The release of the fourth studio album of the rock rap group Hollywood Undead was postponed several times due to various circumstances. Fans yearning for the new compositions of their favorite band had to be content with preliminary releases of singles.
The first of these was the title track Day of the Dead (“Day of the Dead”), which was released almost six months before the release of the album on sale.
History and meaning of Day of the Dead
There is no need to guess at the meaning of the song, which has a rather gloomy text. In an interview published on Artist Direct, the musicians talked about the history of the creation of Day of the Dead and explained what the composition is about.
First the word J-Dog:
We wrote it together in the studio. We are all big fans of rock and metal. We wanted to make a heavier track. We sat and played guitar riffs. It was about creating a song that would become something of a Hollywood Undead anthem. We talked about Day of the Dead not in the context of Halloween, but simply as an anthem for Hollywood Undead. Gradually, everything in the track fell into place. If you listen to the lyrics, it looks like we’ve never done anything like this since the first record. We wanted to record something that would represent our solidarity with the fans.
Now let’s listen to Charlie Scene:
Once in the studio I went to take a piss. That’s when I got the melody and the name Day of the Dead. This is usually where I get my best ideas. I mean, it was born when I was writing… After that, the song was completed in just a few hours. It describes the atmosphere of Hollywood Undead and our music. It’s heavy and gives you the creeps. Our entire band and music is in one song.
The message the band wanted to convey to the audience in the song was explained by Johnny 3 Tears:
Definitely a call to arms. Hollywood Undead fans are special… For a lot of bands, fans are nowhere near as much involved in the band’s life… “Day of the Dead” is aimed at the true Hollywood Undead fans who live, feed, sleep and breathe the band. This is an aggressive song. This is how we feel as members of Hollywood Undead and we pass it on to the fans…
Release and achievements
The Day of the Dead single was officially released to the public on October 21, 2014.
The album was released on March 31, 2015.
Clip Day of the Dead
The music video for the song Day of the Dead was directed by Spence Nicholson. In the video, the band members appear as guests of a TV show in the format of an evangelical sermon. Let’s watch the music video online.
Interesting Facts
- Prior to the single’s official release, the song ended up on the band’s official VEVO channel by accident, where it stayed for eight hours before the track was removed.
Day of the Dead Lyrics
Hold on, Holy Ghost
Go on, hold me close
Better run, here we come
It’s the day of the dead
We come from a world of oblivion, bad dreams
I got all I need strapped right to my hamstring
I’m not really bad, I’m just made up of bad things
I’m really not a mad man, the voices keep asking
Born with a soul that don’t wanna be saved
Every time I look around I see what a fiend made
Every time I die, I hope they’re digging up my grave
An undead one like the flag that I wave
I’m not afraid to cry from this cocaine sickness
I’m not afraid to die, let the good book witness
I ask and give none, nope, no forgiveness
The day of the dead and you’re on our hit list
So come all you misfits
Bitch, you’re on our hit list
Hold on, Holy Ghost
Go on, hold me close
Better run, here we come
It’s the day of the dead
Hold on, Holy Ghost
So long to the ones you know
Better run, here we come
It’s the day of the dead
This is exactly what has to be done, it happened so gradually
It’s like I magically happened to be the phantom that cannot be
Lets this dagger cut jaggedly
While you’re gasping so rapidly
While you gag on this rag
I see you all laughing so happily
It’s okay to get startled and be afraid of the dark
I’ll just wait here to swallow your soul and tear you apart
And I’ve already started, there ain’t no saving your heart
This is the day of the dead, this is ain’t no day in the park
Here I come, here I come, grab your guns and crossbows
And run, run better from the skull and crossbones
The fun has begun, yeah, it’s hard to swallow
When I’m done, I ain’t done, ’cause it’s hell that follows
Now get ready for sorrow
‘Cause it’s hell that follows
When the ashes start to rise
And the moon falls from the sky
And a thousand candles burn into the night
When the angels softly cry
On the flames below the sky
Would a thousand souls still pray for you and I?
Day of the Dead Lyrics
Hold on Holy Spirit
Come on don’t fall behind
Run fast, here we are
It’s the day of the dead
We came from a world of oblivion and bad dreams
All I need is tied to my leg below the knee
No, really, I’m not bad, but I’m made of bad things.
No, really, I’m not crazy, but I hear voices all the time
I was born with a soul that doesn’t need salvation
When I look around, I see the deeds of Satan everywhere
When I die, I always hope that my grave will be dug up.
Risen from the dead like the flag I wove.
I’m not afraid to cry cocaine addiction
I’m not afraid to die, I swear on this righteous book
I ask, but I give nothing – there is no forgiveness
It’s the day of the dead and you’re on our blacklist
So come here, all you rascals
Creature, you are on our black list
Hold on Holy Spirit
Come on don’t fall behind
Run fast, here we are
It’s the day of the dead
Hold on Holy Spirit
Say goodbye to everyone you know
Better run, here we go
It’s the day of the dead
Exactly what was supposed to happen, little by little happened
It’s like I’ve magically become a sign that can’t be
Let this dagger shred everyone
While you’re gasping for air
While your mouth is stuffed with this rag
I see how you all laugh happily
It’s okay to be scared and afraid of the dark
I’ll just wait here to swallow your soul and tear you apart
I already started and your heart can’t be saved
It’s the day of the dead, no time to walk in the park
Here I am, here I am, grab your guns and crossbows
And run, run faster from the skull and crossbones
The fun has begun, now it can’t be stopped
When I’m done, it’s not over, ’cause it’s going to be hell
So get ready to suffer
‘Cause there’s going to be hell
When the ashes begin to rise
And the moon will fall from the sky
And a thousand candles will light up in the night
When the angels gently cry
In flames under the skies
Will a thousand souls still pray for you and me?
Song quote
…beauty often comes from ugliness. This is one of the ideas we wanted to bring to Day of the Dead.
Johnny 3 Tears Artist Direct
