I want you to look to your left, look to your right, your twelve o'clock, three o'clock, six o'clock, nine o'clock, rock around the clock tonight. And I want you to find those points of no return, those singularities, those burning rings of fire in the beautiful pupils and the beautiful eyes of the beautiful boy, girl, neither, both, or in-between that you brought with you tonight. And I want you to tell 'em how you really feel .
I want you to love the way they seamlessly, like a dream, so beautifully, oh so dutifully, jam that square peg in the round hole in their heart! I want you to tell them that you love the way they don't stick out like sore middle fingers. That they crawl their way up the side of the bell curve, stick their flag in the peak, and slide their way back down. I want you to love the way that they're not maladaptive, not malcontent, not malignant or maleficent, but rather that you love them exactly the way that everybody else is!
I was nothing before,
So couldnât have asked to be born
I'll be nothing again, so what am I between now and then?
Is there nothing to fear
Cause shit's getting weird
So to God who made this man
You better have one hell of a plan
And I'd rather be normal
Yes, so normal
I suggest that we keep this informal
'Cause a normal human being wouldn't need , no
To pretend to be normal
To be normal
Well I guess that's the least that I owe ya
To be normal in a way I couldnât be
Câmon, câmon yeah, I said c'mon, yeah
Câmon, câmon yeah, I said c'mon, yeah
C'mon, c'mon and love me normally
C'mon, c'mon and love me... normally
@thoseoneguyschannel
In lipstick on the mirror
Are the lyrics to my obituary
In iambic pentameter, followed parameter
Crossing my eyes, dot my T's
I was delivered holding scissors
I live deliberately, I'm a quitter
And a winner anyway
Cause I never agreed to participate in this game
Won't follow my dreams
No, they've all got me waking up screaming
I can let them go from me
After all there is no "I" in team
And I'd rather be normal. Yes, so normal
I suggest that we keep this informal
Cause a normal human being wouldn't need
To pretend to be normal to be normal
Well I guess that's the least that I owe ya
To be normal in a way I couldn't be
C'mon, c'mon, and love me normally
If I could live in third person
Well I don't think life would be much worse than it is
In the current tense, presently
This sentence ending with question marks or dot dot dot
Is it courageous or escapist
To leave the quarantine when you're contagious
It may just be a cold
And besides I don't wanna get old
I drank myself to death to be the afterlife of the party
When the afterparty came, I was rolling in my grave
And I'd rather be normal. Yes, so normal
I suggest that we keep this informal
Cause a normal human being wouldn't need
To pretend to be normal to be normal
Well I guess that's the least that I owe ya
To be normal in a way I couldn't be
C'mon, c'mon, and love me normally
Now this is the part of the song where I like to talk to my audience
I like to tell 'em there's something I want from you hep cats tonight
I want you to look to your left, look to your right
Your 12 o'clock, three o'clock, six o'clock, nine o'clock, rock around the clock tonight
And I want you to find those points of no return, those singularities
Those burning rings of fire in the beautiful pupils of the beautiful eyes of the beautiful
Boy, girl, neither, both, or in-between that you brought with you tonight
And I want you to tell 'em how you really feel
I want you to tell 'em that you love the way they so seamlessly, like a dreamfully
So beautifully, oh so dutifully
Jam that square peg in the round hole in their heart
I want you to tell 'em that you love the way
That they don't stick out like sore middle fingers
That they crawl their way up the side of the bell curve
Stick their flag in the peak, and slide their way back down
I want you to tell them that you love the way that they're not maladaptive
Not malcontent, not malignant or maleficent, but rather that you love them
Exactly the way that everybody else is
I was nothing before so I couldn't have asked to be born
I'll be nothing again, so what am I between now and then
Is there nothing to fear? Cause shit's getting weird
So to God who made this man, you better have one hell of a plan
I'd rather be normal. Yes, so normal
I suggest that we keep this informal
Cause a normal human being wouldn't need. No
To pretend to be normal to be normal
Well I guess that's the least that I owe ya
To be normal in a way I could never be
C'mon, c'mon, yeah, I said c'mon, yeah
C'mon, c'mon, yeah, I said c'mon, yeah
C'mon, c'mon, and love me normally
@smuggestmari
I love the idea of Will pulling various rats out of his pockets and gently placing them onto the table of an interviewer
@cats-a-lot3609
Yes
@inklink64
yes, also omor
@Joebama87
Omor
@adamikok
Also
@cainegizzardfanny
Stairs
@squeakerboodle
after seeing interviews with will wood, i can say that this is exactly how he acts during an actual talk show
@austinrimel1150
Correct! I once saw a video and sitting next to will wood was someone who was just.... Holding a old telephone.
@ImTired17
Yep lmao
@theflabbergasterer8340
@@austinrimel1150 Same! When I first saw this mv I thought, "is this a reference to that interview?"