"We're a touring act, and we've been on the road pretty much non-stop over the last decade," explains Doughty, offering that the more recent creation of the band's own local recording studio and rehearsal clubhouse (within the warehouse district of Mission Valley just inland of Ocean Beach) certainly aided and influenced their last release Top of the World, and has inspired their latest sessions, which the band anticipates could stretch into a few different recording projects.
"Over the last 3 years we started our own studio and within the last 9 months, anticipating the window for new album sessions, the band has invested into innovations and equipment upgrades for the studio in a quest to capture and progress our signature sound forward. Having our own studio really enables us to make records at our own pace and to make the right records, hopefully (with a grin) at various stages of our career,” Doughty continues. “What's nice about having our own environment to record in and analyze the music is it really lets you keep an organic feel. For us, I feel like it's a step into the next level, as far as understanding the process of recording, understanding the process of songwriting. We took everything that we've learned over the years and really put it into this place and into our music.” The property also houses the creative loft space that has become the official offices of the band’s own label Stoopid Records, which issued the band’s second album in 1999 Acoustic Roots, and has continued to be their preferred method of distributing the band’s recorded material.
Another key ingredient to what makes Slightly Stoopid extraordinarily special is the inclusion of several musical guests, both live and in the studio. "It really keeps that 'family atmosphere' for us,” says Doughty. “I think it really shows in the music — we live for the spirit of collaboration and on Top of The World we had G. Love, Angelo Moore from Fishbone, Don Carlos, Barrington Levy, Ian Neville from Dumpstaphunk, Tory Ruffin from Morris Day and the Time and Fishbone, and singer/songwriter Angela Hunte. Angelo Moore to me is one of the greatest front-men to ever step foot on a stage. As a fan and out of respect, I try to do something with Angelo every time we have a record, really. If you listen to his lyrics, his vocal performance—I don't know who could keep up with Angelo on stage. Don Carlos from Black Uhuru is one of the legendary reggae singers of all time and we've had the pleasure of working with him the last few years. We've been friends with G. Love for over 15 years, and we've been able to work together quite a few different times in the studio. It seems like second nature. Whenever you're recording with G., it's almost like you're really just hanging out with your bro and you happen to hit record. We've done so many shows together and so many studio sessions, it becomes second nature.“
Questionable
Slightly Stoopid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And what you gonna do
When all those police men
Come chasin' after you
You better run away
Keep yourself from day
Hide out in the night
They leave you without any right
I don't know why they are coming to take you away
If you had reasoned
They'd call it treason
And blow your sorry ass away
You say where are we going
And what you gonna do
When all those police men
Come chasin' after you
You better run away
Get out while you still can
There's blood in your eyes
You're not a mortal man
The lyrics of Slightly Stoopid's "Questionable" is an insightful commentary on the fear that the actions of people may lead to consequences they cannot evade. The song's first few lines narrate an inquiry on what to do when the police come running after you. The song's message is potent as it touches on the fear people have of being caught for something they have done or being held responsible for an offense they have not committed. This apprehensive tone is emphasized by the use of words like "run away," "hide," and "leave you without any right."
The song implies the tendency of the government and law enforcement agents to carry out their operations without paying heed to the circumstances that led to the alleged offense. The lyrics explain that if those being charged had reasonable reasoning for their actions, they would still be considered criminals, and the consequences would be severe. This idea is represented in the line, "If you had reasoned, they'd call it treason, and blow your sorry ass away."
In conclusion, "Questionable" is an enthralling rendition that portrays the fear and anxiety of living in a world where people tend to be judged without recourse to the intent behind their actions. The song communicates anxiety, fear, and uncertainty while bringing to the fore some of the challenges confronting people who find themselves at odds with the law enforcement agencies.
Line by Line Meaning
You say where are we going
You express concern and curiosity regarding our destination.
And what you gonna do
You wonder about your course of action in a given situation.
When all those police men
If and when law enforcement shows up,
Come chasin' after you
they will be actively in pursuit targeting you specifically.
You better run away
Your best course of action would be to start moving in the opposite direction.
Keep yourself from day
Try to avoid being seen in daylight hours.
Hide out in the night
Escape detection by concealing yourself in the cover of darkness.
They leave you without any right
Law enforcement may violate your rights during an arrest or detention.
I don't know why they are coming to take you away
I am uncertain about the reason for their pursuit of you.
If you had reasoned
If you had expressed reasonable thought and judgment,
They'd call it treason
Law enforcement may perceive your reasoning as an act of betrayal or a crime.
And blow your sorry ass away
They would be fully justified in using lethal force against you.
Get out while you still can
Leave immediately in order to avoid getting caught or arrested.
There's blood in your eyes
You are consumed by a fierce desire for vengeance or retribution and are not thinking clearly.
You're not a mortal man
You are superhuman or supernatural, almost as if you are invincible.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: MILES DOUGHTY, KYLE ALEXANDER MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Macy Nelson
on 2 AM
Is this song about the 27 club?