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.
Lionheart
PUP Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where have you gone?
All that you said
But you always lied
Oh Lionheart
Oh lion blood
Flow through my veins
If I promise to do the same
Oh Lionheart
Oh Lionheart
Good luck
And good times
Let's get fucked
Let's get high
Good luck
But don't smile
Cause I know
You got a Lionheart
Oh Lionheart
Oh Lionheart
The lyrics of PUP's "Lionheart" showcase the singer's frustration and disappointment towards someone who had promised to be strong and dependable, but ultimately failed to live up to their words. The repeated use of the phrase "Lionheart" hints at the person's initial brave facade, but as the lyrics progress, it becomes apparent that it was all a charade. The singer questions the person's whereabouts and acknowledges their tendency to lie, which highlights the disillusionment and hurt that they feel. However, despite everything, the singer acknowledges that the person has a certain strength within them, as demonstrated by the metaphorical use of "lion blood" flowing through their veins. The singer also professes their willingness to try and be better, if only the person had made an effort to do the same.
Overall, "Lionheart" is a poignant depiction of the disappointment and frustration that comes with broken promises and unfulfilled potential. The use of the metaphorical "Lionheart" is particularly powerful, as it both symbolizes the person's initial strength and bravery, as well as their eventual downfall.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Lionheart
Addressing the person referred to as Lionheart
Where have you gone?
Questioning the whereabouts of Lionheart
All that you said
Referring to Lionheart's words and promises
But you always lied
Pointing out that Lionheart was not truthful
Oh Lionheart
Addressing the person referred to as Lionheart
Oh lion blood
Referring to the qualities of courage and strength like a lion
Flow through my veins
Asking for these qualities to be passed on
You said you'd try
Recalling Lionheart's promise to attempt something
If I promise to do the same
Implying a condition for keeping that promise and trying
Oh Lionheart
Addressing the person referred to as Lionheart
Oh Lionheart
Addressing the person referred to as Lionheart
Good luck
Wishing luck to someone
And good times
Wishing pleasant experiences to someone
Let's get fucked
Suggesting getting drunk and wild
Let's get high
Suggesting getting high on drugs
Good luck
Wishing luck to someone
But don't smile
Cautioning against being overconfident
Cause I know
Expressing a personal knowledge
You got a Lionheart
Acknowledging the persistent qualities of courage and strength in Lionheart
Contributed by Taylor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@creativerice3326
Oh, Lionheart
Where have you gone?
Oh-oh Oh-oh
Oh-oh Oh-oh
All that you said
But you always lie
Aye-aye Aye-aye
Oh-oh Oh-oh
Oh, Lionheart...
Oh, Lionblood
Flowin' through my veins
Ay-ay Ay-ay
Oh-oh Oh-oh
You said you'd try
If I promised to do the same
Ay-ay Ay-ay
Oh-oh Oh-oh
Oh, Lionheart...
Oh, Lionheart...
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah)
Good luck
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah bah)
And good times
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah)
Let's get fucked
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah bah)
Let's get high
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah)
Good luck
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah)
But don't smile
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah)
Cuz I know
(Ba bah bah)
You got a Lion...
@presentlyjames9951
I must be slacking hardcore because I somehow just discovered these guys. It only took two vids and I went straight to buy both LPs. This is the most amazing stuff I have heard in a while.
@fettyspice2028
Such a great music video makes me wanna actually have friends
@nathanaelbundy6864
LMAO same
@harrisonkelly857
These guys shoud be headlining warped tour that entire lineup was awful but i still went to see these guys kill it
@creativerice3326
Oh, Lionheart
Where have you gone?
Oh-oh Oh-oh
Oh-oh Oh-oh
All that you said
But you always lie
Aye-aye Aye-aye
Oh-oh Oh-oh
Oh, Lionheart...
Oh, Lionblood
Flowin' through my veins
Ay-ay Ay-ay
Oh-oh Oh-oh
You said you'd try
If I promised to do the same
Ay-ay Ay-ay
Oh-oh Oh-oh
Oh, Lionheart...
Oh, Lionheart...
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah)
Good luck
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah bah)
And good times
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah)
Let's get fucked
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah bah)
Let's get high
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah)
Good luck
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah)
But don't smile
(Ba bah ba-da-ba-dap bah)
Cuz I know
(Ba bah bah)
You got a Lion...
@essandless1969
all night get hard
@matthewheckman4522
These guys know how to live. What am I doing with my life?
@loganplourde886
Matthew Heckman wanna be in a band with me?
@Nekorz
@Logan Plourde wanna be in a band with eachother?
@rashnu7627
@S Felix Andrusyszyn bit late but can i join?