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)
U.F.O. Romeo
Backyard Babies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't, can't, can't, can't do
Sometimes I feel like shit
So don't waste my fucking time
I don't need no family
Just a big fat check of royalties
But I just don't seem to get it through
And I see-see-see-see-can't do anything
No, I see-see-see-see-can't do anything
You live like a wannabe
In this sick society
And you, re sitting next to me
Can't you fuckin', see
I know how I ended up here
I took your piece of shit for real
And I see-see-see-see-can't do anything
No, I see-see-see-see-can't do anything
I can't do nothing
And I see-see-see-see-can't do anything
No, I see-see-see-see-can't do anything
Cause I'm a U.F.O. Romeo
Well, I'm a U.F.O. Romeo
Well, I'm a U.F.O. Romeo
Well, I, m a U.F.O. Romeo
The lyrics to Backyard Babies' song U.F.O. Romeo convey a sense of frustration and disillusionment with contemporary society. The repeated refrain of "can't do" highlights a feeling of helplessness or powerlessness, while the reference to a "big fat check of royalties" suggests an underlying desire for financial security and recognition.
The verses focus on the singer's struggle to find meaning or purpose in their life, despite knowing what they want to do. The line "I know how I ended up here" suggests a sense of regret or disappointment with past choices, while the reference to a "piece of shit" could be interpreted as a symbol of the societal pressures that have led the singer to where they are now.
Overall, the song could be interpreted as a commentary on the harsh realities of trying to succeed in a world that often feels stacked against us. The reference to being a "U.F.O. Romeo" could be seen as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the idea of alienation or outsider status that often accompanies being a struggling artist or individual.
Line by Line Meaning
I can´t, can´t, can´t, can´t do
I am incapable of doing anything, no matter how hard I try
Sometimes I feel like shit
I occasionally feel terrible about myself and my life
So don´t waste my fucking time
Please do not bother me or waste my time with pointless conversations or actions
I don´t need no family
I don't require the support or presence of a family or close relationships
Just a big fat check of royalties
I only desire financial success through the royalties from my artistic work
I know what I want to do
I have a clear understanding of my goals and ambitions
But I just don´t seem to get it through
Unfortunately, I am struggling to accomplish what I desire
And I see-see-see-see-can´t do anything
Despite my efforts, I am unable to achieve my goals
You live like a wannabe
You live a fake or unauthentic life
In this sick society
In a society characterized by corruption and moral decay
And you´re sitting next to me
Despite my disapproval, you are still in my presence
Can´t you fuckin´ see
Why can't you realize what is happening around you?
I know how I ended up here
I am aware of how my actions and choices led me to my current situation
I took your piece of shit for real
I took your worthless words or actions seriously and now regret it
And I see-see-see-see-can´t do anything
Despite acknowledging my mistakes, I am unable to do anything to change my situation
I can´t do nothing
I am completely powerless and unable to take any action
Cause I´m a U.F.O. Romeo
I am a hopeless individual who chases after something that is unattainable
Well, I´m a U.F.O. Romeo
I am unsuccessful in relationships or life in general, resembling the tragic figure of Romeo from Shakespeare's play
Well, I´m a U.F.O. Romeo
I am a recurring failure, unable to achieve my goals and dreams
Well, I´m a U.F.O. Romeo
I am a lost cause, repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREAS SVENSSON, ANDREAS TYRONE SVENSSON, NIKLAS ROGER BORG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind