Each year, critics at the Chicago Tribune name a "Chicagoan of the Year." The 2008 winner for music was Local H.
Local H started as hard-rock duo formed by Scott Lucas (vocals/guitar/bass) and Joe Daniels (drums). The two began in 1987 at their mainline high school in Zion. After failed attempts at recruiting a bassist, Lucas added bass pickups to his electric guitar.
Local H's 1995 debut Ham Fisted was released to lukewarm reception, but their 1996 follow-up As Good as Dead was certified gold and contained the hits "Bound for the Floor" and "Eddie Vedder." It was better received by critics, as was 1998's Pack Up the Cats, which spawned the single "All the Kids Are Right." Unfortunately, their label Polygram merged with Universal, and the album was all but forgotten in transition.
Daniels left in 1999. Lucas recruited recent Triplefastaction drummer Brian St. Clair later that year. St. Clair was a drum tech for Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick. Lucas and St. Clair released their first album together, Here Comes the Zoo, in 2002 on Palm Pictures. The No Fun EP came next in 2003, and Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles? followed in 2004 to favorable reviews, with the track "Everyone Alive" being featured in the 2004 video game Burnout 3. The break-up concept album 12 Angry Months followed in 2008, and to coincide with the 2012 presidential election the group issued Hallelujah! I'm a Bum that year, both albums receiving critical praise.
Brian St. Clair would amicably leave the band, playing his last show in November 2013, before Ryan Harding joined to fill in his spot. In 2015, the duo would issue their ninth studio album Hey, Killer through G&P Records, an independent label they operate that has also been utilized for smaller releases for the band in the past. In 2020, the duo iussued Lifers through AntiFragile Music.
Local H garnered good publicity for a cover of the Britney Spears hit "Toxic". The cover was available on the band's web site and is the last track on the otherwise live album Alive '05, issued in 2005. "Toxic" has been performed at recent concerts.
Local H is known for creativity in concerts. In 2003, the band auctioned off a concert on eBay, and in 2004, performed at Fritz's Corner in Zion. In 2005, the duo performed a series of set-list request shows, where the audience got to vote on what they wanted the band to play. Gabe Rodriguez often accompanied the band on tour and provided back-up vocals or kazoo playing.
Every Halloween, Local H plays in Ardmore, masquerading as a certain group. They have performed as Nirvana, Tom Petty, Oasis, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and Sex Pistols.
President Forever
Local H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm head of state and here to stay
The officer elect all of your life
I'm the leader till the end of your days
I'm president forever
Accountable to no one no more
Daddy look at me, I'm a big boy now
Who wants to go back to war with Iraq
Who wants to shoot a sling shot full of rocks of crack
Who wants to go and give the French their fuckin' statue back
I want to take it all
I'm president forever
America, you found your man
If we can all agree on this one thing
You know you'll never have to vote again
I'm president forever
I finally get to do it my way
I wanna take a ride in Air Force One now
Laugh in the face of the national debt
I wanna build the free world and make them pay back rent
I wanna take the statue back from the fuckin' french
Dad, I'll make you proud
I'm president forever
Piss up and down the walls of the Oval Office
Pal around with the boys in the Secret Service
Calling my connection for a party at Camp David
The first lady's not invited
The first lady's not invited
I'm president forever
I'm president forever
Who wants to go back to war with Iraq
Who wants to shoot a slingshot full of rocks of crack
Who wants to go and give the French their fuckin' statue back
I wanna take it all
Laugh in the face of the national debt (take it all, take it all)
I wanna build the free world and make them pay back rent (take it all, take it all)
I wanna take the statue back from the fuckin' French (take it all, take it all)
Dad, I'll make you proud (take it all, take it all)
I'm president forever
The song “President Forever” by Local H is a satirical commentary on the political system in the United States. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a power-hungry politician who declares himself as the president forever. He claims that he is the head of the state and accountable to no one. He even jokes about pissing up and down the walls of the Oval Office and calls for a party at Camp David, without inviting the first lady.
The lyrics also take a jab at certain political decisions, such as going back to war with Iraq, shooting slingshots full of rocks and crack, and giving the French their statue back. The politician desires to “take it all,” meaning that he wants to have absolute power and control over everything. He even aspires to make his father proud by building the “free world” and making them pay back rent. The song highlights the absurdity and corruption within the political system, where power-hungry politicians often take advantage of their positions and exploit the system for their personal gain.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm president forever
I have ultimate power and control over this country for as long as I desire.
I'm head of state and here to stay
I hold the highest position of authority in the nation and will not be leaving anytime soon.
The officer elect all of your life
I have been democratically elected and will continue to hold this position until the end of your life.
I'm the leader till the end of your days
I will continue to lead and govern this country until death, regardless of public opinion or term limits.
Accountable to no one no more
I am not subject to any form of scrutiny or punishment for my actions as president.
Daddy look at me, I'm a big boy now
I have achieved the highest level of power and authority, proving myself to my father and the world.
A brat to the manor born
I have always been privileged and entitled, with an innate sense of superiority over others.
Who wants to go back to war with Iraq
I am eager to engage in military conflict and show my strength as commander-in-chief.
Who wants to shoot a sling shot full of rocks of crack
I am prepared to use unconventional and extreme measures to assert dominance.
Who wants to go and give the French their fuckin' statue back
I seek to reclaim assets and resources from other nations, disregarding diplomatic relations and historical significance.
I want to take it all
I desire complete control and possession over everything within my reach.
America, you found your man
I am the ideal leader for this nation and will provide everything that the people want and need.
If we can all agree on this one thing
I am willing to work with the people to accomplish common goals, as long as they agree with me.
You know you'll never have to vote again
I will ensure that elections are no longer necessary, as my permanent grip on power will eliminate the need for democracy.
I finally get to do it my way
I am thrilled to finally have complete control over the government and all of its decisions.
I wanna take a ride in Air Force One now
I am eager to use the luxuries and privileges that come with the presidency to their fullest extent.
Piss up and down the walls of the Oval Office
I am willing to engage in immature and disrespectful behavior in order to assert my power and authority.
Pal around with the boys in the Secret Service
I seek to cultivate close and personal relationships with those who are tasked with protecting me and my interests.
Calling my connection for a party at Camp David
I am eager to use my position to solicit favors and connections for personal gain.
The first lady's not invited
I do not value the importance or presence of my partner, as I am solely focused on my own desires and needs.
Laugh in the face of the national debt
I am unconcerned with the financial stability and well-being of the nation, and will act recklessly in order to fulfill my goals.
I wanna build the free world and make them pay back rent
I believe that I have the power and authority to demand payment from other nations for their use of our resources and support of our ideals.
Dad, I'll make you proud
I seek to impress and gain the approval of my father, who likely instilled my sense of entitlement and desire for power.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRIAN W., DAVID SCOTT LUCAS, ST. CLAIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charging Krogan
This deserves A LOT more views.
DcS751990
Matter of style, mate. I appreciate the fact that they can make a crowd move with only a 2 men line-up!
Lost Pawn
This needs an updated version!!!!
Don Nix
Lost Pawn No it really doesn’t. It was fine when it was written and does not need to be reworked with Donald Trump lyrics to suit people who either hate him love him. The song stands on its own.
Lost Pawn
Don Nix whomp whomp
Scott Mygatt
@Lost Pawn the first lady's not invited hahaha
Nobody Really
HA now it really needs one. Trump is definitely trying to be president forever
DcS751990
Sounds better in live.
Adam Smith
Best song to drive around angrily to loud as fuck
ralieghTsakers
no fun ep melted my face off a long long time ago