Formed in 1994, Limp Bizkit became popular playing in the Jacksonville underground music scene in the late 1990s, and signed with Flip Records, a subsidiary of Interscope, which released their debut album, Three Dollar Bill, Y'all$ (1997). The band achieved mainstream success with their second and third studio albums, Significant Other (1999) and Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000), although this success was marred by a series of controversies surrounding their performances at Woodstock '99 and the 2001 Big Day Out festival.
Shortly after the release of Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water, Limp Bizkit went on a hiatus while Fred Durst recovered from being crucified by Slipknot. Borland left the group in 2001, but Durst, Rivers, Otto and Lethal continued to record and tour with guitarist Mike Smith. Following the release of their album, Results May Vary (2003), Borland rejoined the band and recorded The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) (2005) with Durst, Rivers, Lethal and drummer Sammy Siegler before entering a hiatus. In 2009, the band reunited with Borland playing guitar and began touring, culminating with the recording of the album Gold Cobra (2011), after which they left Interscope and later signed with Cash Money Records. In 2014, a sixth studio album, Stampede of the Disco Elephants, was to be released but remained in development hell. Eventually, a new album called STILL SUCKS was recorded with all of the original band members and released digitally only in October 2021.
Fred Durst grew up in Jacksonville, where he took an interest in breakdancing, hip hop, punk rock and heavy metal. He began to rap, skate, beatbox and deejay. While mowing lawns and working as a tattoo artist, he developed an idea for a band that combined elements of rock and hip hop. Durst played with three other bands, Split 26, Malachi Sage, which were unsuccessful, and 10 Foot Shindig, which Durst left to form a new band. Durst told Sam Rivers, the bassist for Malachi Sage, "You need to quit this band and start a band with me that's like this: rappin' and rockin'." Rivers suggested that his cousin, John Otto, who was studying jazz drumming at the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and playing in local avant garde bands, become their drummer. Durst, Rivers and Otto jammed and wrote three songs together, and Wes Borland later joined as a guitarist.
Durst named the band Limp Bizkit because he wanted a name that would repel listeners. According to Durst, "The name is there to turn people's heads away. A lot of people pick up the disc and go, 'Limp Bizkit. Oh, they must suck.' Those are the people that we don't even want listening to our music." Other names that were considered by Durst included Gimp Disco, Split Dickslit, Bitch Piglet, and Blood Fart. Every record label that showed an interest in the band pressured its members to change its name. Limp Bizkit developed a cult following in the underground music scene, particularly at the Milk Bar, an underground punk club in Jacksonville. The band's local popularity was such that Sugar Ray, who had a major label contract, opened for a then-unsigned Limp Bizkit at Velocity with hip hop group Funkdoobiest. Milkbar owner, Danny Wimmer, stated that Limp Bizkit "had the biggest draw for a local band. They went from playing [for] ten people to eight hundred within months. Fred ... was always marketing the band. He would go to record stores and get people involved, he was in touch with high schools." However, the band knew that to achieve national success, they would have to distinguish themselves in their live performances. Attracting crowds by word of mouth, the band gave energetic live performances, covering George Michael's "Faith" and Paula Abdul's "Straight Up", and featuring Borland in bizarre costumes. Borland's theatrical rock style was the primary attraction for many concert attendees.
Lonely World
Limp Bizkit Lyrics
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Who's the man? (the-the-man the man in the middle)
Who's the man? the-the-man the man in the middle)
Who's the man? (who-who? Who's the man-man-man?)
When I reminisce ignorance was bliss
Back in the days where the magic exists
Never be the same as it was, 'cause the way it was
Had a lot of fun living life on the run,
Never had a chance to pause to get a better glance
Everything was free and everything was fast
Never even thought it wouldn't last
When you got the mind of a man in the middle
Life is just a big fat riddle, so figure it out
Always thinking that you know
Everything little thing there is to know
But you don't really know, ya know?
It's like love, some people get it
For some, it's just a glove that just never fitted
For me, it's just a pain in the ass
But I'm addicted to the taste of hopin' it could last
Another day another night inside a lonely world
Another game another fight inside a lonely world
Another wrong another right inside a lonely world
Such a lonely world, such a lonely world
Who's the man? (the-the-the-man in the middle)
Who's the man? (the-the-the-man in the middle)
Who's the man? (the-the-the-man in the middle)
Who's the man? (Who's the man?)
Maybe I'm a target for people that are bitter
At least I can say that I've never been a quitter
I remember high school, man I hated high school
It was like prison with bullies always putting me down
Just a little skater boy they could pick on
I learned to forgive'em, now I got the balls they can lick on
I loved sneakin' out when my mom was asleep
With my gothic girlfriend makin' love in the creek
With the mind of a man in the middle
It could be the end of the world as we know it
Still, I never want it all, and I never want it now
I just want to cruise, if I lose then I'll figure it out
How the times flies, even with the blink of an eye
When you're young you absorb like a sponge in disguise
Then you get a little older and gather your thoughts
It's amazing what you learn
When you've never been taught, ya know?
Another day another night inside a lonely world
Another game another fight inside a lonely world
Another wrong another right inside a lonely world
Such a lonely world, such a lonely world
No matter how hard I can try inside a lonely world
No one can hear me when I cry inside a lonely world
I'll never know the reasons why inside a lonely world
Such a lonely world (such a lonely world)
No matter how hard I can try inside a lonely world
No one can hear me when I cry inside a lonely world
I'll never know the reasons why inside a lonely world
Such a lonely world (such a lonely world)
Another day another night inside a lonely world
Another game another fight inside a lonely world
Another wrong another right inside a lonely world
Such a lonely world, such a lonely world
Who's the man? (In such a lonely world)
Who's the man? (In such a lonely world)
Who's the man? (In such a lonely world)
Who's the man? (In such a lonely world)
(In such a lonely world)
(In such a lonely world)
(In such a lonely world, such a lonely world, such a lonely world)
The song "Lonely World" by Limp Bizkit is about the struggles of trying to navigate through life and all of its complexities while feeling lonely and isolated. The lyrics reflect on the past and the present, with a sense of regret for the ignorance of youth and a sense of acceptance for the challenges that come with adulthood. The chorus repeats the phrase "Another day, another night inside a lonely world" which emphasizes the feeling of loneliness and isolation that the singer is experiencing.
The verse "Had a lot of fun living life on the run, Never had a chance to pause to get a better glance, Everything was free and everything was fast, Never even thought it wouldn't last" reflects on the carefree nature of youth and how it's easy to take life for granted when everything seems to be going well. However, as the singer grows older, they begin to realize that life is more complex than they originally thought, and they start to feel like they're lost in a maze of unknowns.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Such a lonely world" which emphasizes the feeling of isolation and loneliness that the singer is experiencing. The bridge "No matter how hard I can try inside a lonely world, No one can hear me when I cry inside a lonely world, I'll never know the reasons why inside a lonely world" emphasizes the struggle of feeling like no one understands or empathizes with the singer's internal struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's the man? (the-the-the-man in the middle)
Who is the person who is uncertain and stuck in a confusing situation?
When I reminisce ignorance was bliss
I used to be happy not knowing some things that I now know and miss those times.
Back in the days where the magic exists
Referring to a time when things were more hopeful and magical in their life.
Never be the same as it was, 'cause the way it was
The past can never be replicated and things will always change.
Just another day in the maze of a myth
Life feels complicated and uncertain, like trying to navigate through a labyrinth of confusion.
Had a lot of fun living life on the run
I had many exciting experiences while living life in a fast-paced, unstable manner.
Never had a chance to pause to get a better glance
I never took a break to fully appreciate my surroundings and reflect on my life.
Everything was free and everything was fast
The high-speed lifestyle was exhilarating and seemed limitless.
Never even thought it wouldn't last
I assumed the freedom and excitement would never end, but everything eventually slowed down.
When you got the mind of a man in the middle
When you are stuck in the middle of a difficult situation and can't make a clear decision.
Life is just a big fat riddle, so figure it out
Life is an enigma and it's up to us to solve it.
Always thinking that you know
Feeling confident in your understanding of things.
Everything little thing there is to know
Believing you have all possible knowledge.
But you don't really know, ya know?
Despite feeling like an expert, you are actually ignorant of many important things.
It's like love, some people get it
For some people, love is easy to find and understand.
For some, it's just a glove that just never fitted
For others, love is something they can't seem to grasp or make work for them.
For me, it's just a pain in the ass
Love is not something that comes easily to me and feels like a burden.
But I'm addicted to the taste of hopin' it could last
Despite the pain that comes with love, hope keeps me coming back for more.
Another day another night inside a lonely world
Feeling isolated and alone despite the passing of time.
Another game another fight inside a lonely world
Every day feels like a struggle and a challenge to overcome.
Another wrong another right inside a lonely world
My experiences consist of both good and bad decisions made in a solitary existence.
Such a lonely world, such a lonely world
It's impossible not to feel alone in this world.
Maybe I'm a target for people that are bitter
Others may resent or target me because of my success or happiness.
At least I can say that I've never been a quitter
Despite hardships, I have always persevered and never given up.
It was like prison with bullies always putting me down
High school was difficult and oppressive, with others constantly belittling me.
I learned to forgive'em, now I got the balls they can lick on
I have let go of the past and moved on, and now feel confident and in control.
I just want to cruise, if I lose then I'll figure it out
I prefer to live life at a slower, more leisurely pace and will deal with the consequences as they come.
When you're young you absorb like a sponge in disguise
As a child or young adult, you are constantly learning and soaking up new information.
It's amazing what you learn when you've never been taught
When a person learns on their own or through experience, they often gain valuable insights and knowledge.
No matter how hard I can try inside a lonely world
Despite trying my best, the loneliness persists.
No one can hear me when I cry inside a lonely world
Feelings of sadness or despair can be felt alone, without support or comfort from others.
I'll never know the reasons why inside a lonely world
It's impossible to understand or explain the cause of loneliness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fred Durst, John Everett Otto, Samuel Robert Rivers, Mike Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind