Following ample success as a songwriter and producer for pop’s brightest, Teddy Geiger returns as teddy💔, liberated on the brilliant “I Was in a Cult.”

“I was a soldier under the despot / Born in the summer, all that I wanted / I am a child, I ask for the beating.” Mouth on the floor… that’s some lyricism right there. Prior to writing songs for others (including Shawn Mendes), Teddy Geiger managed a hit on her own back in 2006: “For You I Will (Confidence)”.  Sure, many won’t remember it or the superb debut album that a teenage Geiger released, Underage Thinking, more than a decade before transitioning. Likely, the spirit of Geiger’s new single as teddy💔, “I Was in a Cult,” references her living her own truth.

Following the aforementioned first verse, Geiger is liberated from the cult on the second half of the chorus.

“I wanna love, wanna, wanna feel / Hello, hello to my moment I steal / I wanna look to now, now that it’s real / I wanna love tonight, now that I’m free, yeah.”

Just as the linked Billboard article suggests, there’s no literal Jonestown or Heaven’s Gate being referenced here.  This seems to be confirmed by the final line of the second verse, where she sings, “Give me the warning, I’ll be a good boy.”  Given the fact that Geiger transitioned, perhaps the line is referring to feeling like there was previously no way to free herself from the cult of her gender (“I’ll be a good boy”).  Teddy💔is definitely charged up as she sings – this is an energetic, expressive alt-rock joint.  It is, fittingly, the most turned-up during the free, high-flying chorus.

Final Thoughts

Teddy💔/Teddy Geiger lives her truth on “I Was in a Cult.”  It’s that authenticity, honesty, and the socially-charged nature of this record that makes it a truly compelling and engaging listen.  The distorted vocals, and ‘percussive nature’ of the record as a whole only amplifies the overall intrigue.

Teddy💔 (Teddy Geiger) • I Was in a Cult – Single • Whatever • Release: 7.2.18

Photo Credit: Whatever