History
Formed in 1987, Backyard Babies originally consisted of singer/bassist Tobbe (Tobias Fischer), guitarist Dregen, guitarist Johan Blomqvist, and drummer Peder Carlsson. They were then called Tyrant and played several live shows in their local area and recorded a rough demo. Tobbe was soon replaced by frontman Nicke Borg on vocals and guitar, and Blomqvist switched to bass. Fischer went on to be a professional photographer and web designer in Stockholm, continuing to work occasionally with his old bandmates.
In 1989, the band changed their name to Backyard Babies and recorded two more demos and did a national tour of Sweden. The band self-released a debut EP titled Something to Swallow. This got them signed in 1993 by Swedish label Megarock Records.
Backyard Babies released their debut album Diesel & Power in 1994. The music on it took influences from rock, punk, and blues. In addition to the album, the band also released the single "Electric Suzy" with a cover of "Taxi Driver" by Hanoi Rocks as the B-side. After touring with former Hanoi Rocks members in Demolition 23 and doing a short headline tour in late 1995, premiering new songs that remain unreleased, the band was put on hiatus, as guitarist Dregen formed the garage rock band The Hellacopters. Dregen appeared on two albums with the Hellacopters" Supershitty to the Max! (1996) and Payin' the Dues (1997).
The Backyard Babies reunited in 1997, with a new record contract with MVG Records. They recorded their most critically acclaimed album, Total 13. Critics compared the album favorably to the New York Dolls, Ramones, and The Damned. They toured the United Kingdom with good response. A single was released from the album, "Bombed (Out of My Mind)", with the B-side "Rocker" featuring a duet with Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe. Their next single was the self-released "Is It Still Alright to Smile?". The B-side of the single was a cover of the Faster Pussycat track "Babylon" featuring guest appearances from Ginger of the Wildhearts and Nicke Andersson who had played with Dregen in the Hellacopters. In 1998, the band toured the United Kingdom once more, this time in support of Alice Cooper.
After the collaboration on the song "Babylon", Dregen, Ginger, and Nicke Andersson formed the side project Supershit 666, which released a six-track EP in 1999. Dregen returned to the Backyard Babies soon after as the band took off for another tour of the United Kingdom, this time in support of AC/DC.
The Babies recorded a follow-up to Total 13, titled Making Enemies is Good which has been described by some critics as a more "controlled chaos" approach than their previous effort. Two of the singles from it were hits "The Clash" and "Brand New Hate", the latter of which was co-written with Ginger. They toured in support of the album with Motörhead.
On 15 October 2002, Backyard Babies guitarist Dregen was on the front pages of Swedish national newspapers. After returning home from a club where he was DJing, he and his friend were assaulted, robbed, and knocked unconscious. Dregen suffered a broken jaw but the band continued recording their next album; Stockholm Syndrome. The album, released in 2003, was viewed by some fans as a return towards a more energetic and raw sound. The album won them a Swedish Grammy. The album spawned three singles, "Minus Celsius", "A Song for the Outcast" and "Friends".
During 2005, the band toured the United States (with openers The Chelsea Smiles & Crash Kelly) and Europe alongside Social Distortion. The album People Like People Like People Like Us, produced by Nicke Andersson of The Hellacopters, was released in 2006. It spawned two singles: "The Mess Age (How Could I Be So Wrong)" and "Dysfunctional Professional". A self-titled album was released in August 2008. The first single was "Fuck Off and Die". The second single "Degenerated" is supported by an animated video clip. Their self-titled 2008 album reached number 1 on the Swedish albums chart.
The compilation album Them XX was released in 2009 to honor the band's 20th anniversary. The accompanying tour was rumored to be their last. After a hiatus, the band reconvened with an announcement in May 2014. Their 2015 album Four by Four reached number 2 on the Swedish albums chart. In September 2018 they played at the Hard Rock Hell Sleaze festival in Sheffield, England. The band released their eighth studio album, Sliver & Gold, in 2019. In 2022, in an interview with The Sound Lab, Dregen confirmed Backyard Babies were on hiatus due to commitments with The Hellacopters but there were plans to create more music in the future.
Discography
Diesel & Power (1994)
Total 13 (1998)
Making Enemies Is Good (2001)
Stockholm Syndrome (2003)
People Like People Like People Like Us (2006)
Backyard Babies (2008)
Four by Four (2015)
Sliver & Gold (2019)
Backstabber
Backyard Babies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He really thinks he's something
She'll make a fortune without luck
I'll make my friends without a buck
Somebody opened up the box
How could you be so stupid
1,2,3,4
Gotta get away for sure
Brothers and sisters
Mr. and Mrs.
Look out now and c'mon
You're a backstabber
Backstabber
You're a backstabber
Hey, man, and I think you're better of red and dead
She thinks she's heaven and I am hell
How could I care 'bout nothing
But you're a hardcore superstore
Plastic little ugly whore
How could she be so stupid
Brothers and sisters
Mr. and Mrs.
Look out now and c'mon
You're a backstabber
Backstabber
You're a backstabber
Hey, man, I think you're better of red and dead
Brothers and sisters
Mr. and Mrs.
I don't think it's funny to be wearing a gunny
Haschis as fascist, taxes and faxes
Look out now and c'mon
Backstabber
Backstabber
You're a backstabber
Hey, man, I think you're better of red and dead
Backstabber
Backstabber
You're a backstabber
Hey,man,stab me
That's right
The song "Backstabber" by Backyard Babies is a fast-paced, high-energy track that deals with themes of betrayal and deceit. The lyrics dive into the topic of people who think too highly of themselves, believing they are superior to others, and willing to use and manipulate others for their own advantage. The song's chorus repeatedly calls out the subject of the song as a "backstabber," highlighting their untrustworthiness and the hurt they have caused.
In the first verse, the lead singer contrasts himself with the egotistical subject of the song, pointing out that he doesn't need wealth to make friends while the subject may have fortune but lacks luck. The second verse similarly pits the singer against a woman who thinks she is superior but is actually a "plastic little ugly whore." The bridge of the song takes a more political tone as it calls attention to fascism and the dangers of living in a society where people feel the need to defend themselves with weapons.
Overall, "Backstabber" is a hard-hitting track that comments on societal issues such as narcissism, greed, and the struggle for power. The lyrics are passionate, and the catchy chorus will have listeners singing along and nodding their heads in agreement.
Line by Line Meaning
He thinks he's Jesus and I think not
He has an overly inflated sense of self-worth, comparing himself to a religious figure, but I don't agree.
He really thinks he's something
He has an exaggerated view of himself and his abilities.
She'll make a fortune without luck
She will succeed financially without relying on chance or luck.
I'll make my friends without a buck
I will make and keep friends based on genuine connections and not material possessions.
Somebody opened up the box
Someone exposed a secret or truth.
How could you be so stupid
Expressing frustration and disbelief at someone's actions or decisions.
1,2,3,4
Counting down to leaving or escaping.
Gotta get away for sure
Need to leave the situation immediately.
She thinks she's heaven and I am hell
She sees herself as superior, while viewing me as inferior.
How could I care 'bout nothing
I don't care about anything she has to say.
But you're a hardcore superstore
You promote a fake, commercialized version of yourself.
Plastic little ugly whore
You are fake and unattractive.
How could she be so stupid
Expressing frustration at someone's lack of intelligence.
I don't think it's funny to be wearing a gunny
I don't find it amusing that someone is carrying a gunny or gunnysack.
Haschis as fascist, taxes and faxes
Mentioning drugs and government bureaucracy as oppressive forces.
You're a backstabber
You are untrustworthy and betray those who believe in you.
Hey, man, and I think you're better off red and dead
Suggesting that it would be better for the person to die or be a communist, expressing extreme dislike.
Hey,man,stab me
Challenging the person to physically harm them.
That's right
Affirming that the previous statements are accurate and truthful.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DevinRyanVitek
Absolutely rocking. Awesome chorus and E string lick by Dregen in it too