The name OPM, according to the band's frontman John E. Necro, is an abbreviation of the phrase "Open People's Minds". This was stated during an interview with MarijuanaRadio.com.
Their debut single "Heaven Is a Halfpipe" charted world wide. Both their debut single and album, Menace to Sobriety were released on Atlantic Records in September 2000. In 2002, they signed to Suburban Noize Records who released three album and two EPs.
Their second album, ForThemAsses, was released in June 2004. The album was produced by OPM and Steve Gallagher. Their third album was California Poppy, released in July 2006. OPM released their fourth album, Golden State Of Mind in September 2008.
Fish Out of Water
OPM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you don't know why your going,
Everyday it's just the same, it's stupid and boring and it feels like you're going insane.
Right now you don't understand it
Slow down there's no reason to panic because one day your still gonna make it,
But ya can't get that far when your a fish outta water my friend
Marco polo you're a fish outta water and I bet you didn't know
Everyday life's getting harder and you're living like a fish outta water
You can't breath or you, don't bother
That's what its like when your a fish outta water
You wake up one day look around and realize your losing time
The tide has got you and you watch as your life starts to divide
Thought you'd go with the flow and the next thing you know feels like your drowning
Take a step back, check yourself, make sure you don't fuck it up, and then you do it again
Right now you don't understand it
Slow down there's no reason to panic because one day your still gonna make it,
But ya can't get that far when your a fish outta water my friend
Marco polo don't you know that's how the game goes,
Marco polo you're a fish outta water and I bet you didn't know
Everyday life's getting harder and you're living like a fish outta water
You can't breath or you, don't bother
That's what its like when your a fish outta water
Now I'm underwater so deep that I'm blind feeling around in hopes
That I'd find, inspiration
Or something that would touch me
Grounded so deep my feet can't even move me.
Time runnin' in the rat race all day
I'm thinking whose life is it anyway
Feelin' worthless can't find the surface
Swimmin' in my mind just to find the purpose
And the tides all low and I'm all exposed
Eyes froze makes me wonder bout this path I chose
Nobody told you when to run, Bang Bang
You missed the starting gun
Everyday life's getting harder and you're living like a fish outta water
You can't breath or you, don't bother
That's what its like when your a fish outta water
Everyday life's getting harder and you're living like a fish outta water
You can't breath or you, don't bother
That's what its like when your a fish outta water
The lyrics of OPM's "Fish Outa Water" is a contemplation of the dullness and suffocation one feels in life when stuck in a routine. The song paints a picture of a mundane Monday morning, going to work without any sense of purpose, and feeling like you're on the brink of insanity. However, the song acknowledges that there's hope for a way out of the monotonous cycle. It reminds the listener that it's not too late to search for a way to make life more meaningful. The lyrics suggest taking a step back, checking one's self, and starting again.
The chorus uses the metaphor of being a "fish out of water" to further emphasize how difficult it is to swim against the tide of everyday life. It's expository to be attentive to the challenges that you might face when trying to break out of your monotony. Most people don't know what it's like to be a fish out of water, but when we do feel like that way, it's like we can't breathe, and we feel like we're on the verge of giving up.
The last stanza of the lyrics is an introspection, and the lyrics reveal the singer's thoughts: "Nobody told you when to run, Bang Bang / You missed the starting gun." It's a lamentation that comes from recognizing that you've lost time and not taken advantage of opportunities.
* OPM is a Filipino rock band that was formed in 1994.
* Fish Outa Water was released in 2003 as part of their album "Hanging Out."
* The song was written by OPM's frontman, Jayson "Japs" Sergio.
* Sergio was inspired to write the song after feeling stuck in a job he hated and not knowing what to do with his life.
* Fish Outa Water features a memorable guitar riff throughout the song.
* Despite its alternative rock sound, Fish Outa Water gained popularity in the Philippines and became a national hit.
* Fish Outa Water's success earned OPM international recognition, and the band toured the United States in 2003.
* The band's name, OPM, stands for "Original Pinoy Music," which makes them distinctively Filipino.
* The band is known for blending different musical styles, most notably rock, hip-hop, and pop.
* Fish Outa Water remains one of OPM's most popular songs among fans in the Philippines.
Chords of Fish Outa Water by OPM: (as per chordify.net)
Verse: C - C - G - G
Chorus: Am - F - C - G
Bridge: Am - F - C - G
Line by Line Meaning
Picture this, another Monday morning, you go to work
Imagine starting another week of work
But you don't know why your going,
You feel like you're going to work without a clear purpose
Everyday it's just the same, it's stupid and boring and it feels like you're going insane.
Your routine job is monotonous, uninteresting, and driving you crazy
Right now you don't understand it
You don't comprehend the situation
Slow down there's no reason to panic because one day your still gonna make it,
Don't panic and take things one day at a time
But ya can't get that far when your a fish outta water my friend
It's hard to succeed when you're out of your element or struggling to adapt
Marco polo don't you know that's how the game goes,
The game of life is unpredictable and often requires adaptation
Marco polo you're a fish outta water and I bet you didn't know
You may not have realized that you're struggling to fit or adapt to your current situation
Everyday life's getting harder and you're living like a fish outta water
Everyday challenges are becoming more difficult and you feel like you don't belong
You can't breath or you, don't bother
You feel suffocated or apathetic towards your current situation
You wake up one day look around and realize your losing time
One day you may wake up and realize that you've wasted too much time
The tide has got you and you watch as your life starts to divide
External forces are pulling you in different directions and you feel like you're losing control of your life
Thought you'd go with the flow and the next thing you know feels like your drowning
You thought you could adapt to your surroundings but now you feel overwhelmed and lost
Take a step back, check yourself, make sure you don't fuck it up, and then you do it again
Take a moment to re-evaluate your situation and make sure you make the right choices
Now I'm underwater so deep that I'm blind feeling around in hopes
The situation is so overwhelming that you're blindly searching for a solution
That I'd find, inspiration
You're hoping to find inspiration or a way out of your predicament
Or something that would touch me
You're hoping to find something meaningful that will make a difference
Grounded so deep my feet can't even move me.
You feel stuck and unable to move in any direction
Time runnin' in the rat race all day
You feel like you're wasting your time in a never-ending cycle of work
I'm thinking whose life is it anyway
You're questioning the purpose of your life and your actions
Feelin' worthless can't find the surface
You're feeling hopeless and unable to find a way out of your predicament
Swimmin' in my mind just to find the purpose
You're mentally searching for the purpose of your existence or a goal to strive towards
And the tides all low and I'm all exposed
You're in a vulnerable position where you feel exposed
Eyes froze makes me wonder bout this path I chose
You're questioning the choices you've made in life
Nobody told you when to run, Bang Bang
You don't have anyone to guide you or tell you what to do
You missed the starting gun
You feel like you've missed opportunities in life
Everyday life's getting harder and you're living like a fish outta water
Everyday challenges are becoming more difficult and you feel like you don't belong
You can't breath or you, don't bother
You feel suffocated or apathetic towards your current situation
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JAMES KEVIN DOTSON, CHRIS DUCEY, JOHN CHARLES EDNEY, MATTHEW THOMAS MESCHERY, ED MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Moysifer
The messages behind the lyrics to this song are just amazing. For me this song is a mood lifter and reminds me that if i ever feel like im living like a fish out of water, i WILL be okay. Thanks OPM. Thanks uploader of this video.
minameise
Man what a blast from the past. I remember listening to this on the way to school.
specialedd64
This was the bomb back in the day...every bit as good now...still sounds fresh
RadioJ
such a tune why it's no where near as popular as heaven is a halfpipe is silly
Sick Nicks
this has bin my favorite song for 11 years
lost619
I think I first heard this on the ultimate skate cd lol fun times
BecciFlyingHigh
i love this song!!! =D
stephen rosamond
i love opm
Waqas Jhon
this song is bad ass
Spence
i remeber they made a lil animated clip of this song with an ugly ass fish, it was so fuckin funny but it got taken off for copyright claims :(