Shameless

Album: Excommunication (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Tyler Glenn was born and raised in the Mormon church. He came out as gay in March 2014 but lost his faith after the church announced a new ruling soon after that all LGBT members were apostates. This decadent celebration of excess and indulgence is about how the Neon Trees frontman felt when he started doing things forbidden by his former religion. He told ABC Radio:

    "Now... I don't know what I believe in. That sounds a little scary and dark but it's actually very exciting. I grew up saying, 'I know the Church is true. Now I don't know anything. And it's kind of exciting to find that out at [age] 32, in a way, it's liberating."
  • The song's music video shows Glenn dancing around neon-lit rooms. At one stage he sings to a well-dressed masked figure tied to a chair, who some fans assumed to be representing Mormon church founder Joseph Smith. However, Glenn explained to Billboard magazine this is not the case.

    "Well it's actually not Joseph Smith," he said. "Originally I just wanted some sort of general authority figure. I knew that those who knew my background would know it was an authority from the Mormon church. But that's kind of why we made the anonymous old man mask - to kind of give more of a vagueness. To me, I'm definitely tying up the leader of the church and showing him that I'm shameless."

Comments: 1

  • Sammy Hughes from Outer Space, New MexicoIn the end of the music video, when the mask comes off, you see a third layer to the lyric: not only is he singing to his ex, and to the church... but also singing to himself. The Mormon version of himself. It represents his journey to self-acceptance.

    "Why not take me now as I am?"
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.