Freaks

Album: Buds (2013)
Charted: 64 117
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Surf Curse is an American surf-rock band from Reno, Nevada, formed by lead vocalist and guitarist Nick Rattigan and drummer Jacob Rubeck. "Freaks" is a track from their 2013 independently released debut album, Buds.
  • Rattigan's dreams of his love interest provide a sanctuary where he can be with someone he deeply cares for without the fear of being rejected or ostracized as a freak. In this angsty song, he expresses a desire to remain in his dream state, as it allows him to escape from everyone except that special person.
  • The song alludes to Charles Burns' comic book series Black Hole.

    My head is filled with parasites
    Black holes cover up my eyes
    I dream of you almost every night
    Hopefully


    In Burns' Black Hole, a sexually transmitted infection leads to teenagers undergoing grotesque mutations. They become outcasts, commonly referred to as "freaks," who the rest of society shuns.
  • In 2020, "Freaks" started gaining popularity on TikTok. Users utilized the song's agitated lyrics, particularly "I am just a freak," for their videos. "I guess it's a pretty depressing song," Rubeck told American Songwriter, "but there are a lot of depressed people out there, and people who feel alienated."
  • After Surf Curse signed to Atlantic Records, the label released "Freaks" as a single on May 15, 2021. It charted worldwide and went Platinum (over 1,000,000 units sold) in the US.
  • Neither Rattigan or Rubeck are into TikTok and they feel the song going viral on the platform is totally random. Rattigan Rattigan told Inlander it would have been "pretty cool" if "Freaks" had gained traction for featuring on the soundtrack to the then-upcoming film Avatar: The Way of Water. "But instead, it was just like, 'Somebody's put your song over like a home gardening technique,'" he added laughing, "Or like, 'This 16-year-old kid has like 14 million followers, and he just sang your song online.'"
  • Surf Curse shot a music video for the song they directed themselves. Released on August 6, 2021, they set the clip in Charles Burns' Black Hole world. Rattigan and Rubeck enlisted their friends to portray mutants who experience the same mutations that occur in the graphic novel.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.