When a crowd is singing along with the last chorus after hearing the song for the first time, and Twitter lights up with those same lyrics in the days following a performance, you know it's a song that connects. With poignant yet sing-along-able lyrics and undeniable rock noir musical undertones, Spirits, the first single from The Strumbellas’ forthcoming album, embodies the essence of what has been attracting fans from across North America to this Lindsay, Ontario-bred band.
That journey has been a whirlwind since the release of the band’s 2012 debut album My Father And The Hunter. The Strumbellas' sound — haunting lyrics fused with infectious, danceable melodies — won them both fans and critical recognition. A year later, they followed up with We Still Move On Dance Floors, which earned the band six awards, including a JUNO and Sirius XM
Indie Award, as well as a spot on the Polaris Music Prize Long List. And of course, there’s been touring. Lots of touring.
In early 2015, the Strumbellas, off the road and ready to go into the studio again, set up shop at downtown Toronto’s Lincoln County Social Club to record the new album with LA Producer/Engineer, Dave Schiffman (Johnny Cash, Haim, Weezer). During three recording sessions during the first half of 2015, Schiffman and the band harnessed a vivid sound that was itchin’ to get out of them. Bigger. Bolder. Beckoning.
Young & Wild
The Strumbellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living in my head
And there's a hoe, hoe, hoe
Burning in my bed
I'm young and wild
I'm young and wild, oh
I jumped out from an airplane
I lit a house on fire
Just to see a painted sky
Did you know, did you know?
I've been running all my life
Sometimes I say you're crazy
Sometimes I'll think you're strange
Maybe you're the one who found a way out of this cage
Here we go, here we go
Let's go take apart this night
And it goes on and on, and on and on
And it goes on and on, and on and on
And it goes on and on, and on and on
And it goes on and on, and on and on
And there's a ghost, ghost, ghost
Living in my head
And there's a hoe, hoe, hoe
Burning in my bed
I'm young and wild
I'm young and wild
And there's a ghost, ghost, ghost
Living in my head
And there's a hoe, hoe, hoe
Burning in my bed
I'm young and wild
I'm young and wild
I walk the lines they made me
Just to make them smile
'Cause every monster that they make
Was once a happy child
Did you know, did you know?
We won't go with out a fight
They said that you'd be nothing
They said these dreams will die
But I stood strong and worked too hard to keep this hoe alive
Here we go, here we go
I'm going to write my name in lights
And it goes on and on, and on and on
And it goes on and on, and on and on
And it goes on and on, and on and on
And it goes on and on, and on and on
And there's a ghost, ghost, ghost
Living in my head
And there's a hoe, hoe, hoe
Burning in my bed
I'm young and wild
I'm young and wild
And there's a ghost, ghost, ghost
Living in my head
And there's a hoe, hoe, hoe
Burning in my bed
I'm young and wild
I'm young and wild
When I go, I'll go as you'll never know
When I go, I'll go as you'll never know
I can feel the mountain's burning sun
When I go, I'll go as you'll never know
When I go, I'll go as you'll never know
I can feel the mountain's burning sun
And there's a ghost, ghost, ghost
Living in my head
And there's a hoe, hoe, hoe
Burning in my bed
I'm young and wild
I'm young and wild
And there's a ghost, ghost, ghost
Living in my head
And there's a hoe, hoe, hoe
Burning in my bed
I'm young and wild
I'm young and wild
I'm young and wild
I'm young and wild
I'm young and wild
I'm young and wild
The Strumbellas’ “Young & Wild” is a song about the boundaries of youth, resilience, and self-discovery. The lyrics are emotionally charged and give listeners a glimpse into the struggle to conform and find peace within oneself. The song discusses numerous themes, including the idea that life is fragile and how we shouldn't fall victim to those who try to control or marginalize us. The ghost in the head is a metaphor for the haunting voice we all have that scolds and judges us from time to time. The hoe burning in the bed is a symbol of the desire to escape, the passion to explore, and the burning hunger that drives us forward.
The singer notes that he has been running all his life and he has never looked back until now. He recognizes that sometimes he thinks he's crazy, and at other times, he thinks that everyone else is. However, he knows that he won't give up without a fight. He believes that every monster created began as a happy child, and he won’t let his own inner demons defeat him. The refrain, "I'm young and wild," reminds listeners that we shouldn’t be confined by our past, and that we shouldn’t abandon our dreams, no matter what obstacles we face.
Line by Line Meaning
And there's a ghost, ghost, ghost
There's a haunting feeling in my mind
Living in my head
It's constantly with me and I can't escape it
And there's a hoe, hoe, hoe
I'm feeling the burn of desire
Burning in my bed
It’s consuming me and keeping me awake at night
I'm young and wild
I'm full of energy and free-spirited
I'm young and wild, oh
This is who I am and nothing can change that
I jumped out from an airplane
I took risks to prove my bravery
To see if I can fly
to test my limits and experience something new
I lit a house on fire
I did something dangerous for the sake of excitement
Just to see a painted sky
to witness the beauty of destruction
Did you know, did you know?
Have you heard of all the crazy things I've done?
I've been running all my life
I've been searching for something, never stopping or staying in one place
Sometimes I say you're crazy
I’m not always comfortable with what you do
Sometimes I'll think you're strange
You don’t always fit in, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing
Maybe you're the one who found a way out of this cage
You have the potential to break free from societal constraints
Here we go, here we go
Get ready for what's to come
Let's go take apart this night
Let’s make the most of this moment and live freely
And it goes on and on, and on and on
This feeling, this energy, it never ends
I walk the lines they made me
I followed the rules and expectations set for me
Just to make them smile
to please others and gain acceptance
'Cause every monster that they make
The people who don’t follow the rules are often villainized
Was once a happy child
Everyone starts out innocent and carefree
Did you know, did you know?
Are you aware of my potential and strength?
We won't go with out a fight
I’ll never give up or back down without a struggle
They said that you'd be nothing
Others have doubted and belittled you
They said these dreams will die
Your aspirations and goals will be crushed
But I stood strong and worked too hard to keep this hoe alive
But you persevered and fought to keep your passion alive
I'm going to write my name in lights
You’re going to succeed and make a name for yourself
When I go, I'll go as you'll never know
The depth and power of my spirit will never be known
I can feel the mountain's burning sun
I can feel the power and energy of the world around me
I'm young and wild
I’m unapologetically myself
I'm young and wild
I’ll never stop seeking adventure and excitement
I'm young and wild
This is me, and I love it
I'm young and wild
And I won’t apologize for it
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brian Leigh Pickett, Darryl James, David Ritter, Isabel Ritchie, Jeremy Drury, Joanne Setterington, Jonathan Hembrey, Simon Alexander Ward
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jon Block
on We Don't Know
I just saw Strumbellas in concert tonight in Denver. They were so great!! And this song "We Don't Know" moved me to tears. Made me reflect on my life and the uncertainties I'm facing. Being in the energy of this song and really getting the lyrics for the first time filled me with peace and hope.
Victoria Miller
on Spirits
Where did you find their bio?
Angela J Szucs-PagliariniVictoria Miller
on Spirits
if you read their bio, Simon Ward their frontman has an unhealthy fear of dying . he says most of the songs are based on that.
Dalton Bacon James
on Spirits
This sounds like it's about PTSD. Just listen to the lyrics and think about it