“Psycho In My Head” by Skillet

Skillet is an established Christian act, but there isn’t anything overtly religious about the song “Psycho In My Head”. Whether or not it possesses a spiritual element is a matter of perspectives, i.e. if one considers unwanted voices in the head to be akin to a spiritual phenomenon. 

In any event, what we’re dealing with here is the case of a vocalist who, in his own words, is being afflicted by the “psycho in (his) head”, which he more specifically likens to an unstoppable “screaming voice”, “chaos in (his) mind” and “the other side of” himself which he “hate(s)”.

Or more comprehensively inferred, this entity, if you will, is not telling him anything positive. Indeed this voice is so negative that not only does John describe it as a “psycho”, but moreover one that’s “going to be the death of (him)” if he doesn’t find a way to counteract it. So as it currently stands, he’s accordingly “living in misery”.

One thing that isn’t stated though is what exactly these voices are telling him. When we say that a person is a “psycho”, that not only means they have mental issues but more to the point those of the sporadically-violent variety. 

So what’s further inferred in terms of what the vocalist is going through internally would be something like a series of vicious fantasies and presumably those with little or no justification.

Takeaway

The above is as far as this song is concerned. The lyrics are not meant to reveal the source of this negativity nor expound on a possible solution. Instead, they just put forth the idea that the subject is tormented by them. 

And the likely intent on the part of Skillet is to illustrate the reality of there being an unknown amount of people out there who regularly have psychotic thoughts in their heads, even though they may not want them there.

Skillet

Skillet is a Christian rock outfit from Memphis whose discography dates back to 1996.  They’ve experienced notable success in that particular subgenre. For example, they have topped Billboard’s Christian Albums chart on five occasions thus far.

Release of “Psycho In My Head”

Skillet’s 11^th studio album, “Dominion”, came out early in 2022. The deluxe edition of the project, titled “Dominion: Day of Destiny”. Therein, multiple new songs have been added onto the original 12 track playlist. Amongst them is “Psycho in My Head”, which Atlantic Records made public as the fifth single overall from the album on 9 December 2022.

Credits for “Psycho In My Head”

Skillet frontman John Cooper wrote this song with one Mark Holman. The song’s producer is Tyler Smith.