How a Long Convo With an Ex and a Sense of Betrayal Inspired Thomas Day’s New Single, ‘VICIOUS’
There are few artists working today that we adore more than Nashville-based singer-songwriter Thomas Day, and with the release of his latest single "VICIOUS," he's outdone himself yet again.
Based on a true story, "VICIOUS" captures the heartbreak and betrayal of being strung along by an ex you still love, with devastating lyricism juxtaposed with an upbeat and almost effervescent pop sound. Its music video, also out today, was directed by Brenton Geisey and perfectly captures the frenetic energy, anxiety and pain of the track, culminating in some very cathartic destruction. We also had the pleasure of catching up with Thomas to learn all about the song, its real-life inspirations and his favorite lines, and he shared it all with us in the interview below.
The Story Behind 'VICIOUS'
Thomas Day: When I started writing this song, I had just gotten off the phone with my ex-girlfriend. She was my first love and I was naive enough to pick up the phone. We hadn't talked in a very long time. We broke up after two years of dating and I was very affected by it. It was all still relatively fresh to me. That night, we talked about life and how we both have changed so much. Before I knew it we had been talking for about five hours and it was 4 a.m. I completely forgot that I was talking to my ex because it felt the exact same as it was before. I got triggered near the end of the call because she told me, "Regardless of anything we have ever been through, I want you to know I will always love you." That just didn't sit right with me, especially once I learned she had been seeing someone else for two months already. When I hung up the phone that night, the lyrics just started pouring out of me.
Two days later I had a writing session with two people that mean a lot to me—Steve Rusch and Quinn Lewis. I told them about what happened. They understood the pain, and they knew what we needed to say in the song. This song is about hearing something that hits too close to home when it's not supposed to anymore. It's about betrayal. It's about being lied to by the person you love most in the world.
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What 'VICIOUS' Means
TD: This song, for me, has a lot of emotional energy in it. I have always been someone who lets my feelings out in the open. This song is an answer to the question, "is it okay for me to be upset when I am lied to?" And the answer is yes. Everyone heals in different ways over different lengths of time. I hope this song is able to help others as they heal—I am right there next to them in the same boat!
(Photo credit: Brenton Giesey)
Also read about: Thomas Day Sees Through the Facade With His Uplifting New Song 'Wildflower'
Thomas's Favorite Lyric
TD: There is a feeling I get when I am talking to an ex. I have never been able to fully understand what it is, but I love it and hate it at the same time. Am I scared? Am I angry? Am I thrilled? I have never really found out. But I kind of like it. So when I wrote this song, I was feeling all of it.
My favorite lyric from the song is, "I hate the kid you met, 'cause he was way too nice to you. And I'll always be nice to you, but I'm not that kid anymore." It really sums up the entire song. If I was the same kid, I would have just fallen under the spell again, but I didn't. Though I secretly wanted to, but I knew I couldn't ever again, and that hurt me.
(Photo credit: Brenton Giesey)
For more interviews with Thomas Day, click HERE for his insights into "The End."