The band was unique in that all of the members had sung lead vocals on at least one recording and the songwriting responsibilities were distributed throughout, though Mike Park was generally regarded as the front man.
Skankin' Pickle's lyrics range from silly, in songs such as "Fakin' Jamaican" and "Asian Man", to sociopolitical, in songs like "Racist World" and "Ice Cube, Korea Wants a Word With You". As a band, Skankin' Pickle promoted racial equality in the tradition of two-tone ska bands, such as The Specials, in late 1970s England.
Following their breakup in 1996, Knackstedt and Nylander started another skacore band called 78 RPMs. Mike Park released an album and toured with The Bruce Lee Band, a side project consisting of Park and members of Less Than Jake. Later, Park started a short-lived, all-Asian ska band called The Chinkees. Lundquist went on to play trombone for Mu330.
Start Today
Skankin' Pickle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess it's not as precious as it seems.
Because I found the time for hangin' out and talking on the phone.
What should I expect, now that my time is free and you're nowhere to be found?
Next time I'll try
For the first time in my life.
I won't pass it by.
Let's start today.
Let's start today.
My room's a mess and I can't get dressed, I gotta be out by eight o'clock,
Deep inside I know the answer.
Well there's no time like the present and I'd like to hang out but who doesn't?
I've made enough mistakes for this lifetime, now I'm here to make amends.
Next time I'll try
For the first time in my life.
It won't pass me by.
Procrastinate, it can wait, I put it off.
Start!
Next time I'll try
For the first time in my life.
It won't pass me by.
Procrastinate, it can wait, I put it off.
Stop!
The song "Start Today" by Skankin' Pickle is about the idea of not taking time for granted and making the most of the present moment. The lyrics suggest that the singer's time was previously occupied by someone who didn't appreciate it, but now that they are free of that burden, they realize the importance of valuing their time. The chorus of the song, "Let's start today," is a call to action to seize the day and make the most of it.
The song also speaks to the idea of procrastination and how it can hold us back from achieving our goals. The line "Procrastinate, it can wait, I put it off" suggests that the singer has been guilty of putting things off in the past, but now realizes that there is no time like the present to get things done.
Overall, "Start Today" is a song that encourages listeners to live in the moment, value their time, and take action towards their goals. It's a message that still resonates with people today, especially in a fast-paced world where time seems to slip away too easily.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday you were on my back just to get my time,
You used to frequently request my time and attention, as though it was very important.
I guess it's not as precious as it seems.
Now that I have more free time, your requests seem less valuable and necessary.
Because I found the time for hangin' out and talking on the phone.
Despite your high demand on my time, I was still able to socialize with others and communicate via phone.
What should I expect, now that my time is free and you're nowhere to be found?
Since you are suddenly not requesting my time, I am unsure what to expect from you now.
Next time I'll try
In the future, I will make an effort.
For the first time in my life.
I have not previously made such an effort before.
I won't pass it by.
I will not miss out on the opportunity.
Procrastinate, it can wait, I put it off.
I have often delayed important tasks, but now I realize they cannot wait any longer.
Let's start today.
We should begin making changes right now.
My room's a mess and I can't get dressed, I gotta be out by eight o'clock,
I have a limited amount of time to get ready, but my room is in disarray and preventing me from being on schedule.
Deep inside I know the answer.
I have knowledge and understanding of what I must do, though I may be hesitant to act on it.
Well there's no time like the present and I'd like to hang out but who doesn't?
I should take action now, because the present moment is the best opportunity. Though I would prefer to socialize instead.
I've made enough mistakes for this lifetime, now I'm here to make amends.
I have made many errors in the past, but I am now ready to make things right and fix my wrongdoing.
Start!
We must begin taking action immediately.
Stop!
We need to cease procrastinating and hindering progress.
Contributed by Peyton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.