When the animated band Prozzäk arrived on the scene in 1998, a Canadian musical phenomenon was born. Comprised of the cartoon duo Simon and Milo, their debut album Hotshow, full of infectious dance/pop tunes, followed Simon’s constant and largely unsuccessful search for love. It was a commercial and critical blockbuster going four times platinum, producing five chart-topping videos (including two number ones for “Sucks To Be You” and “Strange Disease”), three top twenty radio hits and five Juno award nominations.
Prozzäk was created by Jay Levine and James Bryan McCollum, two members of the critically acclaimed multi-platinum act The Philosopher Kings. Since then the pair have gone on to become successful musician/songwriter/producers working with Nelly Furtado, Jacksoul and Divine Brown, amongst others. Through their production company, Left Hook Entertainment, Jay and James helped launch the career of pop/rock diva Fefe Dobson by co-writing and producing her platinum debut album.
Jay and James’s use of the Internet was at the time a first in building a strong community of loyal fans and giving the band an arena in which to play with their alter egos. In 2000, Prozzäk released their second album Saturday People that went platinum, producing two more hits, "www.nevergetoveryou" and “Be As.” It would garner them a further Juno nod for best pop album. To celebrate - and having already done a virtual tour for Hotshow - Jay and James went on a full scale sold-out arena tour performing on seven foot heads of Simon and Milo accompanied with additional lasers, pyrotechnics and video projections to create the feeling of being in an animated world.
Here we are in 2005 with Prozzäk’s Cruel, Cruel World close at hand. The reunion of the pair began back in 2004 when Jay and James met to collaborate on a project. Once again the creative sparks flew and the shape of the third record began to materialize. While the sound is updated, weaving the worlds of alternative rock and dance, the songs still have those catchy addictive hooks that we remember - and yes, Simon is still searching for love.
In 2017 they have released a new album, "Forever 99".
Be As
Prozzäk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Simon) - I know, I know
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
(Simon) - I know it's true
I'm a bastard if it's true
If the thing she did to me
Is what I did to you
I'm a bastard if it's true
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
(Simon) - I know, I know
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
(Simon) - I know it's true
You need to know I finally understand
And I gotta get in touch with you now
But I can't
I just want to tell you I'm sorry
I'm a bastard if it's true
If the thing she did to me
Was what I did to you
I'm a bastard if it's true
And I guess it's true
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
(Simon) - I know, I know
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
(Simon) - I know it's true
You need to know I finally understand
And I gotta get in touch with you now
But I can't
I wish I could have made you happy
But I'm a bastard
I'm not saying that I wanted you to stay
But tonight I feel like driving my car to LA
Just so you can see me crying
Cause I'm a bastard if it's true
Yeah and I guess it's true
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
(Simon) - I know it's true
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
(Simon) - I know, I know
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
(Simon) - I know it's true
The song "Be" by Prozzak is about regret and understanding the pain caused to someone else. The lyrics are a conversation between two people, Tamara and Simon, with Tamara repeating the phrase "Sucks To Be You" to Simon who acknowledges that it's true. Simon admits to being a "bastard" if the thing that happened between him and Tamara happened to him. He wants to apologize and find a way to make things right but can't seem to reach her. Simon wishes he could have made her happy but he knows deep down that he is at fault.
The song's message is relatable to anyone who has experienced a failed relationship and the hurt and guilt that can follow. Simon's character is introspective, acknowledging his failures and trying to make amends. The repetition of "Sucks To Be You" adds to the sad and regretful tone of the song. The line "I'm not saying that I wanted you to stay, but tonight I feel like driving my car to LA just so you can see me crying" showcases the vulnerability and pain Simon feels after the breakup.
Overall, the song "Be" is about recognizing past mistakes and wishing for a chance to make things right, even though it may not be possible. It speaks to the universal theme of human fallibility and the complexity of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
Tamara is conveying a sense of pity towards Simon's current situation.
(Simon) - I know, I know
Simon acknowledges Tamara's sympathy towards him.
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
Tamara reiterates her feeling of pity towards Simon.
(Simon) - I know it's true
Simon agrees that his situation is not ideal.
I'm a bastard if it's true
Simon is acknowledging that he did something wrong, and that it makes him a bad person.
If the thing she did to me
Simon is drawing a comparison to a similar situation that happened to him in the past.
Is what I did to you
Simon is admitting that he did something to hurt Tamara in the same way he was hurt.
And I guess it's true
Simon is accepting that his actions made him a bad person.
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
Tamara repeats her sympathy towards Simon's situation.
(Simon) - I know, I know
Simon acknowledges Tamara's sympathy again.
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
Tamara repeats her sympathy once more.
(Simon) - I know it's true
Simon agrees with Tamara's statement again.
You need to know I finally understand
Simon is expressing that he has come to an understanding of what he did wrong.
And I gotta get in touch with you now
Simon is expressing a desire to communicate with Tamara and make amends.
But I can't
Simon is unable to communicate with Tamara for some reason.
I just want to tell you I'm sorry
Simon is expressing regret for his past actions and wants to apologize to Tamara.
I'm not saying that I wanted you to stay
Simon is clarifying that he is not asking Tamara to come back to him.
But tonight I feel like driving my car to LA
Simon is expressing a desire to do something impulsive and drive to Los Angeles to possibly see Tamara.
Just so you can see me crying
Simon is being self-deprecating, suggesting that he wants Tamara to see him at his worst.
Yeah and I guess it's true
Simon once again accepts that he is a bad person for hurting Tamara.
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
Tamara repeats her sympathy towards Simon's situation for the final time.
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
Tamara repeats her sympathy towards Simon's situation one last time.
(Simon) - I know it's true
Simon acknowledges that his situation is unfortunate and agrees with Tamara's sympathy one last time.
(Tamara) - Sucks To Be You
Tamara repeats her empathy one final time.
(Simon) - I know it's true
Simon accepts that his situation is not ideal for the final time.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shadowcatX2000
While a lot of people were singing about getting laid or doing drugs, Prozzak was out standing up to racism and homophobia and speaking for hope and equality. A timeless message if ever there was one.
@jaketucker2559
That is when Simon wasn’t dumped by a girl he loved
@zombi_gutz
@Jake Tucker real
@max_not.foundd
And this is why I love this song!
@timmage
Couldn't dare admit loving this song as a preteen. 22 years later I just finished nailing these guitar chords. Speaking as a married hetero millennial.
@Shane-gc2eg
and look where were now all we talk about while the world burns
@TheADzioba
When this song came out in 2000, everyone at my school was making fun of it, because it contained a taboo word: "gay." It was taboo to even publicly state that you liked the song because that somehow automatically made you gay. We all had to enjoy it in private, or face ostracism.
-
This song was ahead of its time. It's message is still relevant today.
@tobiasfrost86
Why don't I remember it in 2000. I remember their other hits back them
@oblongfan1
Kinda true. I would always sing it in my head. But I had a feeling a lot of others in my high school knew the song too. The band was very obscure for its time. But their songs are prob more relevant than ever
@B1u35ky
I dont agree i liked this song with no reason to hide it. It depends where you lived