They formed in the year 1989 are advocates of the DIY punk ethic and part of the musical underground culture. They are well regarded in the Industrial music, punk rock, indie rock and electronic music communities. Known for their live performances, Babyland have shared the stage with the likes of The Offspring, Legendary Pink Dots, Dystopia, Foetus, Add(n)to X, Nitzer Ebb and Psychic TV. Most of their live performances occur in underground locations that have included places like LA's Jabberjaw, Kontrol Factory, The Smell and 924_gilman in Berkeley.
Recordings prior to 1996 were released on the Los Angeles Punk Rock label Flipside, and the band participated in several of this organization's Mojave Desert events. Subsequent material has been released by the band's own label, Mattress. Recent works have also been released in Europe by Dependent Records.
Their slogan is: "We will not go away"
On October 9, 2009, it was announced that they had broken up.
Dan Gatto now plays as Continues
http://www.thisiscontinues.com/
Discography
* 1991 7 inch (1991: Flipside)
* Reality/Under/Smrow-Tow EP (1992: Flipside)
* You Suck Crap (1992: Flipside)
* Dog Snatcher EP (1993: Flipside)
* Stomach 7 inch (1993: Flipside)
* A Total Letdown (1994: Flipside)
* Who's Sorry Now (1995: Flipside)
* Split (1996: Flipside)
* B-Component 7 inch (1998: Mattress)
* Outlive Your Enemies (1998: Mattress)
* Decade One (2001: CD Compilation released in Europe: Dependent)
* 2002 (2002: Mattress)
* Past Lives ep (2003: Mattress)
* The Finger (2004: Mattress)
Don't You Feel Lost
Babyland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But growing older things started to change
Friends and ideals fade away
Deviation from hope and ambition
As they start the adult transition
Never achieved
So now they appease
Don't want to be like that
Everything we fought against
The loss of support
For who you are
Now it's "Be what you should be"
It's not for me
Maybe I'm yet to reach that phase
Twenty-one
I'll act my age
And I'll evolve as I see fit
Ask any middle-age wreck
Who thinks that they deserve respect
If they achieved
Anything they wished they would
And you'll understand why
I won't give in
You must understand
I won't give in
Of course I'm scared
My chemicals transform me
I fear I'm becoming something I despise
So help me hold out and tell me
The facts
The truth and everything you know
I've got to live it too
I want to live it right
I just want to live it right
So, here is the plan
We'll stay together at all cost
One little question for you
Don't you feel lost too?
The song "Don't You Feel Lost" by Babyland is a contemplation of growing up and losing oneself in the process of adulthood. The lyrics suggest that, as we age, we drift away from our original ideals and goals, and begin to conform to what is expected of us. The singer expresses a desire to remain true to themselves and not give into societal pressures, even if it means feeling scared and uncertain about the path they are taking. The song ends with a plea for unity, asking if others feel the same sense of displacement and longing to find their way back to who they truly are.
The motif of lost innocence is prevalent throughout the song. The lyrics suggest that, as we get older, we lose the purity and hope that once guided us. Growing up and entering adulthood means making sacrifices and compromising on our dreams. The singer is grappling with the idea of becoming someone they don't recognize or respect. The line "Don't want to be like that / As they become / Everything we fought against" suggests a sense of betrayal and disillusionment with the world.
The use of the word "chemicals" is evocative of a sense of transformation and changing identities. The singer is afraid that they are becoming someone they despise, someone who conforms to society's expectations instead of following their own passions and dreams. Overall, the song is a poignant reminder of the difficulties of growing up and the struggle to remain true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything seemed OK
In the past, everything seemed fine
But growing older things started to change
As time passed, things started to change
Friends and ideals fade away
As people grow older, they lose friends and change their beliefs
Deviation from hope and ambition
People lose their hopes and dreams
As they start the adult transition
As people become adults
Never achieved
They never achieved their goals
So now they appease
They settle for less than what they wanted
Don't want to be like that
They don't want to settle for less
As they become
As they grow older
Everything we fought against
They become what they once opposed
The loss of support
People don't support them anymore
For who you are
For their true self
Now it's "Be what you should be"
Now they're being told to be what society deems appropriate
It's not for me
They don't want to conform to society
Maybe I'm yet to reach that phase
Perhaps they're too young to understand
Twenty-one
Age is just a number
I'll act my age
They'll act accordingly to their age
And I'll evolve as I see fit
They'll grow and change as they wish
Ask any middle-age wreck
Talk to someone who isn't happy with their life
Who thinks that they deserve respect
Someone who demands respect
If they achieved
If they got what they wanted
Anything they wished they would
If their life turned out the way they wanted
And you'll understand why
You'll see why they don't want to be like them
I won't give in
They won't settle for less
You must understand
It's important for others to understand their decision
Of course I'm scared
It's natural to feel scared
My chemicals transform me
They feel like their body is changing
I fear I'm becoming something I despise
They're afraid of becoming someone they hate
So help me hold out and tell me
They want someone to support and guide them
The facts
The truth
The truth and everything you know
All the knowledge the other person has
I've got to live it too
They want to live their own life
I want to live it right
They want to live a life that makes them happy
So, here is the plan
This is their idea
We'll stay together at all cost
They want to stick together no matter what
One little question for you
They have a question for the listener
Don't you feel lost too?
Are you also unsure of what to do with your future?
Contributed by Declan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
chicago_rocker23
One of those albums/groups I have to periodically listen and relisten to since I first heard it back in 1997. Its amazing how many times the mind can interpret the same track! They need to do a reunion gig
Gardubenty Swoze
I still like listening to this album (You Suck Crap). It's a good mix of punkishness and electronics.
Hal Charles
Thanks! I remember this well... but then, I was working in an indie record shop back in 1993... would never have come across it otherwise...
Gardubenty Swoze
You're welcome! I first heard them on local college radio, otherwise I never would have come across them. Ha.