Bloodsucker by The Sleepy Haunts is a deep and thoughtful take on self-doubt, wanting, and unfulfilled dreams. The lyrics sew the feelings of personal weakness with references to popular culture so neatly that it forms a relatable narrative for the listeners. While the song originally starts as a tribute to the TV series Vampire Diaries, it turns into some sort of reflection about this feeling of always being in the background, never quite the first choice, and fighting to find one’s place in both relationships and life.

From its very first lines, The Sleepy Haunts evoke a sense of isolation: “First day of fall, the trees stand tall / Your eyes seem, to pass over me.” With this quiet picture, they gives us an idea of how small this artist feels, almost as if they are overlooked in a world filled with big personalities. The repeated lines in the pre-chorus, “I want to be someone’s first choice / But I’m the footnote in your life,” show the sad truth that the artist feels unimportant, just a side character in their own story.

The chorus explores the artist’s inner struggles, showing fear of being left alone and the loneliness that follows: “I’m terrified / Of being alone at end of the night.” The self-reflection is honest, as they deal with their role in relationships, thinking about whether they’ve said something wrong or if they don’t matter. The metaphor to being a “bloodsucker” is, of course, clear and shows that the performer feels like they are stealing the time and energy of others without ever truly being noticed or appreciated.

The Sleepy Haunts also subtly references Vampire Diaries as it pertains to Caroline’s character, further exploring this confusing emotion of feeling lost and disconnected. The artist looks at the characters in the show and sees her own pain. That indicates the usual feeling of wanting to be loved and accepted for who they are. “Bloodsucker” is that song to really attach oneself to and feel very emotional about. It exposes those weaklings who think they’re not enough but at the same time hoping for contacts or self-worth.