Wes Scantlin was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. Raised in Kansas City, he attended Park Hill High School. After high school, he started the creation of Puddle of Mudd, now now famous for songs such as "Control", "She Hates Me", and "Blurry". Scantlin got his start in the music business after a copy of his demo was given to a friend producer by the name of Fred Durst. Durst enjoyed the demo, but Wes neglected to take any major steps forward with the band. Later, upon hearing that Scantlin's first attempt at a band had failed, Durst decided to bring Scatlin to California in an attempt to put a new band together.
In California Scantlin met Doug Ardito, an intern at Interscope Records. When Scantlin found out about Ardito's bass playing, they decided to work together. Still in pursuit of a guitarist, Fred Durst contacted a guitarist from his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, Paul Phillips. Phillips auditioned for the spot in Puddle of Mudd, and upon acceptance, left college to join the band full time. A drummer was also recruited from Jacksonville, however, via creative differences, left the band before it achieved any mainstream media attention.
The name of the band was inspired by the Missouri River flood, where the band in its early days performed and practiced. The large amount of pressure from the equipment left the floor a big "puddle of mud."
Puddle of Mudd is signed to Fred Durst's record label, Flawless Records.
In 2005 two members, Paul Phillips and Greg Upchurch, left the band. Greg currently drums for 3 Doors Down while Paul, now playing in Society Red, left citing creative and personal differences.
Their song "Control" was the official theme song of WWE's Survivor Series pay-per-view event in November 2001, and their song "Nothing Left to Lose" was the official theme song of WWE's Royal Rumble pay-per-view event in January 2004.
Their second album, "Come Clean" spawned 4 hits in 2003 and has sold 5 million albums to date. Their follow up, "Life on Display" spawned 1 hit single and sold 600,000 albums. In 2007, the band released "Famous", which takes a general rock as well as "nu-grunge" approach.
The band is currently working on a live album that is slated for release in 2008.
They have released their fourth album "Songs in the Key of Love and Hate"
Current members of the band include :
Wes Scantlin : Vocal, Rythmn.
Doug Ardito : Backing Vocals, Bass.
Paul Phillips: Lead Guitar
Ryan Yerdon: Drums
Basement
Puddle of Mudd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm all encased in and I can't escape
And when I look up Mother's looking down
And when I wake up Mother's not around
'Cause if you want you can have everything that I've got
If you want you can take it all away from me
Away from me Away from me Away from me
Nobody's perfect but you just can't see
My life's a circus that you don't believe
You're saying something but not coming clean
And when I look up Mother's living
She's living in a dream
'Cause if you want you can have everything that I've got
If you want you can take it all away from me
And if you're unsatisfied well I'll watch you wave goodbye
If you want you can take it all away from me
Please don't come down and see me this way
Please don't come down I'm too afraid
Please don't come down and see me this way
Please don't come down I'm too afraid
I'm too afraid I'm too afraid
Please don't come down I'm too afraid
Please don't come down I'm too afraid
Please don't come down I'm too afraid
I'm too afraid I'm too afraid
I'm too afraid I'm too afraid
'Cause if you want you can have everything that I've got
If you want you can take it all away from me
'Cause if you want you can have everything that I've got
If you want you can take it all away from me
And if you're unsatisfied well I'll watch you wave goodbye
If you want you can take it all away from me
Away from me Away from me Away from me
The lyrics to Puddle of Mudd's song Basement speak about a person who feels trapped and paranoid. The music video for the song depicts a man locked up in a basement, which further emphasizes the feeling of being trapped. The lyrics suggest that the singer is trapped in a situation that he cannot escape from. He is surrounded by walls that encase him and prevent him from leaving. The mention of Mother suggests a controlling figure who has a significant impact on his life.
The chorus of the song speaks about the singer's willingness to give up everything he has to anyone who wants it. This could suggest that he feels as though he has nothing left to lose, or perhaps he is seeking relief from the situation he is in. The repeated chorus, "If you want you can take it all away from me," conveys a feeling of desperation and hopelessness.
The second verse suggests that the singer feels misunderstood. He describes his life as a circus, but no one believes him. The line, "You're saying something but not coming clean," suggests that someone is lying or not being truthful with him. The mention of Mother living in a dream conveys a sense of detachment from reality.
Overall, Puddle of Mudd's song Basement speaks about feeling trapped, paranoid, and having little to no control over one's life. The repeated chorus suggests a longing for relief or escape from the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Locked in the basement I'm so paranoid
Feeling trapped and anxious, unable to escape a difficult situation
I'm all encased in and I can't escape
Feeling trapped, physically and mentally, without a way out
And when I look up Mother's looking down
Feeling like there's a higher power or authority figure watching and judging
And when I wake up Mother's not around
Feeling abandoned or alone, without anyone for support or guidance
'Cause if you want you can have everything that I've got
Feeling like everything is up for grabs, and anyone can take what they want
If you want you can take it all away from me
Feeling powerless, as if everything they have can be taken away by someone else
Nobody's perfect but you just can't see
Feeling misunderstood and judged for imperfections that others may not see
My life's a circus that you don't believe
Feeling like their life is chaotic and unbelievable to others
You're saying something but not coming clean
Feeling like someone is hiding something or not being honest
And when I look up Mother's living
Feeling like the authority figure is living a perfect life while they suffer
She's living in a dream
Feeling like the authority figure is oblivious to reality and living in a perfect world
Please don't come down and see me this way
Feeling ashamed and not wanting to be seen in a vulnerable state
Please don't come down I'm too afraid
Feeling scared and vulnerable, not wanting anyone to witness their weakness
And if you're unsatisfied well I'll watch you wave goodbye
Feeling like others will leave them if they're not satisfied or meet their expectations
Away from me
Feeling like everything is up for grabs and can be taken away at any moment
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WESLEY SCANTLIN, WESLEY REID SCANTLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind