First Impressions

I Want to Believe immediately announces itself as a playful, affectionate tribute to cryptid lore (a creature whose existence is disputed because there is no conclusive scientific proof) and paranormal pop culture.

Kathleen Turner Overdrive leans fully into their quirky aesthetic here, blending upbeat energy with a knowingly tongue-in-cheek enthusiasm for monsters, mysteries, and the TV shows that taught us to love them. From the first punchy guitar strums, the tone is bright, bouncy, and fun. This isn’t a song that broods or whispers—it grins like the Joker.

The opening lyrics —“Just because you don’t see them / Doesn’t mean that they’re not there”—sets the perfect mood. There’s a childlike joy to the premise, as if the band is inviting listeners to step back into the world where spooky shows and strange creatures fired up the imagination. Even before the chorus arrives, the track feels like a celebration of curiosity, nostalgia, and nerdy fascination.

The first impression, then, is simple: this song is here to entertain, to wink at its audience, and to revel in the absurd and the beloved all at once.

I Want To Believe – Lyrical Interpretation

The lyrics of I Want to Believe are a fast-paced roll call of mythical creatures, urban legends, and pop-culture references. Rather than aiming for deep emotional metaphor, the song’s strength lies in its playful specificity.

Nessie, Bigfoot, the Jersey Devil, the Mothman, the Chupacabra—they all get their shout-outs, each framed with a cheerful irreverence.

The chorus—“Nessie, Bigfoot, Jersey Devil too / Watch out, Mothman, he’s coming for you”—is intentionally catchy and repetitive, designed to function like a campfire chant or a schoolyard rhyme.

It’s the kind of hook that listeners can join in on after just one pass, which gives the song an instant cult status.

The verses weave pop-culture nostalgia into the cryptid theme: “We knew about them as kids way back / Thanks to Night Stalker, X-Files and Robert Stack.”

Beyond the humour, this is a surprisingly evocative reminder of the cultural moment when paranormal TV and documentaries shaped how a whole generation viewed the unknown.

The references to Eugene Tooms, the Lizard Man, the Mongolian Death Worm (yeah, I hadn’t heard of that one myself), and Bukit Timah Monkey Man reinforce the song’s devotion to deep-cut cryptid nerdery.

Lyrically, the song isn’t trying to philosophise or moralise; its meaning is in its celebration of belief—playful belief, cultural belief, shared belief.

It taps into the joy of wondering what might be lurking in the shadows, not because we’re afraid but because the mystery itself is fun, like a Scooby Doo episode.

Composition & Vocal Delivery

Musically, the band builds the perfect vehicle for these whimsical lyrics. The tempo is brisk, powered by punchy drums and bright guitar lines that match the song’s gleeful catalogue of creatures.

There’s a punk edge to the pacing, but the production keeps everything clean and melodic.

The vocals are perfectly delivered with an unmistakable grin. The lead singer (Lizzie) leans into the humour without ever sounding like she’s mocking the material.

Instead, the tone suggests genuine affection for the folklore and TV shows being celebrated. The repetitive chorus benefits from layered harmonies that make it feel communal—almost chant-like—drawing the listener into the fun.

I Want To Believe – Overall Impression

I Want to Believe is a joyous, unashamedly nerd-friendly anthem for anyone who ever stayed up late watching Unsolved Mysteries or the Twilight Zone or swapped strange-creature stories with friends.

It’s not a song built on emotional depth or metaphor; instead, it thrives on humour, nostalgia, and sheer enthusiasm and energy.

Kathleen Turner Overdrive delivers a track that’s catchy, clever, and unapologetically fun—a loving ode to the world of cryptids and the culture that made them legendary, and I for one absolutely do believe in this track.

Connect

Please support Kathleen Turner Overdrive by listening to I Want To Believe and their other music online.

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I’ve also added it to my 1000 Rising Stars Spotify playlist which you can view below 

Footnote

This is not a paid review. It’s about appreciating great music. It’s hard work creating, recording and releasing original music. This is a small way to recognise that.

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