I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
bradley says it's haunted
the house upon the hill
and if we meet at four a.m.
then we would know for sure
we carry the ladders
and lean them against it
and climb them as we look
someone kicked a ladder
bradley took a spill
said his leg was broken
so we dragged him down the hill
and through the door
what do i see?
something is happening
is it for me?
mom found out the whole thing
mine was first to call
bradley's leg healed badly
at least he still can walk
we leave in the morning
and no one will hear us
and meet in the clearing
and i'll bring the sandwiches
david come quickly
you're missing the whole thing
now open your big eyes
and take in the sunrise
and through the door
what do i see?
something is happening
is it for me?
the house upon the hill
and if we meet at four a.m.
then we would know for sure
we carry the ladders
and lean them against it
and climb them as we look
someone kicked a ladder
bradley took a spill
said his leg was broken
so we dragged him down the hill
and through the door
what do i see?
something is happening
is it for me?
mom found out the whole thing
mine was first to call
bradley's leg healed badly
at least he still can walk
we leave in the morning
and no one will hear us
and meet in the clearing
and i'll bring the sandwiches
david come quickly
you're missing the whole thing
now open your big eyes
and take in the sunrise
and through the door
what do i see?
something is happening
is it for me?
Lyrics submitted by rabidpenguin
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I don’t understand all the interpretations that it’a whore house. Did someone in the band say that? There’s really no reference to that that I see.
When you were a teenager, didn’t you ever hear a rumor of a house somewhere around you being haunted? I can picture a number of houses I heard were haunted.
Once we heard of a ghost that appeared on some old dirt road so about four cars of kids all drove out there. We drank a beer or two and some people thought they saw something, some didn’t. Driving back, we got pulled over by a cop, who told us there was no ghost, and not to drive out there any more. We were polite and drove away, but with the cop right behind us, my dumb friend threw a paper cup out the window, and he immediately pulled us over and this time when he approached the car, he could smell the alcohol, and we all got charged with underage drinking.
This song always reminds me of that night.
And I think that’s really what this song is about. It’s a coming-of-age moment that the narrator will never forget. They sneak out, they go to a haunted house, there’s a big accident where some gets really hurt because they were being irresponsible, and in the middle of all of it, they witnessed this beautiful sunrise.
Either the narrator knew at the moment it happened, or is realizing in retrospect, that it was one of those moments where you grow up, where you lose a little innocence, where your path to adulthood becomes a little clearer to you. And that’s what he sees through a figurative door: the future, growing up, needing to make better decisions. And he’s not sure if he wants to grow up: Is it for him?
This is my favorite Toad song because the imagery and the storytelling really paints a picture, and the music matches the dream-like tale perfectly! They really are one of the most underappreciated bands ever.