Influenced by SoCal punk rockers like Offspring and blink-182, as well as older bands from the area (which they learned about from their dad's record collection; he was the guitarist of T.S.O.L.), Max Kuehn (drums) and his brother Elvis (guitar/vocals) were playing punk shows around L.A. by their teens. By the time they were out of high school, guitarist/vocalist Zac Carper and bassist Brandon Schwartzel had joined up. Later the group went the independent route and started a homespun label to record material, while embracing the reaches of the Internet and making several videos to promote their music and as motivation to film their drunken antics.
Mom & Pop signed them in 2012 for their debut album, FIDLAR, which was released in early 2013. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and number two on the Alternative New Artist chart, and was the number one most added release at CMJ. After touring the world with bands like the Pixies, the Hives, Black Lips, and Wavves, the band ended up back home in need of a break. After starting a new album, but finding the songs and self-produced sound too FIDLAR-y for their liking, Carper headed out on a road trip, wrote a new batch of songs inspired by the music of his youth -- Elvis Kuehn and Schwartzel wrote some too -- and the band headed to Nashville to try again with producer Jay Joyce.
The resulting album, 2015's Too, featured a more mature outlook and some musical muscle, topping Billboard's Heatseekers chart and charting well in the U.K. and Australia. Following tours for Too, FIDLAR remained relatively quiet for a period, eventually beginning work on album number three with Ricky Reed, a producer better known for his work with mainstream pop acts like Kesha and Halsey. After a handful of advance singles in 2018, the band's third LP, Almost Free, was released in January 2019.
Biography by Jason Lymangrover
40oz. On Repeat
Fidlar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gangster whitewalls tv antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Though you may not drive a great big cadillac
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin the scene
For what you've got
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
With the gangster lean ooh ooh ooh
Though you may not drive a great big cadillac
Gangster whitewalls tv antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin the scene
With the Gangster lean
(x3)
The lyrics to "40oz. On Repeat" by Fidlar serve as a reworking of William DeVaughn's 1972 hit "Be Thankful for What You've Got," imbuing the original's message with a punk rock sensibility. The first verse of the song makes reference to the trappings of '70s car culture, painting a picture of a great big Cadillac with gangster whitewalls and a TV antenna in the back. However, the lyrics go on to assert that material objects aren't necessary for a sense of self-worth and respect; "you can still stand tall" and "just be thankful for what you've got," even if that's not a Cadillac. The second verse repeats this sentiment in slightly different language, with the same refrain of "diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene / with the gangster lean."
The song's punk rock sound and reworking of a classic soul hit make for a compelling commentary on DIY culture and making the best of what you have. The reference to Cadillacs and other symbols of wealth and status is especially poignant given the band's roots in Los Angeles, a city where car culture and conspicuous consumption are central to many people's identities. Overall, "40oz. On Repeat" is a reminder to appreciate what you have and not get bogged down in materialism.
Line by Line Meaning
Though you may not drive a great big cadillac
Even if you're not rich and successful, don't let that bring you down.
Gangster whitewalls tv antenna in the back
These are things associated with a luxurious lifestyle, but they don't necessarily lead to true happiness.
You may not have a car at all
You don't need to have material possessions to be happy and successful.
But just remember brothers and sisters
This is a reminder to everyone that they are not alone and can support each other.
You can still stand tall
Your perceived stature in society does not define your worth as a human being.
Just be thankful for what you've got
Appreciate the good things that you already have in your life, regardless of their size.
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin the scene
This describes a flashy lifestyle that might seem attractive, but it's not necessary for happiness.
With the gangster lean
This line could be interpreted as a sarcastic comment on the superficiality of that lifestyle.
Contributed by Elliot J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rigby
0:24 Sugar Ray - Fly
0:39 Suicidal Tendencies - Institutionalized
0:55 Missy Elliot - Supa Dupa Fly
1:05 Devo - Jocko Homo
1:21 Weezer - Sweater Song
1:35 Eminem - Real Slim Shady
1:43 Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right
1:57 Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity
2:13 Hives - Walk Idiot Walk
2:29 Oasis - Wonderwall
2:40 Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
2:47 Korn - Freak on a Leash
2:57 Britney Spears - Hit Me Baby
3:09 George Michael - Faith
3:31 Green Day - Good Riddance
:)
@teokantot7518
I don't know why it's so difficult for me
To talk to somebody I don't know
Well I've tried to ask you out about a thousand times
In my head, you just always say no
And I don't care at all, I'll drink some alcohol
It'll make me who I really wanna be
But I'm that kind of special person that drinks too much
Cause nobody understands me
Because everybody's got somebody, everybody but me
Why can't anybody just tell me that I'm somebody's?
I'm gonna lock myself inside my room, with this 40 ounce on repeat
I thought that if I cleaned up my act
It'll help me understand exactly who I am
But I hate to say that it just don't work like that
Cause I'm a special individual I don't need no plan
But I got bills to pay, and I got pills to take
Cause I'm born and raised in the USA
And I'll just scream and shout, that I'll never sell out
I'll never sell out, man!
Wait, how much?
Because everybody's got more money, they got more money than me
Why can't anybody just give me some more money?
Because everybody's got somebody, everybody but me
Why can't anybody just tell me that I'm somebody's?
I'm gonna lock myself inside my room, with the television on repeat
Because everybody's got somebody, everybody but me
Why can't anybody just tell me that I'm somebody's?
Because everybody's got somebody, everybody but me
Why can't anybody just tell me that I'm somebody's?
I'm gonna lock myself inside my room, with this 40 ounce on repeat
@wolfcub1835
I don't know why it's so difficult
For me to talk to somebody I don't know
Well I try to ask you out about a
Thousand times in my head you just always say no
And I don't care at all,
I'll drink some alcohol, it'll make me who I really wanna be
But i'm that kinda special person that
Drinks too much because nobody understands me
Because everybodys got somebody, everybody but me,
Why can't anybody just tell me that i'm, somebody's?
I'm gonna lock myself inside my room with this 40 ounce on repeat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
I thought that if I cleaned up my act
It'll help me understand exactly who I am
But I hate to say that it just don't work like that,
Because i'm a special individual I don't need a plan
But I got bills to pay,
And I got bills to pay because I'm born and raised in the USA
And I just scream and shout that i'll
Never sell out, I'll never sell out man!
Wait, How much?
Because everybody's got more money,
They got more money than me,
Why can't anybody just give some more, money?
Because everybodys got somebody, everybody but me,
Why can't anybody just tell me that i'm, somebody's?
I'm gonna lock myself inside my room with the television on repeat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Because everybodys got somebody, everybody but me,
Why can't anybody just tell me that i'm, somebody's?
Because everybodys got somebody, everybody but me,
Why can't anybody just tell me that i'm, somebody's?
I'm gonna lock myself inside my room with this 40 ounce on repeat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
Eat
@anonim72x
Bands in order:
00:24 Fly - Sugar Ray
00:39 Suicidal Tendencies - Institutionalized"
00:55 Missy Elliott - The Rain
01:04 Devo - Jocko Homo
01:20 Weezer - The Sweater Song
01:33 Eminem - The Real Slim Shady
01:43 Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right
01:57 Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity
02:12 The Hives - Walk Idiot Walk
02:27 Oasis - Wonderwall
02:39 Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
02:46 Korn - Freak On a Leash
02:54 Britney Spears - Baby One More Time
03:10 George Michael - Faith
03:31 Green Day -Good Riddance
@rigby
0:24 Sugar Ray - Fly
0:39 Suicidal Tendencies - Institutionalized
0:55 Missy Elliot - Supa Dupa Fly
1:05 Devo - Jocko Homo
1:21 Weezer - Sweater Song
1:35 Eminem - Real Slim Shady
1:43 Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right
1:57 Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity
2:13 Hives - Walk Idiot Walk
2:29 Oasis - Wonderwall
2:40 Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
2:47 Korn - Freak on a Leash
2:57 Britney Spears - Hit Me Baby
3:09 George Michael - Faith
3:31 Green Day - Good Riddance
:)
@dragkid185
rigby Thanks for listing where all the stages came from!
@JohnShinyable
rigby you da real mvp
@JohnShinyable
rigby I just realized it was all writen in the beginning of the clip. This guy did nothing lol
@kennyfreeman3089
rigby :v
@Hawksox11
I don't get it?
@Austin48HD
I was listening to a radio interview with Zac the other day and the station asked him "Why are FIDLAR's songs always so funny" and he simply replied "The band is collectively like that one kid in school that is super happy on the outside and makes everyone one laugh,but on the inside is super depressed". After that I though back to when I went to see them live and briefly met Zac (Super nice dude,btw), I remember the smile he had when I told him that I loved FIDLAR's sound and how excited I was for the new album. I feel like the small things like that really mean a lot to these guys.
@Immahacka123
I totally agree :)
@mr7wi
+Austin48HD Thanks for the post.
@MRLein93
+Austin48HD You have no clue, but on behalf of everyone in their situation emotionally, thank you.