Sponge grew out of a Detroit-based hard rock act called Loudhouse, which released an album on the Virgin label in 1988 before losing its record contract and disbanding shortly thereafter. Drummer-turned-vocalist Vinnie Dombrowski (born Mark Dombrowski) and guitarists Mike Cross and Joey Mazzola regrouped as Sponge in 1992, adding Mike's brother Tim Cross on bass and Jimmy Paluzzi on drums. Adapting their '70s hard rock influences to fit the grunge zeitgeist, the bandmates earned a major-label deal with Columbia and released their debut album, Rotting Pinata, in late 1994.
Initially, critics compared Sponge to Stone Temple Pilots, but alternative radio embraced the band's first two singles: the driving rocker "Plowed" and the jangly, introspective "Molly (Sixteen Candles)." A third single, "Rainin'," also earned airplay, and Rotting Pinata went gold; meanwhile, Sponge went on tour as Live's opening act. With new drummer Charlie Grover in tow, their 1996 follow-up album, Wax Ecstatic, was a more diverse affair, rediscovering some of the band's roots in arena rock, British glam, and jangle pop. Even though singles like "Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina)," "I Am Anastasia," and "Have You Seen Mary" enjoyed radio airplay, Columbia was dissatisfied with the sales figures and dropped Sponge once the album left the charts.
Undaunted, Sponge signed a new deal with the Beyond label, which released the more classicist New Pop Sunday in 1999. It attracted little commercial attention, and more personnel shifts ensued. Tired of touring, the Cross brothers both left and were replaced by guitarist Kurt Marschke and bassist Tim Krukowski; Billy Adams also came on board as the new drummer. After several years of recharging -- during which time Dombrowski played in several Detroit-area side projects -- Sponge returned with For All the Drugs in the World in 2003 and The Man in 2005. Dombrowski reworked the lineup once again, this time adding guitarists Kyle Neely and Andy Patalan, before returning again to the studio in 2007 to record Galore Galore for Bellum Records.
Two years later, there was another lineup shift -- Tim Patalan became the group's bassist -- and they released an EP called Destroy the Boy. A full-length called Stop the Bleeding arrived four years later on Three One Three Records; the LP contained all of the 2009 EP plus new songs, including a twisted cover of Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle." In 2017, the band partnered with Michigan Brewers and PledgeMusic for their eighth full-length outing, The Beer Sessions, which Dombrowski called "a celebration of independent music and incredible Michigan beer." In 2021 the band issued their ninth full-length effort, Lavatorium, which included the fiery single "Stitch," the well-timed ballad "Socially Distant," and an all-new recording of their signature hit "Plowed." Original guitarist Mike Cross died on March 6, 2022 at the age of 57.
Biography by Steve Huey
There are other artists with the same name:
ii) Sponge is also a 90's Japanese noise supergroup. Though the members are credited anonymously, the group reportedly includes:
Jojo Hiroshige (of Hijokaidan)
Junko Hiroshige (also of Hijokaidan)
Masami Akita (better known as Merzbow)
Yamazaki Takushi (better known as Masonna)
The Japanese Sponge have released at least two official albums, a 7" and a CD on T.E.C. Tones.
iii) Alias for James Hoyte, owner of the drum n bass label IQ Records. He has released one 12" record, The Crash, on Suburban Base Records in 1994.
My Baby Said
Sponge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She had been a dead movie star
Reincarnated to live the live of a queen
But the real scars she was nursing
Were not from her man but from
Her beast of burden because in real life
She could not live her dreams
For 30 years he was the man
Take you anywhere that you pleased
And for 30 years he was amazed
He took care of his wife and her bad legs,
He thought he lived a life like a machine
And he hoped he could have been the
Drummer man in some great big band
That would drive the world wild with his beat
(And oh yeah)
Baby said that
She always been a dreamer
She ain't scared with her hands up in the air
She shows the world she's a super star
Can't you see
Are stars made or are they born
She's glamorous but so unknown
And she's always so well received
And easy to love and easy to please
Baby said that
She always been a dreamer.
The lyrics of "My Baby Said" by Sponge explore the theme of unfulfilled dreams and the pain that comes with it. The first verse introduces a character, a waitress who believes that in a past life she was a famous movie star. However, in reality, she feels trapped by her circumstances and unable to live the life she wants. The lyrics suggest that she may have suffered abuse from someone, hinted at by the reference to the "beast of burden." Despite this, the character still dreams of being a queen, suggesting that the desire to transcend one's circumstances may be universal.
The second verse shifts to a male character, a cab driver who has spent thirty years of his life driving people around the city. He too has unfulfilled dreams, imagining himself as a drummer in a famous band. He feels trapped in his routine, thinking of himself as a machine. However, his devotion to his wife and her health issues suggests he has found meaning and purpose in his life, despite not achieving his dreams.
The chorus, sung by "Baby," suggests that the characters are "dreamers" who refuse to give up hope. She imagines herself as a superstar, despite her lack of fame. The lyrics suggest that this refusal to give up on one's dreams is what distinguishes real stars from those who are simply born into fame.
Line by Line Meaning
She was a waitress but convinced
Despite working as a waitress, she believed she was someone more important.
She had been a dead movie star
She thought she was the reincarnation of a deceased movie star.
Reincarnated to live the life of a queen
She felt like royalty thanks to her belief in reincarnation.
But the real scars she was nursing
She was emotionally wounded due to unfulfilled dreams and desires.
Were not from her man but from
Her emotional pain didn't come from her significant other but rather from herself.
Her beast of burden because in real life
Her emotional baggage weighed her down in reality.
She could not live her dreams
Due to her current circumstances, she was unable to realize her aspirations.
All day long he drove a cab
He spent his days working as a taxi driver.
For 30 years he was the man
He committed three decades to his job.
Take you anywhere that you pleased
He would drive his passengers anywhere they wanted to go.
And for 30 years he was amazed
Despite his lengthy career, he remained in awe of his work and its impact.
He took care of his wife and her bad legs,
In addition to his job, he also cared for his wife who had issues with her legs.
He thought he lived a life like a machine
He felt like he lived a robotic, monotonous life.
And he hoped he could have been the
He aspired to become the one thing he truly loved - a drummer in a band.
Drummer man in some great big band
He desired to be a famous percussionist in a well-known musical group.
That would drive the world wild with his beat
He longed to create music that would captivate the hearts and souls of people all over the world.
(And oh yeah)
An interjection that has no significant meaning.
Baby said that
The woman referred to in the previous lyrics stated that
She always been a dreamer
She's always had high hopes and aspirations.
She ain't scared with her hands up in the air
She faces the world with confidence, even with her hands up in a gesture that usually indicates surrender or fear.
She shows the world she's a super star
She acts like a superstar in front of everyone despite her real-life situation.
Can't you see
A rhetorical question used to emphasize the previous statement.
Are stars made or are they born
Are successful people created through hard work and dedication or are they naturally gifted?
She's glamorous but so unknown
She exudes elegance, but in reality, she's not well-known or celebrated.
And she's always so well received
Despite being unknown, people generally like her and find her charming.
And easy to love and easy to please
People find it effortless to love and satisfy her.
Baby said that
The woman referred to earlier said that
She always been a dreamer.
She's always dreamed of achieving great things in life.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOE MAZZOLA, MARK P DOMBROSKI, TIMOTHY RYGIEL, MICHAEL JOHN RYGIEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind