Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: garage
Song Meaning of “Psychotic Episode” by Royal Headache
“Psychotic Episode” by Royal Headache speaks to the fear and frustration of living with mental illness, and the desire to break free from its chains. The chorus captures the feeling of being tormented by one’s own demons, unable to escape: “Turn around, I can’t be found tonight/Down the halls, away from sight/Shadows, they won’t go away/There’s no place for me to hide.”
The verses chronicle the individual’s daily battle against their affliction, as they struggle to keep their grasp on reality. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of delusions and hallucinations: “Stacks of books that just won’t move/Silent screams that just won’t subside/In my head, I can swear/Barriers that I can’t break.” There is a recognition that isolation and self-destructive behaviors are a result of their mental illness, but at the same time, the speaker takes solace in unhealthy behaviors as a means of escaping the pain: “Wearing my heart on my sleeve/Drugs they bring temporary relief.”
Ultimately, “Psychotic Episode” is an ode to the strength of all those living in darkness due to mental illness. It’s a reminder that there is hope and that the power to overcome lies within.