The group released their self-titled first album in 1994 on Okeh/Epic, a subsidiary of Sony Music. On the strength of the single "Cold Beverage", in part due to MTV rotation, the album nearly went gold. After which, trying to capitalize on the success of the album, the group toured heavily, eventually landing a spot on the H.O.R.D.E. tour.
In 1995 they released their follow up album Coast to Coast Motel. Though it did not sell as well as the first album, it is generally considered among critics as the stronger of the two albums.
On tour following the release of the second album the group nearly broke up, due to bickering about finances. Deciding on a hiatus the three members went their separate ways, working on various side projects.
By October 1997 the group had reconciled their differences and released their third album, Yeah, It's That Easy, which along with their own work, showcased their collaboration with several other bands and musicians, including All Fellas Band, Philly Cartel, King's Court, and Dr. John. This soul-influenced album was more similar to their debut album than their previous release.
Soon after G. Love & Special Sauce set out on another world tour, returning to Philadelphia in 1999 for the release of their fourth album, Philadelphonic. Philadelphonic was followed up with Electric Mile in 2001, an album that shows the wide-ranging influences of the group, incorporating hip-hop, funk, psychedlia, blues, and soul in equal and ambitious measure. Ever the road band, the release of "Electric Mile" was followed by extensive touring.
By 2004 and The Hustle, G. Love (with the help of his bandmates and others) went solo and had eased up a little on the kitchen sink approach, offering instead a cohesive, dry groove reminiscent of his earliest efforts. Hustle was also the first G. Love release under Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records banner; the two had been pals at least since Philadelphonic, which Johnson had been a guest on.
Special Sauce did a series of shows in 2004 with Jack Johnson and fellow Brushfire artist Donavon Frankenreiter, and the trio also found time to issue a brief live EP, titled Some Live Songs.
In the summer 2005, the band was featured (along with the less well known Philly local Chuck Treece of 80's skate-rock band McRad) in an advertisement for the launch of Coca-Cola Zero, featuring the groups own unique version of the noted Coca-Cola advertising song I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.
G. Love's 2nd electrical solo release Lemonade also included Special Sauce on some tracks. Jack Johnson, Tristan Prettyman, Ben Harper, Jasper, and Blackalicious also contrbuted.
G. Love still continues to tour with the Special Sauce in the meantime.
Soda Pop
G. Love & Special Sauce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like cough drop
Like chicken lo mein
I'm the main dish
The main man
Wild west
Smooth as swiss
Gimme a kiss 'cause I like it
Oh I like it like that
A hit from the bat
I walk like a dog
Cool like a cat
I'm dressin' kind of funny
Spendin' my money
That girl got the junk
But love got drunk
I like to work 'em
I like to jump 'em ? ? ?
I never never never find some ? ? ?
? ? ?
? ? ?
Well earl couldn't leave the camera ? ? ?
But still wants some more
? ? ?
? ? ?
Although I might forget
Oh gooo gaa gaa
I have the night before
She said I snore
But I'm too busy sleeping
I'm too busy sleeping sleeping
Keeping ? ? ?
? ? ?
That grates on my brain ? ? ?
Drop the bomb ? ? ?
Drop the bomb
Drop the bomb
I got the long legs
The long car
A long time to keep a satisfyin'
When ? ? ?
I glide like a trolley
Flow like a leaf
I fall like a feather
But find no relief into action
Well I'm cashin'
Well I forgot your name baby
And that's why I'm askin'
Whoah whoah whoah
Now I know where I stand
Above reality ? ? ?
Sometimes I gotta settle down
With a comic book
And a soda pop
And a soda pop
Lemon soda pop
Hey thanks a lot
The lyrics to G. Love & Special Sauce's song Soda Pop seem to be a collection of musical thoughts put together in a seemingly random order. The song opens with the repetition of the words, "I like," which suggests an appreciation and pleasure in many different things. G. Love mentions soda pop, cough drops, and chicken lo mein, which are all separate entities but have one thing in common: they are all enjoyed by the artist. The artist then refers to himself as the "main man," "Wild West," and "smooth as swiss," further emphasizing his confidence and coolness. He requests a kiss because he likes it, indicating that he is enjoying the moment.
The next section of the song seems to jump from topic to topic, with lyrics that may not make sense on their own. G. Love mentions walking like a dog but being cool like a cat, which may reflect his laid-back and confident personality. He also highlights his fashion style and how he spends his money on clothes. The line, "that girl got the junk but love got drunk," suggests that while physical attractiveness may initially catch his attention, it is ultimately a deeper connection that he values.
In the final section, G. Love describes his daily routine and how he finds solace in simple pleasures such as reading a comic book and drinking a soda pop. He seems to suggest that taking a break from reality and indulging in small joys is essential for mental health and peace of mind.
Line by Line Meaning
I like soda pop
I enjoy drinking soda and find it refreshing
I like cough drop
I enjoy the taste of cough drops, perhaps as a result of being sick often
Like chicken lo mein
I also enjoy eating Chinese food
I'm the main dish
I am important and stand out among my peers like a main dish at a dinner party
The main man
I am a leader and important figure in my social circles
Wild west
I live life freely and unconventionally, like the Wild West
Smooth as Swiss
I am suave and effortlessly cool, like Swiss cheese
Gimme a kiss 'cause I like it
I enjoy physical affection and would like a kiss from someone I am attracted to
I like it like this
I enjoy things the way they are and don't want them to change
Oh I like it like that
I really like things the way they are
A hit from the bat
I am successful and accomplish my goals, like hitting a baseball with a bat
I walk like a dog
I have a confident and assertive gait, like a dog on a walk
Cool like a cat
I am calm and collected under pressure, like a cat
I'm dressin' kind of funny
I have a unique and quirky fashion sense that might be considered unconventional
Spendin' my money
I enjoy spending my money and treating myself to nice things
That girl got the junk
There is a woman who has a physical trait that I find attractive
But love got drunk
I have fallen in love with this woman, despite any flaws or imperfections
I like to work 'em
I enjoy the process of obtaining someone's attention or affection
I like to jump 'em
I enjoy taking risks and putting myself out there, even if the outcome is uncertain
I never never never find some
I have not yet found someone who is the perfect match for me
Well earl couldn't leave the camera
I am making a reference to an unknown person named Earl who is easily distracted from his work
But still wants some more
Earl is still interested in chasing after his desires, even if he is easily sidetracked
Although I might forget
Even if I lose sight of my priorities or get distracted like Earl, I still have goals and desires
Oh gooo gaa gaa
I am unsure of what to say or do in a certain situation, as if I am a baby babbling
I have the night before
I have experienced a past event that lingers in my mind
She said I snore
I have been told that I snore while sleeping
But I'm too busy sleeping
I prioritize getting enough rest and sleep over other concerns
I'm too busy sleeping sleeping
I am very committed to getting enough rest every night
Keeping
I am focused on maintaining my health and well-being by getting enough sleep
That grates on my brain
Something is bothering me and causing me distress, like a sound that is grating
Drop the bomb
I need to take action to resolve a problem or issue, like dropping a bomb on it
I got the long legs
I have an attractive physical trait, like long legs
The long car
I have a vehicle that is long or impressive
A long time to keep a satisfyin'
I am able to maintain my satisfaction or happiness over a long period of time
When
I am happy and satisfied with my life unless certain circumstances arise
I glide like a trolley
I am smooth and graceful, like a trolley or rollercoaster
Flow like a leaf
I am able to go with the flow and stay flexible, like a leaf flowing downstream
I fall like a feather
I am light and graceful, like a feather falling from the sky
But find no relief into action
Despite my graceful demeanor, I sometimes struggle to take action or resolve problems
Well I'm cashin'
I am enjoying financial success and making the most of it
Well I forgot your name baby
I have a tendency to forget names or other details about people I meet
And that's why I'm askin'
I am asking for someone to remind me of their name because I have forgotten it
Now I know where I stand
I have a clear understanding of my position and role in a certain situation
Above reality
I am a dreamer and tend to be optimistic, seeing the best in situations
Sometimes I gotta settle down
Even though I am a dreamer, I know that I need to be practical and realistic from time to time
With a comic book
I find enjoyment in reading comic books as a way to relax and escape reality
And a soda pop
I also enjoy drinking soda as a treat to myself
Lemon soda pop
I have a preference for a specific flavor of soda, lemon
Hey thanks a lot
I appreciate the conversation, thanks for talking with me
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Garrett Dutton, Jeff Clemens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind