"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.“
Wiseman
Slightly Stoopid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who feel him a fool
For he be the wiseman
For the man
Who don't think he's a fool he
Control his destiny
But he's too cool for himself
For himself
All I need
Is something to keep me movin' on
In a world
Where violence reigns
And everybody seems so strange to me
Said the man
Who feel him a fool
For he be the wise man
For the man
Who don't feel him a fool he
Control his destiny
Yeah he's too cool for himself
For himself
For himself
Oh
This weapon of destruction
Swallows peoples suffering
And no confusion
You ain't winnin' if your losin'
We don't need
Said the man
Who feel him a fool he
For he be the wiseman
For the man
Who don't think he's a fool he
Control his destiny
But he's too cool for himself
For himself
For himself
Oh
The song "Wiseman" by Slightly Stoopid is a contemplative piece about the concept of wisdom and self-awareness. The lyrics are spoken from the perspective of a wise man who realizes that he may appear to be a fool to others. He recognizes the importance of self-awareness and the ability to control one's own destiny, but also acknowledges that sometimes being too caught up in one's own perceived coolness can be a hindrance. The line "this weapon of destruction swallows people's suffering, and no confusion, you ain't winning if you're losing" speaks to the idea that ignoring the pain and suffering of others ultimately leads to our own downfall.
The overall tone of the song is one of reflection and deeper thinking. The repetition of the line "For himself" throughout the song reinforces the idea of self-centeredness and the need to look beyond one's own ego. The world can be a violent and confusing place, but the man who embraces wisdom and self-awareness can control his own destiny and move forward in a more positive direction.
Line by Line Meaning
Said the man
"Listen to what I'm about to say..."
Who feel him a fool
"Anyone who sees himself as vulnerable, weak, or inferior..."
For he be the wiseman
"...can be the wisest, for acknowledging weakness is important in life."
For the man
"For anyone else, for those who don't feel vulnerable or weak..."
Who don't think he's a fool he
"...who don't believe they are vulnerable or weak, they..."
Control his destiny
"...can control their own lives, but..."
But he's too cool for himself
"...they need to be careful that their own pride and overconfidence..."
For himself
"...does not become their own prison. They must continue to evolve and stay humble."
All I need
"Personally, all I require to continue moving forward..."
Is something to keep me movin' on
"... is a form of inspiration to keep me going."
In a world
"With so many troubles around us, so much negativity and chaos, we need to..."
Where violence reigns
"...recognize that violence and discord have taken over."
And everybody seems so strange to me
"...and we can't always relate to the people around us."
This weapon of destruction
"The destructive force that we have created around us..."
Swallows peoples suffering
"...is consuming us and making us more miserable."
And no confusion
"We must recognize that there is no room for ambiguity or uncertainty anymore."
You ain't winnin' if your losin'
"We can't succeed or come out on top if we keep losing ourselves in negativity and internal conflicts."
We don't need
"So, in essence, we really don't need..."
Said the man
"... once again, this is what I'm trying to tell you."
Who feel him a fool he
"...anyone who acknowledges their own weakness or vulnerability."
For he be the wiseman
"...can actually be the wisest of all."
For the man
"...and for those who don't see themselves as vulnerable..."
Who don't think he's a fool he
"...the danger is that they may become overconfident and lose sight of their own weaknesses."
Control his destiny
"But they can still control their lives and chart their own course."
But he's too cool for himself
"So long as they remain humble and open to self-improvement."
For himself
"They must continue to work on themselves, for their own benefit as well as for others."
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Kyle Alexander McDonald, Miles Doughty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Johnny Ketz
"Wiseman"
Said the man
Who feel him a fool
For he be the wiseman
For the man
Who don't think he's a fool he
Control his destiny
But he's too cool for himself
For himself
For himself
All i need
Is something to keep me movin' on
In a world
Where violence reigns
And everybody seems so strange to me
Said the man
Who feel him a fool
For he be the wise man
For the man
Who dont feel him a fool he
Control his destiny
Yeah he's too cool for himself
For himself
For himself
Ohhhh ohhh ohhhh oh
This weapon of destruction
Swallows peoples suffering
And no confusion
You aint winnin' if your losin'
We don't need
Said the man
Who feel him a fool he
For he be the wiseman
For the man
Who don't think he's a fool he
Control his destiny
But he's too cool for himself
For himself
For himself
Oh
JP505
Listening to Slightly Stoopid has changed my life I listen to them almost everyday on the way to work it makes me feel great.
Tyler Bain
This song reminds that its ok to feel anyway any givin day cause youll always be able to concore an push foward through thick an thin
Letteraxx Wonder Emporium
Big facts
LA
This is honestly the only song I’ve heard from them & it’s saved an listened to every time I get down which is fairly common being stuck in this wheelchair after learning how to walk again three times an everything else life throws at us so THANKGOD for great music can u recommend any of their songs that’ll hit home like this one does ? THANKS
Taxman
The ill will u did not smoke back then but now (2 years ago) you did,
Morgan Peavler
Ran across these guys recently and happened to listen to this song. I'm an environmental science major and finals week was fucking hell, but this put an instant smile on my face and put me in good spirits.
gofastgokart99
i must say, these guys make u feel good no matter sober or high
Anthony
This song really helped me during the lowest point in my life. Alone with nothing. I still get chills listening to this.
Ray Drecker
this song is so true: the man who feels he's a fool, he is the wise man -- he keeps his eyes and ears open. the man who tries to force his destiny loses touch with who he is.
John James
What I got from this is that a man who might think he's a fool is wiser than one who doesn't. Because the man knows he lacks the answers to life's great mysteries, he knows he can't control his own destiny & doesn't pretend like he can, that in itself is knowledge and wisdom, whether he knows it or not. And the man who thinks he controls his own destiny doesn't practice any humility in his life and only relies on himself from having a big ego & being too cool for himself, that man is the real fool. A real wiseman also knows that for the universe to give back to him he has to have a positive energy to give to others. One who focuses on the negativity of his life will just waste that energy and his life because nothing will be given to him in return.