There is more than one band with this name.

(1) The Hippos were a th… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one band with this name.

(1) The Hippos were a third wave ska-punk band from Southern California. Unlike other typical bands of the genre, The Hippos employed heavy use of a Moog synthesizer.
The Hippos’s first full album release was Forget the World, released in 1996. Interestingly, many of the songs on Forget The World were written when Ariel Rechstaid, the band’s primary songwriter, was only 15 years old. This album employed traditional ska-punk songwriting, including upbeat tempos and heavy brass instrumentation. Additionally, various percussion instruments were used, such as bongos and wood blocks. The next album was Heads Are Gonna Roll, released in 1999. A transitional album, a balance of horns and synthesizers is found on this album. Commercially, this album was the band’s most successful; it is the only album to be fully produced by a large record label and thus is assumedly the most circulated and heard of the three albums.
The Hippos, a self titled final release, was released in 2003 after the band’s break-up. This album completed the gradual transition from traditional ska-punk to the unique, orginal synthpop sound exhibited here. Ties to the ska-punk scene from which they began had been all but completely severed. In fact, only one track from this album uses horns at all, an essential element of ska. Much of the Hippos’s fanbase was initially reluctant at such a different sound, but for the most part, this reluctance gave way to admiration. To many fans, the Hippos’s final album was their best written and most enjoyable, despite its limited commercial success.

(2) The Hippos are a blues band from Sydney, Australia. They enjoyed modest chart success with Dark Age in 1988, from the album Hippocracy.

Better Watch Your Back
The Hippos Lyrics

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The things you claim,
I can't accept the blame
Better watch your back
I'm gonna win this game
You try to phase me,
You can't phase me
I got you thinking that I feel no pain

But I feel it [Repeat x4]

Are you insane,
Enjoy inflicting pain
Better watch your back
I'm gonna ruin your name
Try to control me,
But I'm too strong you see
I got you thinking that I feel no pain

But I feel it [Repeat x4]

You try to bring me down

You can't bring me down
But I can bring you down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Better Watch Your Back" by The Hippos is all about a person who is being accused of something that he or she didn't do. The general theme of the song is that there will always be people who will try to bring you down, but it's important to stand strong and not give in to their negativity. The singer of the song is trying to empower himself by taking control of the situation and not giving in to the accusations. He is warning the person who is trying to bring him down to watch his back, as he is going to fight back and win the game. The lyrics reveal that the singer is strong enough to withstand the negativity and the pain that comes along with it.

The line "I got you thinking that I feel no pain, But I feel it" is particularly powerful as it shows that, even though he may appear to be unbreakable, he is human and feels pain. It's a reminder that people who appear to be strong and powerful are still vulnerable and should not be underestimated.

Overall, the lyrics of the song "Better Watch Your Back" are a powerful message about not giving in to negative thoughts and standing up for oneself. It's a message about inner strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

The things you claim,
I don't agree with the things you say

I can't accept the blame
I won't take responsibility for something I didn't do

Better watch your back
Be careful, I'm a formidable opponent

I'm gonna win this game
I will emerge victorious

You try to phase me,
You attempt to shake my confidence

You can't phase me
I am unshakeable

I got you thinking that I feel no pain
You assume I am emotionless, but that's not true

But I feel it [Repeat x4]
I do feel pain, despite what you may think

Are you insane,
Are you crazy?

Enjoy inflicting pain
Do you take pleasure in hurting others?

I'm gonna ruin your name
I will damage your reputation