The Uglies have earned residencies at several venues in the Mid Atlantic region, and have been spreading their sound at live shows around the country since 2009. Their music and popularity has organically spread throughout the East Coast, and 2011 and beyond will see Bumpin’ Uglies touring new cities around the nation, spreading their trademark laid back yet precise live performances. The Uglies have the mettle to carry the torch of the reggae/ska/rock genre into the future; to be the band that builds its own success simply by delivering memorable music from their souls; music which listeners can relate to and fully embrace.
Bumpin’ Uglies released their debut LP, Free Candy, in June of 2011. Not since Sublime was selling 40 oz. to Freedom out of the back of their van has an independent LP surprised the listening public with such well-crafted and prolific sounds. Free Candy dares to feel accessible and raw in a rootsy sense, with real, sparkling talent and versatility giving the entire album excellent shape and allure throughout. Lead singer and song writer, Brandon Hardesty proudly claims that, “Free Candy is music for people with real lives and real problems. Most of the songs are based on experiences I’ve had throughout my twenties, so I think there are themes in the songs that most people can relate to.”
Serotonin
Bumpin Uglies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A shame spiral that devolves into existential dread
And then the guilt that follows at the weakness you possess
To feel like this to be like this, why am I such a mess
A self fulfilling prophecy that doesn′t have to be
We don't need to be victim of our biology
When the walls feel like they′re
Closing in, when darkness blankets all
There′s nothing wrong with feeling wrong
You can be fixed if you are broken
Some of us need help becoming strong
Because we're short on serotonin
Well a sickness in your brain
It′s a sickness all the same
And if you're fixing for a change
Then you can fix the pain
Mental health is paramount
But it′s not guaranteed
Some of us must work harder for that which comes naturally
But the toil of the ascent brings the beauty of the peak
The poet and the author offer up their worst critiques
I'm chemically unbalanced, but I am not ashamed
To admit I take a pill to calm down my mind′s hurricane
There's nothing wrong with feeling wrong
You can be fixed if you are broken
Some of us need help becoming strong
Because we're short on serotonin
Because we′re short on serotonin
Because we′re short on serotonin
The song "Serotonin" by Bumpin Uglies touches on the topic of mental illness and the struggle to maintain a balanced chemical state in the brain. The lyrics describe the feeling of waking up to a day that already feels like a loss, leading to a spiral of negative thoughts and guilt. However, the song offers hope and a reminder that help is available for those who may be struggling.
The chorus emphasizes that there is nothing wrong with feeling wrong and that seeking help is a way to become "fixed" and "strong." The lyrics acknowledge that mental health may require more work for some individuals and that it is not a guaranteed aspect of life. The song also acknowledges the stigma surrounding mental illness and medication but encourages listeners to embrace and accept their own struggles.
The verses highlight the importance of seeking help and finding methods for improvement, emphasizing that mental health is paramount. The decision to take medication is depicted as a brave step towards controlling one's own mental state. The final line, "Because we're short on serotonin," serves as a reminder that chemical imbalances can be the root cause of mental illness and that seeking help is a natural step towards obtaining a balanced state.
Overall, "Serotonin" is a powerful and honest portrayal of the struggle with mental illness and the importance of receiving help for those who need it.
Line by Line Meaning
Some days feel like they are a loss before getting out of bed
There are days where it feels like nothing will go right, even before you start the day
A shame spiral that devolves into existential dread
A feeling of shame that spirals into a sense of meaninglessness and existential anxiety
And then the guilt that follows at the weakness you possess
A sense of guilt for not being able to handle things better
To feel like this to be like this, why am I such a mess
Questioning why you feel this way and why it's such a struggle to overcome it
A self fulfilling prophecy that doesn′t have to be
Realizing that it's possible to break the cycle of negative thoughts and emotions
We don't need to be victim of our biology
Rejecting the idea that we are powerless to our genetics and brain chemistry
When the walls feel like they′re
Closing in, when darkness blankets all
You're not alone, it's not forever, there′s help that you can call
When the world feels like it's closing in and everything is dark, there are people to turn to for support and it won't last forever
There′s nothing wrong with feeling wrong
Accepting that it's okay to not feel okay
You can be fixed if you are broken
Believing that it's possible to heal and improve mental health
Some of us need help becoming strong
Because we're short on serotonin
Acknowledging that some people require additional support to build mental resilience due to a chemical imbalance
Well a sickness in your brain
It′s a sickness all the same
And if you're fixing for a change
Then you can fix the pain
Mental illness is just as much of a sickness as physical illness, but it can be treated and overcome
Mental health is paramount
But it′s not guaranteed
Recognizing the importance of mental health, but that it's not always easy to maintain
Some of us must work harder for that which comes naturally
For some people, maintaining good mental health requires more effort than it does for others
But the toil of the ascent brings the beauty of the peak
The journey to improving mental health may be difficult, but the reward is worth it
The poet and the author offer up their worst critiques
Even creative and successful people can struggle with self-doubt and criticism
I'm chemically unbalanced, but I am not ashamed
To admit I take a pill to calm down my mind′s hurricane
Accepting that there is a chemical imbalance that requires medication to manage, and not feeling ashamed for seeking help
Because we're short on serotonin
Because we′re short on serotonin
Because we′re short on serotonin
Reiterating the idea that some people lack sufficient levels of serotonin and require additional support to improve mental health
Contributed by Lila Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
George Lang
Brandon, thanks for the snapchat shout out when you were in Texas with Audic Empire hanging with my cousin Wes. Your lyrics resonate with me so much. It's like you put my thoughts into words with amazing music. Mental health is a daily struggle. And I FEEL this track. THANK YOU! You guys are truly helping people, and we love you guys for it.
Michael Long
Love the acoustic and love the official. Keep killing it my dude 🤙
Simply Sarai
you did it again BOYS! 🥺🔥💛
shanonhuck69
My son absolutely loved you guys.. We played and sing your songs together.. he related to your songs. I lost him forever on June 23, he committed suicide, he was 29. Your music kept the voices at bay for him. Thank you. I just wanted you to know that.
Marshall
A friend of mine sent this to me just now and I love her so much. She’s so sweet...she doesn’t deserve this pain.
Robert Fryer
You guys just get me in my zone every day thank you BU!!! Keep the good vibes coming!!!!
Life of Max
Loving it guys wishing you all the best during these harsh times
Bumpin Uglies
Right back at ya!
Rose Gold
I've been waiting for this to drop, couldnt find it after that Corona Session and it was driving me crazy
AliKat
Same!!!