Song Cover Image

Psycho Killer

Obsidian Theory
Obsidian Theory
Sleek dark alternative hip-hop / contemporary R&B around 112–116 BPM with deep dominant sub-bass, punchy 808s, tight syncopated drums, clipped electronic percussion, low pulsing synths, subtle industrial textures, distorted violin accents and sparse processed guitar, Male lead only: smooth low contemporary R&B voice, neutral accent, calm, confident, seductive, controlled, crystal-clear diction, absolutely no twang, Begin cool and charismatic, then gradually reveal something obsessive and unsettling beneath the surface, Fast body-moving groove, stylish nightclub energy, cold tension, sharp rhythmic vocals and heavy bass breakdowns, Sexy and disturbing rather than theatrical or aggressive, Layered backing vocals from the lead only, No dialogue, duet, screaming or horror-character voice, ‑country, ‑dark country, ‑outlaw country, ‑country rock, ‑country pop, ‑southern gothic, ‑Americana, ‑southern rock, ‑roots rock, ‑blues rock, ‑folk, ‑bluegrass, ‑western, ‑honky-tonk, ‑vocal twang, ‑southern drawl, ‑slide guitar, ‑classic rock, ‑punk rock, ‑post-punk, ‑new wave, ‑retro 1980s, ‑bright pop, ‑bubblegum pop, ‑disco, ‑funk, ‑festival EDM, ‑big room EDM, ‑dubstep, ‑brostep, ‑hardstyle, ‑trance, ‑reggae, ‑reggaeton, ‑metal, ‑screamo, ‑musical theater, ‑cabaret, ‑circus music, ‑novelty Halloween, ‑operatic vocals, ‑choir, ‑horns, ‑brass, ‑bright synths, ‑high-pitched synths
V6

[Intro — dry kick, deep bass pulse] Everybody relax. I'm perfectly fine. [Beat enters] [Verse 1] Clean shirt. Cold drink. Say the right thing before you think. Shake your hand. Hold your stare. Smile like there's nothing there. Everybody likes a man who knows exactly what to say. So I learned to keep it easy. Keep the uglier thoughts away. [Pre-Chorus] Count to four. Breathe it in. Keep that little smile again. Nobody knows. Nobody sees. How loud it gets inside of me. [Chorus] Psycho killer. That's what they'd call me if they knew. But I look good under these lights— don't I? Tell the truth. Psycho killer. Such an ugly little name. When all I've ever done is learn how well to play the game. [Bass breakdown — stripped drums, distorted violin] [Verse 2] I know when you're uncomfortable. Your shoulders always tell. I know when someone's lying. I've gotten very good at that as well. You think I'm watching everybody. Maybe everybody watches me. Maybe that's the difference— I notice everything I see. [Pre-Chorus] Count to four. Breathe it out. Don't give anyone a reason to doubt. Hands stay still. Voice stays low. Nobody needs to know. [Chorus] Psycho killer. That's what they'd call me if they knew. But I look good under these lights— don't I? Tell the truth. Psycho killer. Such an ugly little name. When all I've ever done is learn how well to play the game. [Instrumental groove — heavy rolling bass] [Bridge — quieter, closer] Sometimes I wonder what gives a person away. Is it something in the eyes? Something careless that they say? A pause held half a second. A smile that doesn't reach. Funny. People tell you everything when you barely have to speak. [Beat cuts] And you— you've been staring for a while. [Build] Careful. You might notice something. [Beat returns harder] [Final Chorus] Psycho killer. Maybe that's what you'd decide. If you ever saw the things I keep so neatly locked inside. Psycho killer. Maybe labels make you brave. Maybe everybody needs a name for what they can't explain. [Final bass groove] So call me strange. Call me wrong. Call me anything you want. Just keep smiling. Keep pretending. That's what everybody does. [Outro — low vocal over fading bass] See? Perfectly normal.