Music

5 creepy songs we'd like to file restraining orders against

by Mark Teo

Yacht Club’s recently released, Colin Medley-directed video for “A Little Messed Up”—which had Fucked Up guitarist Ben Cook stalking a number of girls around downtown Toronto—was part hilarious, part voyeuristic and fully gross. Check it out below:

Fortunately, though, the song’s delivered with tongue planted firmly in cheek. “The whole song started off with the idea of a guy who creeps social media so much that he’s losing his mind and can’t have a normal sex life anymore,” Cook told Vice. “It isn’t autobiographical, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

Thankfully. Still, “A Little Messed Up” wasn’t the first pop song to veer into misanthropic territories—in fact, the indie rock world’s had far, far worse offenders. Such as these five tracks:

5. DURAN DURAN: “HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF”

It sounds like: An ‘80s-night new wave standard with a video that is, in retrospect, about sex tourism.
The lyrical proof: “Woman you want me, give me a sign / And catch my breathing closer behind … High blood drumming on your skin so tight / You feel my heat as I’m a moment behind.”

4. BORN GOLD: “BORING HORROR”

It sounds like: An electro-pop oddity about prison sex.
The lyrical proof: “That’s not what your body said / ‘I’m a castle carved in flesh’ / That’s not what your body said / Over and over again.”

3. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE: “I WILL POSSESS YOUR HEART”

It sounds like: The real reason Zooey Deschanel broke up with Ben Gibbard.
The lyrical proof:  “There are days when outside your window /  See my reflection as I slowly pass / And I long for this mirrored perspective / When we’re be lovers, lovers at last … You reject my advances and desperate pleas / But I won’t let you let me down so easily.”

2. MY BLOODY VALENTINE: “PAINT A RAINBOW”

It sounds like: A jangly, proto-shoegaze hit. But here’s a thing: It’s about having sex with dead people. (Which completely clarifies the meaning of the band’s name.)
The lyrical proof: “Earthen trail of slimy goo / I smear it on your cheeks like rouge / Eyes of red and lips of blue / It’s cold and safe inside of you.”

1. PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART — “THIS LOVE IS FUCKING RIGHT!”

It sounds like: Near flawless twee-pop. Its only flaw? It seems to be about seducing a sibling.
The lyrical proof: “Sweet sister, can’t you find the words to say? / Your mister, he don’t treat you the right way / In a dark room I can see you shining bright / You don’t have to tell me twice, it’s alright / In a dark room we can do just what we like / You’re my sister, and this love is fucking right / Can you go home, and look your best friend in the eye / No, you can’t go home after where you slept last night.”