Suburban Legends are an American third wave ska band[1] that formed in Hunt… Read Full Bio ↴Suburban Legends are an American third wave ska band[1] that formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1998 and later based themselves in Santa Ana, California. The band started out as a third wave ska band, but later moved to a pop and disco sound after a number of lineup changes in 2005. Since 2009 the band has returned to its ska roots, also incorporating Disney covers in their repertoire. Currently trombonist Brian Robertson is the only member that has been in the band since its inception. Vince Walker is also a founding member, but left the band in 2004, only to return in 2005, and guitarist Brian Klemm has been with the band since 1999.Current line up
Vincent Walker - Lead vocals, trumpet, guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboard (2005–present), trumpet, backing vocals (1998–2004)
Chris Lucca - trumpet (2013–present, 2009-2013 touring)
Brian "Robot" Robertson - trombone, backing vocals (1998–present)
Brian Klemm - lead guitar, vocals (1999–present)
Brad Polidori - bass, backing vocals (2010–present)
Edward Larsen - drums (2013–present)
Touring members

Popular Demand
Suburban Legends Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I stayed out late last night
Why am I such a fool?
My alarm did not go off
Now I'm late for school
I sneak slowly into class with professional agility,
"Yer not saved by the bell," yells Mr. Peabody

Some people think that I should do my best,

Why should I when I just flunked my last test
Just Say No
To Popular Demand
'Cause everyone you know is workin' for the man
Just Say No
To Popular Demand
Walk when they say run, and sit when they say stand

The faculty is all against me
The Government is too
Ferris Bueler you're my hero
You'd know what to do

Live each day as if it was your last, that was always my philosophy
No! Try harder than the rest, that's what they yell at me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Suburban Legends's song Popular Demand explore the theme of rebellion and non-conformity to societal expectations. The song starts with the singer being late for school due to oversleeping, and the teacher reprimanding him for it. The singer then questions why he should try his best in school when he just flunked his last test. The chorus repeatedly urges the listener to say no to popular demand, as everyone around them is working for the man. The song highlights the singer's frustration with the education system, as well as with the government and societal expectations in general. He is seeking inspiration and guidance from Ferris Bueler, the iconic character from the movie Ferris Bueler's Day Off, who famously defied the societal norms and spent a day of fun while skipping school.

Line by Line Meaning

I stayed out late last night
I was out late last night

Why am I such a fool?
I'm questioning my own intelligence

My alarm did not go off
My alarm failed to wake me up

Now I'm late for school
I'm running late for school

I sneak slowly into class with professional agility,
I enter class trying not to draw attention to myself

"Yer not saved by the bell," yells Mr. Peabody
Mr. Peabody reminds me that I'm late

Some people think that I should do my best,
Some people expect me to excel

Why should I when I just flunked my last test
I wonder why I should try when I failed my recent test

Just Say No
Reject

To Popular Demand
To conforming with what is popular

'Cause everyone you know is workin' for the man
Don't conform because everyone else you know is a part of the system