Their debut album, Lemonade and Brownies, was released in 1995. It failed to produce a major hit. Their early work was strongly influenced by funk, punk, alternative rock and straight-up rhythm and blues, not a particularly fashionable combination at the time.
Sugar Ray's first mainstream hit came in the summer of 1997 with their song "Fly", which was released on the album Floored and featured notable reggae artist Super Cat. "Fly" was notable for not sounding anything at all like the rest of the tracks on the album and received frequent (some called it "constant") radio play. As a result of the success of "Fly", Floored sold extremely well and was certified double platinum. By the end of 1997, critics, skeptical that the band could put out another successful song, had labeled Sugar Ray as a one-hit wonder.
The band's sardonic reply to these accusations was given in the form of their 1999 album, 14:59; the album's title, with a "fame clock" reading 14:59, implied that their fifteen minutes of fame were not quite up. The song "Every Morning", which received widespread comparisons to "Fly", rose to similar success in late 1998, while their follow-up single, "Someday", received extensive airplay during 1999. This album, which outsold its predecessor and was certified triple platinum, proved that Sugar Ray was not a one-hit wonder after all. Though Sugar Ray was also set to play at Woodstock '99, they had to cancel due to illness.
Their 2001 self-titled album Sugar Ray produced another hit with "When It's Over" and reached the same level as their previous singles. Sugar Ray's 2003 effort In the Pursuit of Leisure, and the first single from that album, "Mr. Bartender (It's So Easy)" received a lukewarm reception. In 2005, Sugar Ray released a greatest hits album, with two new songs, including the single "Shot of Laughter".
After a five year hiatus, Sugar Ray returned with Music For Cougars, reiterating the band’s signature sound. As ever, musical styles – from dancehall to disco, punk to pure pop – are mixed and matched, resulting in a collection that is distinctively Sugar Ray, including songs such as the first single, “Boardwalk,” and the Rivers Cuomo-penned “Love Is the Answer”. “I’m not going to say we made the best record of our career,” beams singer Mark McGrath. “That’s just so clichéd. But we did!”
Since their 1995 Lemonade And Brownies debut, Sugar Ray had become stuck in a biennial cycle of touring and recording, touring and recording. 1997’s RIAA double platinum-certified sophomore effort, Floored, and its follow-up, 1999’s triple platinum 14:59 were trailed by 2001’s self-titled collection and 2003’s In The Pursuit Of Leisure. By the release of 2005’s The Best Of Sugar Ray, the band had earned a break.
Having devoted themselves to the band since its 1986 inception as The Shrinky Dinks, each member took the time to explore new creative terrain – McGrath stayed in the spotlight as co-host of the nationally syndicated entertainment news program, Extra. Craig “DJ Homicide” Bullock relocated to Florida, where became a hugely in-demand club DJ; drummer Stan Frazier worked as a songwriter and A+R exec; bassist Murphy Karges became a video director; and guitarist Rodney Sheppard taught music to neighborhood kids. Perhaps more importantly, Sheppard, Karges, and Frazier started families, with all living within a two mile radius from one another in their hometown of Newport Beach. “It was just the natural course to sort of lay back for a while,” Sheppard says, “We had a good run up to that time and we’d gotten to the point where we welcomed a break. It just ended up being a bit longer than we thought.”
Sugar Ray was quite active during their hiatus, busting out hits at private corporate events, county fairs, and countless summer festivals. By 2008, the band was itching to get back into the studio. In July, McGrath left Extra in order to devote more of his time to Sugar Ray. At the same time, the band’s longtime friend, producer Josh Abraham (Velvet Revolver, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park), invited them to cut a new album for his just-launched label, Pulse Recordings. “All the stars lined up for us,” Sheppard says. “We always said we would never force ourselves back on the public, but everything just fell together nicely. It was an opportunity for us to make some new music again so we grabbed it.” With Abraham at the helm, the band immediately set to work at the producer’s Pulse Recordings in Los Angeles. The producer pushed the band to reach down deep and refine their songwriting, penned, as ever, in various combinations of band members.
Perhaps more importantly, Abraham hooked Sugar Ray up with Pulse in-house producer/songwriter Luke Walker (The Deftones, Alkaline Trio, Filter, Elliot Yamin, and From First to Last), whom the band enthusiastically credits for helping to both energize and focus the album. “The guy’s a genius,” McGrath enthuses. “He’s an amazing songwriter and he really infused a new attitude, a new creativity, a new way to get songs done and get ‘em done quickly. Luke is the MVP of the whole project.” “We really clicked with Luke,” Sheppard says, “separately and together. A lot of time in the past, the band would come up with a song and get it three-quarters of the way there. With Luke, we were able to realize all our ideas. He was an important ingredient in the song-crafting.”
The sessions spanned close to a year, a leisurely process that enabled Sugar Ray to take their time with both songs and sonics. “Being the underdog again really frees up your creativity,” McGrath explains. “We had so much fun making the record. There was no pressure. It was purely about the love of songwriting and getting into the studio.”
Music For Cougars sees the band ping-ponging though pop’s innumerable permutations. “Love 101” is classic El Lay harmony pop a la Ricky Nelson, while “She’s Got The…” recalls the days when rock giants like Kiss and the Kinks dared to dip a toe into disco’s forbidden waters. Elsewhere, the band displays their mastery of cross-pollinated island rhythms and raps with the delightful “Girls Were Made To Love.” The track – built upon a sample from the 1962 hit, “(Girls, Girls, Girls) Made To Love,” written by Phil Everly and performed by child star Eddie Hodges – was an instant favorite among the bandmates, though they all sensed it needed something more to push it into classic status. McGrath suggested reaching out to Bermuda-based dancehall star Collie Buddz. The band sent the unfinished track to their friend Native Wayne, host of Indie 103.1’s “Native Wayne’s Reggae Smoke-In,” and within days, Buddz had promised to record his parts at the next earliest convenience. True to his word, Collie spent an April afternoon at Pulse, laying down his rapid-fire rhymes. “It’s amazing that when you reach out to people they sometimes actually say yes,” Sheppard says, “To have him on the record, it’s an honor. I think it’s the best song on the record now. The guy just came through big time.” “It’s something people would expect to hear from us,” McGrath says of the track, “but updated. I know there are people who are gonna say, ‘Oh great, Sugar Ray is doing dancehall again. Whatever.’ But to me, you can never have enough songs that sound like ‘Fly.’”
Sugar Ray has always reveled in teaming with fellow artists spanning a wide swath of genres, counting hip-hop heroes like Run DMC and KRS-One, reggae/dancehall superstars Shaggy and Super Cat, alternative rock musician Nick Hexum from 311, and pop royalty The Wilson Sisters. Along with the aforementioned Collie Buddz, Music For Cougars features a number of new alliances, including “Going Nowhere,” co-written with Tim Pagnotta of Sugarcult, and “Dance Like No One's Watchin',” a collaboration with surfing singer/songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter – an old friend of the band’s and Sheppard’s cousin by marriage. Perhaps the album’s most striking partnership is “Love Is The Answer,” an original song gifted to the band by Weezer honcho Rivers Cuomo.
Sugar Ray can claim credit for some of the most indelible pop hits of the previous decade, including the unforgettable #1 smashes, “Fly” and “Every Morning”. McGrath is proud of the band’s body of work. “I’ll be self-deprecating about myself and about the band,” he says, “but we wrote some fucking amazing songs. We wrote songs that people fell in love to, that people got married to, that people had sex to for the first time. The songs became bigger than the band. They’re the world’s property now and we need to be humbled by that.”
Sugar Ray are now getting set to take their classic songs – both new and old – on the road for their first full-scale tour in years. Music For Cougars allows the band to live up to its mission statement from the very beginning – to hang out together and make high-energy rock ‘n’ roll. “We have no misconceptions about what this record may do,” McGrath says. “It was strictly about making another record because we had great new material and the fact that we still enjoy playing together. “This is my life’s work,” he notes. “People say, ‘You’re still in the band?’ This is what I do! I’m gonna be in Sugar Ray till I die! I’ve been lucky enough to fit a uniform, I’m gonna wear it till the wheels fall off!”
Answer The Phone
Sugar Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold on, I'll stay here by your side
We head up to the sky then we slide back down
Upside down try to figure out
Not sure if we could work it out
I want to be alone but you feel like home
Answer the phone
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone
I know that you're home
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
The signals all are flashing red
It doesn't matter what was said
This bed is much too big without me and you
This all seems so ridiculous
Why can't we just get over this
Don't make me say the obvious
Without you
Answer the phone
I know that you're home
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone
I know that you're home
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
I practice all my lies to a telephone while you were sleeping
I practice all my lies to a telephone while you
Were sleeping
I practice all my lies to a telephone while you were sleeping
I remember the way you curled your toes
On the side of the stage at all our shows
And the glow on your face just because of one rose
And when I wake up in the morning
And you're wearing my clothes
Answer the phone
I know that you're home
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone
I know that you're home
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Do it again, do it again
And do it again, do it again
I want to do it again do it again
And do it again, do it again
The lyrics of Sugar Ray's song "Answer The Phone" contain a mix of contradictory emotions, which is why the song has been so relatable to so many listeners. The song portrays the roller coaster ride of a relationship in which the singer cannot decide whether to stay committed or walk away. He acknowledges the emotional mess they are in, singing, "We're on this roller coaster ride, Hold on, I'll stay here by your side." Then he admits that he's not sure if the relationship can work out while simultaneously confessing, "I want to be alone, but you feel like home." The contrast between his desire to be alone and the comfort he finds with his partner is intense.
In the chorus, the singer urges his lover to pick up the phone, "Answer the phone, I know that you're home. I want to get you alone, and do it again, do it again." He recognizes their connection, the moments when they're able to have each other's company, and the lovemaking that ensues.
The last part of the lyrics reveals the singer’s obsession with his lover. He has been admiring her for a long time, and he’s happy that she’s now wearing his clothes. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing that the singer wants to maintain his connection with his partner despite the challenges they face.
Line by Line Meaning
We're on this roller coaster ride
We are experiencing our relationship like a roller coaster with all its ups and downs.
Hold on, I'll stay here by your side
I'll be there for you and support you through the good and the bad times.
We head up to the sky then we slide back down
Our relationship has moments of extreme highs and lows.
Upside down try to figure out
We are trying to understand our relationship even when it seems confusing.
Not sure if we could work it out
I am uncertain if we can overcome our relationship problems.
I want to be alone but you feel like home
Even when I need my space, being with you always feels comfortable and welcoming.
The signals all are flashing red
The relationship is in trouble and in danger of ending.
It doesn't matter what was said
Regardless of the disagreements we may have, I still want to be with you.
This bed is much too big without me and you
I can't be without you because it's painful to sleep alone.
This all seems so ridiculous
The problems in our relationship seem unnecessary and avoidable.
Why can't we just get over this
We should be able to put aside our problems and move forward.
Don't make me say the obvious
I don't want to have to point out the obvious that we should be together.
Without you
I can't imagine living without you by my side.
I practice all my lies to a telephone while you were sleeping
I rehearse what I will say to you in conversations or arguments in my head when you're not around.
I remember the way you curled your toes
I have fond memories and moments of intimacy with you that I cherish.
On the side of the stage at all our shows
I reminisce about the moments we had together during concerts and other shared experiences.
And the glow on your face just because of one rose
I remember how happy and appreciative you were when I gave you a rose, and it warms my heart.
And when I wake up in the morning and you're wearing my clothes
I feel a sense of ownership and belonging when you wear my clothes.
I want to do it again, do it again
I want to reignite our romantic connection and have those intimate moments with you again.
And do it again, do it again
I want to relive and redo those good memories together.
Answer the phone
Pick up the phone so we can talk and work out our issues.
I know that you're home
I am aware that you're not busy and have time to talk.
I want to get you alone
I want to spend time with you privately and resolve our issues.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK MCGRATH, STAN FRAZIER, RODNEY SHEPPARD, CRAIG BULLOCK, MURPHY KARGES, DON GILMORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
yee kar soon
We're on this roller coaster ride,
Hold on, I'll stay here by your side
We head up to the sky then we slide back down
Upside down, try to figure out,
Not sure if we could work it out
I wanna be alone but you feel like home
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
The signals all are flashing red,
It doesn't matter what was said
This bed is much too big without me and you
This all seems so ridiculous,
Why can't we just get over this?
Don't make me say the obvious without you
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
I practice all my lines to a telephone while you were sleeping
I practice all my lines to a telephone while you were sleeping
I practice all my lines to a telephone while you were sleeping
I remember the way you curled your toes
On the side of the stage at all our shows
And the glow on your face just because of one rose
When I wake up in the morning and you're wearing my clothes
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Do it again, do it again
And do it again, do it again
I wanna do it again, do it again
And do it again, do it again
Nuar S
We're on this roller coaster ride,
Hold on, I'll stay here by your side
We head up to the sky then we slide back down
Upside down, try to figure out,
Not sure if we could work it out
I wanna be alone but you feel like home
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
The signals all are flashing red,
It doesn't matter what was said
This bed is much too big without me and you
This all seems so ridiculous,
Why can't we just get over this?
Don't make me say the obvious without you
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
I practice all my lines to a telephone while you were sleeping
I practice all my lines to a telephone while you were sleeping
I practice all my lines to a telephone while you were sleeping
I remember the way you curled your toes
On the side of the stage at all our shows
And the glow on your face just because of one rose
When I wake up in the morning and you're wearing my clothes
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone,
I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Do it again, do it again
And do it again, do it again
I wanna do it again, do it again
And do it again, do it again
姓氏神仙
We're on this roller coaster ride
Hold on, I'll stay here by your side
We head up to the sky then we slide back down
Upside down try to figure out
Not sure if we could work it out
I want to be alone but you feel like home
Answer the phone
I know that you're home
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone
I know that you're home
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
The signals all are flashing red
It doesn't matter what was said
This bed is much too big without me and you
This all seems so ridiculous
Why can't we just get over this
Don't make me say the obvious
Without you
Answer the phone
I know that you're home
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone
I know that you're home
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
I practice all my lies to a telephone while you were sleeping
I practice all my lies to a telephone while you
Were sleeping
I practice all my lies to a telephone while you were sleeping
I remember the way you curled your toes
On the side of the stage at all our shows
And the glow on your face just because of one rose
And when I wake up in the morning
And you're wearing my clothes
Answer the phone
I know that you're home
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Answer the phone
I know that you're home
I want to get you alone
And do it again, do it again
Do it again, do it again
And do it again, do it again
I want to do it again do it again
And do it again, do it again
AKH1 E.
Listening to this song since i was 10 years old (2001) .. and now I'm 31 😅 What a Great Band 👍🏻
wandering spirit
love this, reminds me of the glory days before tech connected the entire planet, I would pay this guy if I had the sufficient funds to create a new album miss these gentlemen.
John Garrett Yuhas
this was right when the world changed-- right after 9/11-- this was one of the last of the 90's sound
Mike Replin
They played the opening night at a New Casino nearby where I live... Caught them by surprise it was a great show and met Rodney and Mark. Oh and they have a new album coming out eventually aswell!
Ali S
@Mathias F. They have released 3 albums since this one - all of them have more or less the same summery vibe
Mathias F.
Luck you. They have a new album coming out in 2 weeks.
Alina Adriana
God,,, miss this era, when im in highschool,, miss this kind of music 😭
Sri Yanto
2000 - 2003 such memorable moment
Multikoun
You are 39 to 42 y.o dont you?like iam.
FHChannel59
36 years old