(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.
The Sand
The Hippos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I haven't done the best I can
If I don't change my selfish ways today
You say you'll go away to my dismay
Grab your thongs
We're going for a ride
Singing songs in my car, feeling happy
I'll show you who I am
We'll walk along the water holding hands
By the sand
We're heading west on highway number one
We'll drive until the hills block half the sun
We'll have some fun
To hurt you wasn't ever my intention
The truth is that I never lost affection
I'm sorry if I didn't pay attention
You were always on my mind
Grab your thongs
We're going for a ride
Singing songs in my car, feeling happy
Because we're going to the sand
I'll show you who I am
We'll walk along the water holding hands
Because we're going to the sand
Where I'll make you understand
We'll walk along the water holding hands
By the sand
I know sometimes I make mistakes
I think I need to make mistakes
Sometimes stupid things are said
And I'm sorry
I know sometimes I make mistakes
I know sometimes that it's too late
Sometimes stupid things are said
But we're going to the sand
I'll show you who I am
We'll walk along the water holding hands
Because we're going to the sand
Where I'll make you understand
We'll walk along the water holding hands
Yeah, we're going to the sand
Where I'll do the best I can
We'll walk along the water holding hands
By the sand
In The Hippos's song "The Sand," the lyrics follow a narrative of the singer apologizing to their partner for neglect and expressing their desire to make things right. The song opens with the partner accusing the singer of only understanding neglect and not putting in their best effort. The singer acknowledges their shortcomings and promises to change in order to prevent their partner from leaving. However, the song takes a turn as the singer suggests they take a trip to the beach together. They describe a lighthearted scene of driving while singing and holding hands by the water. The beach serves as a moment of redemption for the singer, where they can show their partner who they truly are and make them understand their love. The song ends with the singer admitting that they make mistakes, but expressing their commitment to doing their best to make things work with their partner.
The lyrics of "The Sand" ultimately convey a message of regret and a desire for redemption. The singer deeply cares for their partner, but realizes they have not always been the best partner to them. However, the beach represents a fresh start where they can truly show their love and make amends for their past mistakes. Throughout the song, the singer acknowledges their shortcomings and works to make things right with their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
You say neglect is all I understand
You believe I am incapable of showing care or attention towards you
I know I haven't done the best I can
I understand that my actions have not been ideal
If I don't change my selfish ways today
I need to change my self-centered behavior immediately
You say you'll go away to my dismay
You have threatened to leave me and it worries me
Grab your thongs
Get your flip-flops
We're going for a ride
We're going on a trip together
Singing songs in my car, feeling happy
We will be singing joyfully while driving in my car
Because we're going to the sand
Our destination is a sandy spot
I'll show you who I am
I will reveal my true self to you
We'll walk along the water holding hands
We will stroll by the shoreline while holding each other's hands
By the sand
Next to the sand
We're heading west on highway number one
We are driving towards the west on highway one
We'll drive until the hills block half the sun
We will keep driving until half of the sun is hidden behind the hills
We'll have some fun
We'll enjoy ourselves
To hurt you wasn't ever my intention
I never intended to hurt you
The truth is that I never lost affection
I have always been fond of you
I'm sorry if I didn't pay attention
I apologize for not giving you my undivided attention
You were always on my mind
I constantly thought about you
I know sometimes I make mistakes
I acknowledge that I am not infallible
I think I need to make mistakes
Making mistakes is necessary for personal growth
Sometimes stupid things are said
Words can be foolish or insensitive at times
And I'm sorry
I apologize for my errors
Yeah, we're going to the sand
Yes, we are definitely going to our sandy destination
Where I'll do the best I can
I will try my hardest to be the best I can be
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ariel Rechtshaid
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
marisadaniela6
I loved this album in high school. The cool new senior boy gave it to me and later asked me to homecoming and I kind of forgot all about until someone said something about sand 10 minutes ago and this song came out of my mouth. And here I am.
Aaron Freeze
I love this CD
Julius Sempai
came looking for pictures of sand hippos, found this instead lmao
Devin
fantastic
Kristen Hollis
f yeeah.... haven't heard this band since like 01' wowoo zee
Zelda and the Unibrows
HOUSE CONCERT????????
Chris Collins
second to reel big fish
flaco seagales
What does that even mean
Nick Jackson
No