Featuring Stefan Babcock on vocals and guitar, Steve Sladkowski on guitar and vocals, Nestor Chumak on bass and vocals, and Zack Mykula on drums and vocals, all longtime friends who met in elementary school, PUP formed in 2010 under the name Topanga. The original name was a reference to Topanga Lawrence, a character played by Danielle Fishel on the '90s sitcom Boy Meets World, but when the members learned Fishel would be reviving the character in 2014 in a spin-off titled Girl Meets World, they chose to change the name to PUP, standing for "Pathetic Use of Potential." Topanga released a digital EP titled Oceans, and positive press and attention from other bands helped create a buzz about the group. In 2013, they became PUP, releasing their self-titled debut album through the Royal Mountain label. The album was a hit with both critics and fans, with the group being named Best Live Show and Best New Artist by CBC Radio 3. The band toured extensively, playing throughout Canada and making their way to England and the United States. By the end of 2013, PUP had signed a record deal with the well-established punk label Side One Dummy, and spent much of 2014 and 2015 touring in support of Side One Dummy's reissue of their debut LP, launching their first headlining tours of the United States and Canada, as well as making their Australian debut.
In February 2016, PUP teased a new single called "DVP" in advance of their second full-length album, The Dream Is Over. Released in May of that year, the album's title is a reference to a prognosis Babcock received from his doctor: he'd severely damaged his vocal cords after enduring years of non-stop touring. In true punk fashion, PUP used the doctor's glib comment as the rallying cry for another set of hard-hitting, self-deprecating punk tunes. The band promoted the effort with an international tour over the next year before returning to the studio to write and record a follow-up. They spent most of 2018 working on the album, which saw release in April 2019. Titled Morbid Stuff, the record was produced with Dave Schiffman (the Mars Volta, Weezer) and lyrically focused on Babcock's struggles with depression. A year later, PUP offered up their commentary on the state of the world with This Place Sucks Ass, a six-song EP whose title referenced one of their long-standing touring inside jokes. With COVID-19 putting a halt to live performances, the group returned to the studio in 2021 to record their fourth album. Produced by Peter Katis (the National, Frightened Rabbit), 2022's wild The Unraveling of Puptheband saw the group augmenting their normally guitar-based sound with synthesizers, piano, and horns.
Biography by Mark Deming
There is another artist using the same name:
2) PUP is a Chinese-Korean rapper.
Can't Win
PUP Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There are some things that'll never change
I've been strung out and fed up with the strain
I get a little more nervous everyday
I just wanna be something
Never thought I'd be nothing at all
I'm growing up and I'm giving in
And it's starting to hurt
And it feels like I can't win
I couldn't wait to be alone again
And I'm getting worse
Say I never try, but you know I do
I couldn't live with my 9 to 5
And I'll regret what I did to you my whole life
No matter what I do
I can never get anything right
I just wanna be something
Never thought I'd be nothing at all
And it feels like I can't win
I'm growing up and I'm giving in
And it's starting to hurt
And it feels like I can't win
I couldn't wait to be alone again
And I'm getting worse
I might die of this boredom
If you don't kill me first
Chalk it up to apathy
I had every chance
I had every opportunity
That I could want
And I ruined them all
I had every chance
Never thought I'd be
Nothing at all
And it feels like I can't win
I'm growing up and I'm giving in
And it's starting to hurt
And it feels like I can't win
I couldn't wait to be alone again
And I'm getting worse
I might die of this boredom
If you don't kill me first
The song “Can’t Win” by Canadian punk rock band PUP explores the feelings of frustration and defeat that often come with growing up and feeling stuck in one’s circumstances. The artist laments their “shit luck” and how they feel like they “can never get anything right”. They express their desire to be something, to make something of themselves, but instead they feel like they’re “growing up and giving in” to the pressures of the world around them.
The lyrics talk about the pain of regret, the fear of stagnation, and the overwhelming boredom of everyday life. The artist sings about feeling trapped in a cycle of disappointment and failure, and how this leads them to feel like they’re losing control. They express their frustration at their own inability to change their situation, no matter how hard they try.
Ultimately, the song captures the essence of the struggle that many young people face as they try to make their way in the world. It’s a raw and honest reflection on the challenges that come with growing up, and the toll that these challenges can take on one’s mental health.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been blessed with shit luck
My life has been filled with misfortunes
There are some things that'll never change
Certain aspects of my life will always remain the same
I've been strung out and fed up with the strain
I am tired and frustrated by the difficulties I face
I get a little more nervous everyday
My anxiety grows with each passing day
I just wanna be something
I desire to achieve success and recognition
Never thought I'd be nothing at all
I never expected to amount to nothing
And it feels like I can't win
I feel like I cannot succeed no matter what I do
I'm growing up and I'm giving in
I am accepting my defeat and giving up
And it's starting to hurt
My emotional pain is becoming unbearable
I couldn't wait to be alone again
I prefer being alone than dealing with my problems
And I'm getting worse
My situation is deteriorating
Say I never try, but you know I do
People may accuse me of not trying, but I actually make an effort
I couldn't live with my 9 to 5
I am not content with a mundane, regular job
And I'll regret what I did to you my whole life
I feel guilty for hurting someone
No matter what I do
Regardless of my attempts
I can never get anything right
I am unable to succeed or do things correctly
I might die of this boredom
My life feels extremely dull and monotonous
If you don't kill me first
I feel like the boredom will be the death of me, unless something more drastic happens first
Chalk it up to apathy
I am indifferent and lack emotional investment
I had every chance
I was presented with numerous opportunities
I ruined them all
I failed to take advantage of all my opportunities
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stefan Patrick Babcock, Zachary Ivan Mykula, Nestor Volodymyr Chumack, Steve Ryan Sladkowski
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ives1643
Lyrics:
I've been blessed with shit luck
There are some things that'll never change
I get strung out and fed up with the strain
Get a little more nervous everyday
I just wanna be something
Never thought I'd be nothing at all
And it feels like I can't win
I'm growing up and I'm giving in
And it's starting to hurt
And it feels like I can't win
I couldn't wait to be alone again
And I'm getting worse
Say I never try, but you know I do
I couldn't live with my 9 to 5
And I regret what I did to you my whole life
No matter what I do
I can never get anything right
I just wanna be something
Never thought I'd be nothing at all
And it feels like I can't win
I'm growing up and I'm giving in
And it's starting to hurt
And it feels like I can't win
I couldn't wait to be alone again
And I'm getting worse
I might die of this boredom
If you don't kill me first
Chalk it up to apathy
I had every chance
I had every opportunity
That I could want
And I ruined them all
I had every chance
Never thought I'd be
Nothing at all
And it feels like I can't win
I'm growing up and I'm giving in
And it's starting to hurt
And it feels like I can't win
I couldn't wait to be alone again
And I'm getting worse
I might die of this boredom
If you don't kill me first
@fivetimesagain1340
one of the best live bands i have ever seen. do yourself a favor and SEE PUP live.
@Fletchayabetcha
I just did last summer, best experience I've had in long time
@mayanell7942
DUDE i want to so bad but idk if they tour in the UK :((((
@sapphiresdead2014
Saw them this year, they still rock :))
@trentmunsinger8038
If you discovered this band then you HAVE won.
@Aeshir2
shit dawg, we did it!!!!!
@trentmunsinger8038
aeshir we're going to Disneyland! lol
@kenkenifffromconnecticut3012
Fuck ya you have won
@eloise9673
saw them live and it was the best time of my life!!!!
@moka.-.1694
Trent Munsinger so fucking true