"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.“
Top of the World
Slightly Stoopid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's no more knockin’, or kickin'’ down my door
Ain't no need for changin’, or rearranging
This life we have endured
All these foolish ways, with these hopeless strays
Keep you comin’ back for more
By the time you hear it, it's over, it's over
Wasn't me who wasn't hard to find
Six strings on my back always lookin'’ for the next track
Thinking bout the old hood always up to no good
When you gonna realize,
That we livin' like we hypnotized
By the time that you hear when the music's over
Times runnin' out can't you see it's for ya
When you're down and out
Nobody opens their mouth
No-one ever come around your way
When you're on top of the world
Every man and every girl
Wanna come and get some shit for free
When you're sittin' on the corner
No one ever gonna pay you any mind that day
You’re just sittin'’ outside gettin'’ colder
It was not long ago when you wasn't that old now look at you are old and gray
Like a piece of your mind that was stolen in time never listen what nobody say
The reason everyday is not a holiday
Is ‘'cause the government they steal your pay
Was a dream, but it's already over
Won't someone get us out of here
I'm alive but I can't feel
Can not tell what's reality
Can not tell what is and what isn't real
The lyrics of Slightly Stoopid's song "Top of the World" speaks about the value of life and the struggle of living in a world where people are so easily swayed by foolish ways. The first verse paints a picture of an individual who has been through a lot in life, but has come to accept their current situation. They have reached the top of their world and there is no need for change or rearranging. However, the world around them is so focused on the "foolish ways" and "hopeless strays" that they don't appreciate the life they have until it's over.
The second verse speaks about the power of music and how it influences people. The singer talks about constantly looking for the next track, reminiscing about old times and not realizing that they are living their life like they are hypnotized. The music is a metaphor for life and time is running out for them.
The third verse speaks to the unequal distribution of wealth and power in the world. When someone is down and out, no one opens their mouth to help, but when they are on top of the world, everyone wants to come and get some for free. The song speaks to the frustration of feeling trapped in a system that seems to have no regard for the individual.
Overall, "Top of the World" is a poignant reflection on the human condition and the struggle of living in a world that often feels out of control. It speaks to the power of music to soothe, inspire, and escape from the realities of life.
Line by Line Meaning
So when the music's stoppin',
As soon as the music stops
There's no more knockin', or kickin' down my door
No more disturbances now that the music has stopped
Ain't no need for changin', or rearranging
No need to make any modifications to the life we have been living
This life we have endured
The life we have led so far
All these foolish ways, with these hopeless strays
All the useless habits and the purposeless people we cling to
Keep you comin' back for more
Make you want to repeat the same mistake again and again
By the time you hear it, it's over, it's over
It's too late to realize that it's ended
I really must have lost my mind
I have surely gone crazy
Wasn't me who wasn't hard to find
It wasn't difficult to locate me
Six strings on my back always lookin' for the next track
Always ready for the next opportunity
Thinking bout the old hood always up to no good
Reflecting on the old days, always involving in trouble
When you gonna realize
When will you grasp the truth
That we livin' like we hypnotized
We are living like we are under a spell
By the time that you hear when the music's over
When the music has ended, and you hear the sound, it's already too late
Times runnin' out can't you see it's for ya
Time is swiftly moving on and leaving you behind
When you're down and out
When you are destitute
Nobody opens their mouth
No one speaks up to help you
No-one ever come around your way
No one ever comes to your aid
When you're on top of the world
When you are successful and famous
Every man and every girl
Everyone, irrespective of gender
Wanna come and get some shit for free
Everyone wants to exploit you and get everything for free
When you're sittin' on the corner
When you are sitting idly in a street corner
No one ever gonna pay you any mind that day
No one will care or pay attention to you
You're just sittin' outside gettin' colder
You are just sitting there and getting cold
It was not long ago when you wasn't that old
It wasn't a long time ago when you were still young
Now look at you are old and gray
Now you are old and have grey hair
Like a piece of your mind that was stolen in time
As if someone has robbed a portion of your brain
Never listen what nobody say
Never paid attention to what anyone has advised
The reason everyday is not a holiday
The explanation for why every day is not pleasant
'Cause the government they steal your pay
Because the government takes away a portion of your hard-earned money
Was a dream, but it's already over
It used to be a fantasy, but it has already ended
Won't someone get us out of here
Can't someone help us escape this place
I'm alive but I can't feel
I am physically alive, but I am emotionally numb
Can not tell what's reality
I cannot differentiate what's real
Can not tell what is and what isn't real
I cannot distinguish between reality and illusion
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE BASSETT, MAUREEN MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Macy Nelson
on 2 AM
Is this song about the 27 club?