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Neon Trees’ Tyler Glenn slams the LDS Church in ‘Trash’ video

Posted at 12:59 PM, Apr 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-29 19:00:54-04

Neon Trees lead singer Tyler Glenn is launching a solo career, and his first song / music video in that capacity is a heavy-handed dig at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In October, Glenn spoke with FOX 13 about being gay and Mormon, saying "I'm just figuring it out" when asked how he reconciles his faith with his sexuality. Neon Trees Tyler Glenn Trash 1

"I know that's a vague answer, but I think it's an OK answer, too," he said. "I think a lot of people are in that boat," Glenn said.

But if the lyrics for "Trash" and its accompanying music video are any indication, Glenn has had a major change of heart.

In the first verse of the song (full lyrics below), Glenn sings that he wasn't ready when he was baptized. (Children in the LDS Church are typically baptized at age eight.) He also compares prayer to superstition.

Glenn provided more insight about his perspective in a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine.

"My entire life and perspective on God, the afterlife, morals and values, my self-worth and my born sexual orientation has been wired within the framework of this religion that doesn't have a place for me," Glenn told Rolling Stone. "I served [this church]. I was the square peg trying to fit into the round hole. I believed it till six months ago." Neon Trees Tyler Glenn Trash 2

Among other things, the video shows Glenn spitting on a well-known portrait of Joseph Smith, which was altered to make Smith's face appear ghost-like. Later in the video, pages - perhaps representing pages of the Book of Mormon or LDS Church policies - swirl around Glenn.

He uses lipstick to draw on "X" on his face, which could be interpreted in a number of ways, including excommunication, being an ex-Mormon or a feeling of being invalidated as a gay member of the church. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long opposed same-sex marriage, but preaches that LGBT people can remain members so long as they are celibate.)

Click here to watch "Trash" by Tyler Glenn on RollingStone.com. [WARNING: Video contains content that may upset some viewers.]

FOX 13 is working to bring you additional information on this story. Watch FOX 13 News and fox13now.com for updates.

Trash lyrics via genius.com:

[Verse 1]
I think I lost myself in your new religion
You say a prayer for me like a superstition
We were always made for love
We could always speak in tongues
On my knees and I'm seeing visions
Yeah, you remind me that seven sins are deadly
You used to baptize me when I wasn't ready
Water never turns to wine
I've been drinking all the time
I think of you whenever I see fire in the sky

[Chorus]
Your friends think I'm a freak
Why, what's in my drink?
I can't even think, but we got history
In all of this, I lost myself
Maybe I'll see you in hell
Okay, whatever
One man's trash is another man's treasure

[Verse 2]
I said my flesh is weak but the spirit's willing
And you would sell my soul just to make the killing
If you wanted me to stay
I'd prepare my days away

[Chorus]
Your friends think I'm a freak
Why, what's in my drink?
I can't even think, but we got history
In all of this, I lost myself
Maybe I'll see you in hell
Okay, whatever
One man's trash is another man's treasure

[Bridge]
You keep throwing me out like
You keep throwing me out like
You keep throwing me out like
One man's trash is another man's treasure
One man's trash is another man's treasure

[Chorus]
Your friends think I'm a freak
Why, what's in my drink?
I can't even think, but we got history
In all of this, I lost myself
Maybe I'll see you in hell
Okay, whatever
One man's trash is another man's treasure
One man's trash is another man's treasure