Psycho Suicidal Girl

Album: 11:59 (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In our interview with Ryan Star, the former Rock Star: Supernova contestant explained that this song is about a real person. Said Star: "She was what people call a cutter, inflicting pain on themselves. And I never knew it. I fell for all the excuses for a long time. And then I got to witness it and see it. It was hard, and I was also feeling that I was responsible for it. There's a lot of weight around that song. And it's my joke song, it's a funny tongue-in-cheek song, but it's quite possibly the heaviest real-life experience. And to be honest, I keep in touch with the hero of that one. I get a great reaction when I sing, 'Now it's all about having fun, I'm with the girl in the song, but now I'm paying a price and know the sex was nice. You're a psycho suicidal girl.' (laughs) So it's funny: 'is the juice worth the squeeze,' as they say."
  • How much of this song is true? Star told us: "I sometimes introduce it as saying that in all of my other songs I'm half full of s--t, but this song every word is true. (laughs) It's my most honest song that I think I've ever written. I had this line, 'You're wasting my time' or something. And again, I was falling into a new relationship, realizing, Well, where is this old one going? And I mean, line for line, you could read it. It's just the story.
    The funny side is I think there's a little bit of that in everybody. I introduce the song at concerts, and I say, 'Listen, everybody, if you know somebody like this in your life, then you're totally in the clear. So it's all good, you guys are gonna be fine. But if you don't know somebody like this, it's probably you.' (laughing) So I tell them to really get in there and scratch their brains and find someone, because I think there is a little bit of everybody in this song, and that's why I think I like it so much. I get to concerts and guys and girls, are wearing shirts that say 'psycho suicidal girl.' It's like they all relate. And on the more sad side, it is very true.
    I make light of it and I actually still know this person now, but at the time it was very hard because there was a very real thing happening. I kid you not, I opened the bathroom door to a pretty big mess one day. And I reacted the way I react in life, which is usually not too emotional. I kind of take it in, and I wind up putting it in songs. But it was a very matter-of-fact thing, and it was a very intense experience for me to see somebody treating themselves like that. But then I also learned a lot about what people do and what people go through. And it's a real problem."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.