The song "Gorehound" by Harley Poe delves into the fascination and enjoyment of horror movies, specifically focused on the gore and violence depicted in them. The lyrics depict the protagonist as someone who is often questioned and misunderstood for their love of watching people die and finding pleasure in the screams and cries of others. The protagonist acknowledges that their friends think they are sick or uneducated for their interests in such gruesome content. Moreover, even their family members distance themselves from this person, not wanting to be associated with their macabre interests. The song goes on to highlight the protagonist's preference for horror movies that involve monsters, madmen, rape, and mutilation. They find these elements to be the perfect entertainment when going on a date. The lyrics also criticizes the popular trend of romanticized vampires and light-hearted family comedies, asserting a preference for blood, beasts, and nudity (commonly referred to as "blood and beasts and boobs"). The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm a gorehound, hellbound horror movie lover," emphasizing the protagonist's identification as someone who enjoys consuming horror movies. They express their voyeuristic tendencies and relate it to drinking a glass of red rum, a reference to the iconic horror novel "The Shining" by Stephen King. The song continues with darker imagery, discussing violent acts such as nailing someone to the bedroom floor, rape, killing, and mutilation. It questions who could commit such heinous acts, mentioning infamous horror movie characters like the "child killer" and Auntie Rue. The lyrics create a sense of unease and evoke the horror movie genre's ability to play on primal fears. The protagonist invites their partner to join them in a land of make-believe, where the lines between reality and fantasy blur. They find arousal in the darkness of their thoughts, suggesting that their interest in horror movies is a form of catharsis and an expression of art. Overall, "Gorehound" explores the complex relationship between pleasure, fear, and violence in the context of horror movies. It grapples with societal judgments and the acceptance of one's unconventional interests, ultimately challenging the conventional understanding of good and evil represented by the spectrum of colors.
