I didn’t know what to think when I heard this song for the first time. It is very atmospheric to listen to but very catchy. I didn’t hear it on the radio, I saw the video and that is what made me uncomfortable at first. I read about the making of it and they got the blessing of the survivors. I guess I better describe the video…they feature Jim Jones and the People’s Temple. They intercut themselves into the footage…and yeah it looked real.
They first showed the People’s Temple when they were in California and then when they landed in Guyana. They showed most everything up to the night before the mass murder/suicide where over 900 people died. The survivors were happy with this video because it showed some of the good times they had there. The band did screen it for them before they released it…after that, I was ok with it but some would think differently. There are not many humans I hate but Jim Jones is one of them. He was an avowed atheist using people’s vulnerabilities to build a “perfect” socialist/communist town in Guyana and worked them day and night.
The sad part is the people were happy at first in Guyana but Jones refused to let them go if they wanted to leave. He collected their passports and would not give them back and had armed guards around the camp. The town they made had a post office, doctor’s office, school, and about everything they needed but a drug-fueled Jones pushed people to the brink and most were too worn down to resist.
The Cults was originally a duo comprising Madeline Follin on vocals and Brian Oblivion (multi-instrumentalist and producer). The two met while studying at film school in New York City. They released an EP called Cults 7″ and this song went viral and put them on the map. Since then they have released 6 albums including To The Ghosts released last year. Some of their songs have a sixties-girl group vibe along with that atmospheric sound on top.
They didn’t release this song but the video was hit a lot. I found it while reading a Jonestown book and searching for more information.
They evidently made two videos for the song. The Jonestown video is on the bottom.
Go Outside
But to me, death is not-Death is not a fearful thing, it’s living that’s treacherous
Do not be afraid to dieIf these people land out hereThey’ll torture some of our children here, they’ll torture our peopleThey’ll torture our seniors, we cannot allow this
I, I really want to go outI really want to go outside and stop to see your dayYou, you really want to hole upYou really want to stay inside and sleep the light awayI, I really want to go outI really want to go outside and bathe in light all dayYou, you really want to hole upYou really want to stay inside in the cave where you lay
Well, I know what’s goodExactly ’cause I have been there beforeYeah, I know what’s goldExactly those things night cannot behold
I, I really want to go outI really want to go outside and stop to see your dayYou, you really want to hole upYou really want to stay inside and sleep the light awayI, I think it’s good to go out‘Cause if you don’t you’ll never make a memory that will stayI, I think that we should break upI think I want to live my life, and you’re just in my way
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