Jas Mann had formerly been in an indie music band, called The Sandkings, which he left in 1992, because of musical differences.
Babylon Zoo was signed to Phonogram Records after A&R rep Clive Black heard their first three-track demo tape in May 1993. When Black moved to Warner Bros. Records in 1993, he took Mann's contract with him. An album had been prepared and sleeves for a single, "Fire Guided Light", were printed, but Babylon Zoo's debut was put on hold again when Black moved once more to EMI in 1995, where the band were signed on to a seven-album contract.
However, promotional copies of the song "Spaceman" had already been distributed, and chosen to tie in with the release of a new Levi's jeans TV advert. The single went straight to Number 1 on the UK singles chart and also went to Number 1 in the single charts in twenty-three countries.
An album entitled The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes was produced at Mann's New Atlantis Productions music/artwork/video centre. It was released in 1996 and included new-age tracks such as "Is Your Soul for Sale?" and "I'm Cracking Up I Need a Pill". It debuted at #6 on the album charts and reached the Top 20 in 17 countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
In 1997, Jas Mann was lampooned on the channel 4 TV series, Brass Eye.
Three years later, in 1999, a follow-up album was released entitled King Kong Groover, but Mann decided not to promote the album as he was not getting support from his label EMI since the departure of the man who had signed him, Clive Black. Mann subsequently decided to move to India and work for an aid agency.
Years active 1992–2000
I'm Cracking Up I Need a Pill
Babylon Zoo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am cracking up I need a pill
I sometimes starve myself of sleep
It's my paranoid mind
Strange looking demons laugh at me
All my traumas start to infiltrate my mind
I find it very hard to breath
In my hypochondriac world
Always poke the fun out of me
So confused with his sexuality
We've got information
Government sweat intrepidation
Stigmatise us all
Consealed information
Police crimes on Blacks and Asians
Babylon's alone
I am cracking up I need a pill
I am cracking up I need a pill
The animals are fast asleep
Always check. They can breath
Strange looking people laugh at me
All their traumas start to infiltrate my mind
We've got information
Government sweat intrepidation
Stigmatise us all
Concealed information
Police crimes on Blacks and Asians
Babylon's alone
People want an easy life
Poeple want, hmmmm
People want, hmmmm, hmmm
The lyrics to Babylon Zoo's song "I'm Cracking Up I Need a Pill" explore the theme of mental health and paranoia. The singer expresses their need for medication to cope with their deteriorating mental state, as they are constantly plagued by frightening thoughts and insecurities. The mention of "strange looking demons" and "traumas infiltrating" the mind suggests that the singer may be experiencing hallucinations or delusions. Furthermore, the line "Always poke the fun out of me, so confused with his sexuality" reveals that the singer is also struggling with issues related to their identity and self-esteem.
The second half of the song takes a more political turn, touching on themes of government secrecy and police brutality. The lines "Concealed information, police crimes on Blacks and Asians, Babylon's alone" suggest that the singer is feeling isolated and disillusioned with society. The repeated refrain of "We've got information, government sweat intrepidation, stigmatize us all" points to a larger conspiracy or cover-up that the singer feels powerless to expose.
Overall, the song portrays a sense of fear and anxiety, both on a personal level and in the larger societal context. The repeated plea for medication highlights the urgent need for mental health support and the struggle to access it.
Line by Line Meaning
I am cracking up I need a pill
I am experiencing a mental breakdown and require medication to stabilize my mental health.
I sometimes starve myself of sleep
I intentionally deprive myself of sleep due to my hyperactive and anxious mental state.
It's my paranoid mind
My mind is plagued by irrational fears and suspicions regarding my surroundings.
Strange looking demons laugh at me
I'm tormented by delusional thoughts and visions that present themselves as threatening, supernatural beings that mock me.
All my traumas start to infiltrate my mind
My past traumatic experiences begin to resurface in my mind, further aggravating my deteriorating mental state.
I find it very hard to breathe
I experience physical symptoms of anxiety such as shortness of breath and chest tightness.
In my hypochondriac world
I am overly preoccupied with my physical health, often exaggerating or imagining symptoms of illness.
Always poke the fun out of me
Others consistently mock and ridicule me, causing me distress and exacerbating my mental health issues.
So confused with his sexuality
I am uncertain and conflicted about my own sexual preferences or identity.
We've got information
There is pertinent information that is not being shared openly or honestly with the public.
Government sweat intrepidation
The government is nervous or fearful about what might happen if certain information is made public or if certain actions are taken.
Stigmatize us all
Society as a whole is quick to judge and condemn groups of people based on preconceived notions or stereotypes.
Concealed information
There are details or facts that are being kept hidden or secret, potentially for nefarious purposes.
Police crimes on Blacks and Asians
There is a pattern of racially motivated mistreatment or violence by law enforcement towards individuals of Black or Asian descent.
Babylon's alone
The aforementioned issues and problems are indicative of a larger societal dysfunction that is isolating and harming individuals and communities.
The animals are fast asleep
Nature and its inhabitants are able to rest peacefully despite the chaos and turmoil of the human world.
Always check. They can breathe
It is important to monitor and care for the innocent and vulnerable, as they are not immune to the negative effects of society's issues and problems.
Strange looking people laugh at me
I feel targeted and judged by unconventional or different-looking individuals, exacerbating my mental health issues.
All their traumas start to infiltrate my mind
The pain and suffering of others begins to take a toll on my own mental health and well-being.
People want an easy life
The average person desires a life free of struggle and difficulty, with minimal obstacles or challenges.
People want, hmmmm
There are superficial or perceived solutions that people seek out in order to make their lives easier or more comfortable.
People want, hmmmm, hmmm
Though the solutions people reach for may provide temporary relief, they ultimately do not address the underlying societal problems that cause suffering.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JASBINDER SINGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind