(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.
Forget the World
The Hippos Lyrics
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matters any more!
My grades have dropped I'm such a schmuck, but I don't care I don't give a ----
Nothing matters any more! Ever since I heard that ring, I put down everything. I
picked the phone up off the floor, and nothing matters any more! Forget the
world! So time has passed but nothing's changed, my life's still bad it's all
rearranged. Nothing matters any more! My grades have dropped I'm such a schmuck,
but I don't care I don't give a ..... Nothing matters any more! (Chorus)
The Hippos's song Forget The World is a fast-paced tune that talks about a feeling of indifference and detachment from everything around. The singer seems to have found solace in the company of someone, possibly a love interest, and is willing to ignore everything else in his life that has lost its meaning. The lyrics, "My life is good, my life is great. Nothing matters any more!" suggest a certain detachment from reality and an attempt to seek pleasure in trivial pursuits. The line, "Ever since I heard that ring, I put down everything" could suggest that the singer has found a certain level of comfort, perhaps a sense of belonging and security.
However, despite finding temporary comfort, the singer seems to be aware of the fact that everything else in his life is falling apart. "My grades have dropped I'm such a schmuck" suggests that he is aware of his responsibilities but has chosen to ignore them. The chorus, "Forget the world!" could be seen as a call to abandon everything that doesn't matter and seek pleasure in the here and now. Overall, the song is a commentary on the human tendency to seek refuge in things that don't really matter when life gets tough, ignoring responsibilities and grappling with the reality of one's situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I pick you up, we stay out late. My life is good, my life is great. Nothing matters any more!
I am happy in this moment, spending time with you and enjoying life to the fullest. My current satisfaction is so great that nothing else seems to matter.
My grades have dropped I'm such a schmuck, but I don't care I don't give a ----
Despite my academic performance declining, I am unbothered and careless about it. Academic success is no longer a priority for me.
Ever since I heard that ring, I put down everything. I picked the phone up off the floor, and nothing matters any more!
After receiving a phone call, my attention has shifted and everything else in my life has become insignificant. This one piece of information has altered my perspective on life entirely.
Forget the world!
I am so consumed by my current thoughts and state of being that I wish to disregard the rest of the world completely.
So time has passed but nothing's changed, my life's still bad it's all rearranged. Nothing matters any more!
Despite the passing of time, my life remains unsatisfying and disjointed. Nevertheless, my current preoccupations have rendered all other issues irrelevant.
My grades have dropped I'm such a schmuck, but I don't care I don't give a ..... Nothing matters any more!
Similar to the second verse, I express my indifference towards my academic performance, adding emphasis to the fact that nothing else seems to have any significance anymore.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ariel Rechtshaid, Richard Zahniser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tina Tee
This is one of my favorite albums ever! I think the fact that the band members are in high school speaks volumes to their talent and ambition. I lived next door to Ariel and his parents when this album was being made, they practiced in the garage right outside my bedroom, and I used to dance around my house to this music 1995-1997.... so many great memories they even played in my backyard at a house party! #skalives
Stuart Melvin
Amazing lol! I was skating to this in 98/99 here in the UK. Fun times!
josh lewis
That's fucking bad ass! Lucky haha
manuel iranzo pesudo
Lucky guy!
Joe Lucero
20 years later and I still remember every word.
Just a great album all together.
Man Ransom
One of the best ska punk albums ever, easily
McCue Noir Films
Agreed! They were the first ska band I ever listened to. A friend burned me a CD with 3 of their songs on it in 1999 and I was forever a ska kid.
lolo lolo
this album give me skapunk passion 23 years ago...one of my best remembers eve
josh lewis
Man Ransom I agree, hands down all around is a bad ass album
paulyman98
Thank you! It’s a travesty that this isn’t available on Spotify