As a teenager, Slug (Sean Daley) became entranced with hip-hop, graffiti, and breakdancing, forming the Rhymesayers label and collective (originally known as Headshots) with two high-school friends, Siddiq Ali (Stress) and Derek Turner (Spawn). After some early gigs as Urban Atmosphere -- where Slug DJed behind Spawn's rhyming -- the pair hooked up with producer Ant (Anthony Davis), as well as like-minded locals such as MC Musab, Mr. Gene Poole, and the Abstract Pack, forming an underground hip-hop clique dedicated to freestyling and clever lyricism. In 1997, Atmosphere released their debut album, Overcast!, which received college radio airplay and earned an underground hip-hop following thanks to Slug's deeply personal, poetic musings, as well as Ant's bare-bones -- but inventive -- production.
Atmosphere participated in the supergroup the Dynospectrum (who released a self-titled album on Rhymesayers in 1998) and Slug contributed to another supergroup, Anticon's Deep Puddle Dynamics (whose full-length The Taste of Rain...Why Kneel appeared in 1999). The Headshots collective concluded their series of underground cassettes with a seventh volume in 1999, later reissued as an Atmosphere release called Headshots: Se7en. The group also began a series of limited releases (often sold exclusively on tour) titled Sad Clown Bad Dub, beginning with an extremely scarce 1999 cassette.
A year later, Atmosphere (then down to the duo of Slug and Ant) released the Ford One and Ford Two EPs, followed by the Lucy EP in 2001. Collected as the 2001 full-length Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs, the three EPs were built around the theme of Slug's complicated relationship with his ex-girlfriend, the lost love of his life. As Atmosphere's following increased beyond underground hip-hop circles, they toured consistently, both at home and overseas; while Ant usually didn't accompany the group on the road, Mr. Dibbs of the group 1200 Hobos often joined in behind the turntables while Slug was assisted on the mike by young rappers like the teenaged Eyedea. In June 2002, Atmosphere unleashed God Loves Ugly, an 18-track effort that returned to previous themes ("F*@k You Lucy"), but also contained the group's pop-friendly single "Modern Man's Hustle," which reached the Top 20 of the U.S. rap singles chart.
By this time indie rap superstars, Atmosphere returned with their fourth album, Seven's Travels, in 2003, followed two years later by You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having. Following the record's success, Ant began regularly touring with the group. They continued to put music out during the next couple of years, including the free download Strictly Leakage in late 2007, a near-party album that they followed up with When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold in April 2008. The record featured plenty of live instrumentation and guest background vocal spots from Tom Waits and TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe; it was also their highest-charting album, hitting number five on the Billboard 200. The "double EP" To All My Friends: Blood Makes the Blade Holy appeared in 2010, with the full-length album The Family Sign following in 2011.
In 2014, the group released the album Southsiders, which featured the single "Bitter" and became another Top Ten-charting hit. The following year, Atmosphere celebrated the ten-year anniversary of You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having by reissuing the album as a four-LP set (including instrumental versions of all the album's songs), in addition to The Fun EP, a picture-disc vinyl issue of an EP of You Can't Imagine outtakes that was originally released as a promo CD in 2006. In 2016, they returned with Fishing Blues, an album that featured the single "Ringo" along with guest appearances from MF Doom, Kool Keith, and Aesop Rock. While the set peaked just outside the Top 20 on the Billboard 200, it became their second album to top the U.S. indie chart. Mi Vida Local, an urgent reflection on middle age, appeared in 2018, followed a year later by the full-length Whenever. The Day Before Halloween arrived on that exact date in 2020, with Atmosphere unexpectedly switching to sci-fi/horror-informed themes over spooky, synth-heavy backdrops. Nearly a year later, Ant and Slug swerved back to their signature sound with Word?, which included guests such as Evidence, Aesop Rock, Sa-Roc, and MF Doom.
Biography by Dan LeRoy
There are other artists with the same name:
2) A Polish rock group, established in 1993 in Leszno, Poland, with Marcin Rozynek as a vocalist. In 1994 the group appeared at Mokotowska Jesień Muzyczna, where they were runners-up just behind Myslovitz. Two years later they won competition Marlboro Rock In. In 1997, Atmosphere released their self-titled debut album, Atmosphere, and in 1999 released Europa Naftowa. Atmosphere was awarded the Album debut of the year 1997 by magazine Tylko Rock and was nominated for the award Fryderyk in 1998 in the category Debut of the Year. In 1998, Atmosphere appeared at the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole with song Niewielki Skrawek Ziemi. Disbanded after Marcin Rozynek departure for a solo career. However, Atmosphere regrouped recently with a new line-up and is recording a new album.
3) An obscure one hit wonder Italo-disco group of the early 80’s. The group was produced by Franco & Venise Scopinich, and their one single “Swede’s Scandal” was realased on Superradio Reccords (label owned by Franco & Venise Scopinich).
4) A thrash metal band of the same name from Vietnam who have released two demo's.
Free or Dead
Atmosphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Using my gun to see at night, sleeping with my flash light
In the afterlife I hope the AC works
So while I wait well I'ma pass out and taste this curb
And she attacked with flirts, smacked my nerves
There in that black skirt
Got my nature so hard it made my back hurt
I cracked a smirk 'cause I was dumb and drunk
man, people are kind of odd so I keep my eyebrow raised
I only hear the words for what they mean, know what I mean?
and I do believe in God 'cause I keep comin across all these fine woman
with low self esteem, you know what I mean?
I got attention deficet, I've got the bedroom eyes
I've the storms in my head, I've got my telephone voice
I've got to make a decision of whether I live or die
I'd rather just run 'cause either way it's one hell of a choice
[Chorus]
my car is like my own personal universe
she's my drug and it only takes twelve bucks to fill 'er up
but in my galaxy there ain't no room for Earth
so I'm leavin it 'cause I can feel the oil pressure building up
turning over the ignition of my solar system
check the gauges, push in the tape, put my foot on the break
shift existence light my cigarette
and take it state to state until I crash into my fate
now I'm giving back everything they gave me, not a damn thing
it'll take me more than a good DJ to save me, and I'm not dancing
I can't seem to make up my bed, much less my mind
so I'm a take another puff to my head, and press rewind
I wish this car had cruise control, so I could rest my legs
I've got this itch to prove my soul, and test my fate
doing hunny(hundred) in a sixty five, got stopped by a copper
caught, spotted, and radared by a chopper
Wisconsin-style, over the limit by forty miles
why'd she smile?, 'cause I ain't been around here for a long while
grabbed my paper, gave her thanks?, have a nice day
yo, word of advice, trade the doughnuts in and gets some rice cakes
back to my travels, running from my shadows
some hitchhikers and bikers honkin the horn harrasin the cattle
airbags/hair back sticking to the seat, sweat drippin from the heat
diggin through of gruel?, I'm looking for something to eat
yo, there's a Hardee's at the next stop
don't want to, but I need ta'
'cause I'm craving something to chase the taste of this tequila
(uhh, yeah, you guys got value meals? can you put some barbecue
sauce... I want to honey bun. change that shit. I want chicken pebbles.
no, onion bun, onion bun. onion rings. extra pork. word up. can you
supersize that? yo girl, you got kind of a pretty voice. yo girl, what
time yu get off work?)
90 east towards Chicago, on my way to Cincinnati
I won't ever let em catch me, and I won't ever make em happy
watch your wives and your daughters when I'm passin through the
hometown, castin lines into the water, catchin goldfish out your bowl
and I'm as cool as the cat that came to school just for lunch
I'm the rebel pissin in the public pool, just for fun
I speed in the sun, everyone in speakin in tounges
find the talk radio station, yo, turn it up so it bumps
don't cry, girl, I'm out and I'm a make my way east
'cause everyone in my world is takin my peace
I need release, and I don't think I'm a find it in between your legs
yo, I'm just jokin, only going to the corner to get some eggs
so when she starts makin the coffee I toss my bags in the back seat
and I can remember it all like it must have happened last week
sometimes I stop to think, for all the money I've spent
how I'd rather live in a tent than bust my ass and pay the rent
but I'm eager to pay my dues, and I'd be glad to pay the tollbooth
and I've agreed to sing the blues ever since the day I broke loose
just like a blindfolded child walking through the toy store
voice?, not even aware that the world is my oyster
[Chorus - 2X]
The lyrics of Atmosphere's song Free or Dead describe a man who is trying to figure out who he is and what he wants in life. He uses his car as his personal universe, driving across the country in search of freedom and a sense of purpose. He struggles with his vices, attention deficit and the storms in his head. He is constantly on the move, seeking adventure and finding solace in the fact that he can't be tied down. The chorus speaks of his desire to escape from the pressures of the world and the societal norms that he feels constrain him.
Throughout the lyrics, the man expresses his frustrations with society and his desire to break free. He describes himself as being odd and different from others, and he feels isolated because of it. He is intrigued by women who have low self-esteem, perhaps because he can relate to their feelings of inadequacy. He uses his car as a means of escape from the world, and he revels in the freedom that it provides him.
The song touches on themes of freedom, identity, and self-discovery. It speaks to the universal desire to break away from societal norms and live life on our own terms. At the same time, it acknowledges the challenges that come with this kind of lifestyle and the struggles that we all face in figuring out who we are and what we want in life.
Line by Line Meaning
So here I am, trying to be the man, right
I am feeling a sense of responsibility to be an adult.
Using my gun to see at night, sleeping with my flash light
I am in a dangerous environment and need to use my gun to protect myself.
In the afterlife I hope the AC works
I have a fear of death and hope that the afterlife is not too hot.
So while I wait well I'ma pass out and taste this curb
I am intoxicated and lying on the ground while I wait for something.
And she attacked with flirts, smacked my nerves
A woman was flirting with me aggressively and it made me uncomfortable.
There in that black skirt
The woman I mentioned earlier was wearing a black skirt.
Got my nature so hard it made my back hurt
The woman aroused me to the point of physical discomfort.
I cracked a smirk 'cause I was dumb and drunk
I smiled because I was drunk and not thinking clearly.
she gave wink and a smile and dropped a quarter in my cup
The woman I mentioned earlier gave me money and flirted with me.
man, people are kind of odd so I keep my eyebrow raised
I find people to be strange and I am cautious around them.
I only hear the words for what they mean, know what I mean?
I take people's words at face value and assume they are speaking honestly.
and I do believe in God 'cause I keep comin across all these fine woman
I believe in some kind of higher power because I keep encountering attractive women.
with low self esteem, you know what I mean?
The attractive women I come across often have low self-esteem.
I got attention deficet, I've got the bedroom eyes
I have difficulty focusing and my eyes have a seductive appearance.
I've the storms in my head, I've got my telephone voice
I have a lot of conflicting thoughts and I use a different tone of voice on the phone.
I've got to make a decision of whether I live or die
I have an important decision to make about my future.
I'd rather just run 'cause either way it's one hell of a choice
I would rather avoid making the difficult decision altogether.
my car is like my own personal universe
I see my car as a small world that I control.
she's my drug and it only takes twelve bucks to fill 'er up
My car is extremely important to me and I can fill it up for cheap.
but in my galaxy there ain't no room for Earth
I am focused solely on my own life and my own universe.
turning over the ignition of my solar system
Starting my car is like starting my own universe.
check the gauges, push in the tape, put my foot on the break
I am making sure everything is working properly before driving.
shift existence light my cigarette
I am taking a break (shifting existence) and smoking a cigarette.
and take it state to state until I crash into my fate
I am driving aimlessly until destiny finds me.
now I'm giving back everything they gave me, not a damn thing
I am not returning favors or giving back anything to society.
it'll take me more than a good DJ to save me, and I'm not dancing
I need more than music or entertainment to improve my life.
I can't seem to make up my bed, much less my mind
I am indecisive and can't even complete simple tasks.
so I'm a take another puff to my head, and press rewind
I am smoking more and wishing I could go back in time.
I wish this car had cruise control, so I could rest my legs
Driving is tiring and I wish I could take a break from it.
I've got this itch to prove my soul, and test my fate
I have a desire to challenge myself and push my limits.
doing hunny(hundred) in a sixty five, got stopped by a copper
I was speeding at 100 miles per hour and got pulled over by a cop.
caught, spotted, and radared by a chopper
I was caught speeding from above by a helicopter.
Wisconsin-style, over the limit by forty miles
I was speeding excessively and dangerously.
why'd she smile?, 'cause I ain't been around here for a long while
The cop found it amusing that I haven't been caught in that area for a while.
grabbed my paper, gave her thanks?, have a nice day
I received my ticket and thanked the cop before driving away.
yo, word of advice, trade the doughnuts in and gets some rice cakes
I am suggesting that the cop should eat healthier food.
back to my travels, running from my shadows
I am continuing my journey, trying to escape my problems.
some hitchhikers and bikers honkin the horn harrasin the cattle
Other travelers are making noise and disrupting the peaceful surroundings.
airbags/hair back sticking to the seat, sweat drippin from the heat
I am hot and sweaty, with my hair and airbags sticking to my seat.
diggin through of gruel?, I'm looking for something to eat
I am hungry and looking for any kind of food.
yo, there's a Hardee's at the next stop
I noticed a Hardee's restaurant nearby and plan on stopping there.
don't want to, but I need ta'
I don't really want to stop, but I have to eat.
cause I'm craving something to chase the taste of this tequila
I want something to eat to help me recover from my alcohol consumption.
90 east towards Chicago, on my way to Cincinnati
I am driving towards Cincinnati, passing through Chicago.
I won't ever let em catch me, and I won't ever make em happy
I am determined to not be caught by those who want to bring me down or control me.
watch your wives and your daughters when I'm passin through the hometown
I may cause trouble for women in the town I am passing through.
castin lines into the water, catchin goldfish out your bowl
I am causing mischief and bothering people, even catching their pets.
and I'm as cool as the cat that came to school just for lunch
I am calm and collected, unbothered by my actions and surroundings.
I'm the rebel pissin in the public pool, just for fun
I am causing trouble and breaking rules just to entertain myself.
I speed in the sun, everyone in speakin in tounges
I am driving fast and recklessly, making those around me nervous.
find the talk radio station, yo, turn it up so it bumps
I am trying to find a radio station with a good beat and turning up the volume.
don't cry, girl, I'm out and I'm a make my way east
I am comforting a woman, telling her I will be on my way soon.
'cause everyone in my world is takin my peace
Those around me are causing me stress and taking away my inner peace.
I need release, and I don't think I'm a find it in between your legs
I am looking for a way to relieve my stress, but I don't think sex is the answer.
yo, I'm just jokin, only going to the corner to get some eggs
I am making a joke and leaving to get some groceries.
so when she starts makin the coffee I toss my bags in the back seat
I am returning to my car and putting my groceries in the trunk.
and I can remember it all like it must have happened last week
I have a clear memory of everything that has happened on my journey.
sometimes I stop to think, for all the money I've spent
I reflect on the amount of money I have wasted in my life.
how I'd rather live in a tent than bust my ass and pay the rent
I would prefer a less stressful life, even if it means living in a tent.
but I'm eager to pay my dues, and I'd be glad to pay the tollbooth
I am willing to work hard and pay my way in order to move forward in life.
and I've agreed to sing the blues ever since the day I broke loose
I have accepted the difficulties of life and am willing to express my emotions through music.
just like a blindfolded child walking through the toy store
I feel lost and unsure of what to do with my life.
voice?, not even aware that the world is my oyster
I am not even sure of my own voice or what my potential is in life.
Lyrics © UPSIDEDOWN HEART MUSIC
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