The Presidents of the United States of America, commonly referred to as sim… Read Full Bio ↴The Presidents of the United States of America, commonly referred to as simply The Presidents or PUSA is a Grammy-nominated American alternative rock band. The band formed in Seattle, USA, in 1993. The three-piece currently comprises vocalist and "basitarist" Chris Ballew, drummer and vocalist Jason Finn and "guitbassist"/vocalist Andrew McKeag. Long time "guitbassist" and vocalist Dave Dederer departed the band in 2004, after 11 years. They have released five studio albums since forming in 1993. Their whimsy electric live performances have maintained loyal fans for some time.

The band released their self-titled first album in March 1995 via PopLlama Records. After they garnered massive acclaim, Columbia Records quickly signed them. The album peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and has shipped over three million copies. The RIAA has certified it as triple platinum. Songs "Peaches", "Kitty", "Lump", and "Dune Buggy" received major airplay.

Their 1996 follow-up album, "II", did not reach the same acclaim, though it reached the top forty on the Billboard 2000. Single "Mach 5" also garnered some airplay. The band then fell of the radar for many listeners, dropped by their major label. However, their albums of the new millennium, 'Freaked Out and Small' followed by 'Love Everybody' and 'These Are the Good Times People' (released in 2000, 2004, and 2008, respectively), picked up positive critical reviews, such as from the All Music Guide. Although their touring schedule became more sporadic into the 00s and 10s, they continue to perform and satisfy audiences with their off-beat humor and catchy hooks.

Back Porch
The Presidents of the United States of America Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Happy with no teeth
Happy here in hibernation
Slurpin' on a peach
Starin' at the situation
Kitty on my foot
Meowin' out a conversation
Rockin' back and forth
That's my only destination

Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
And that old man is me!

Got a two string on my lap
Total subsonic vacation
Got chicken on the drums,
Poundin' out a perfect prescription
Got twenty little worms
I'll plug in some amplification
Got fifteen hundred base drum - luggin bug-eyed monkeys
All arriving at the station

I'm sittin on the back porch, kickin' my legs back,
Rockin' in my rocking chair, and sittin' there
On the little back porch is about to fall apart
So I think I might repair it
Just as I'm thinkin' about repairin' it,
Some little friends come along
With some two-string, one-string, no-string guitars
And they all plug em all in to the back porch
And they sit around playin' all their favorite songs
They's kickin' back feelin' real good,
Real fine, real full of the wine
And everything's fine, everything's beautiful,
Everything's great, I just feel so good

You know I'm seventy years old
And I'm slurpin' everything through a straw

Overall Meaning

The Presidents of the United States of America's song "Back Porch" is a fun and lighthearted tribute to the simple joys of life, written from the perspective of an old man sitting on his back porch. The song opens with the lyrics "Happy with no teeth, happy here in hibernation, slurpin' on a peach, starin' at the situation." The old man has reached a point in his life where he is content with what he has and is taking it easy, enjoying the little things in life like juicy peaches. The addition of the kitty and the two-string guitar, among other things, sets a carefree and laid-back tone.

The lyrics mention the arrival of "fifteen hundred base drum-luggin' bug-eyed monkeys" and "twenty little worms" that will be given amplification, portraying a sense of excitement and anticipation. As he sips everything through a straw and reflects on his surroundings, he's joined by "little friends" who bring their own instruments to join in the fun. The song's infectious chorus "Old man on the back porch, and that old man is me!" reinforces the song's theme of finding happiness in simple things.

Overall, "Back Porch" tells a charming story of a man who is perfectly satisfied with his life and takes pleasure in the mundane moments that make up his day. It's a reminder to enjoy the present moment and reflect on the simple things that bring us joy.

Line by Line Meaning

Happy with no teeth
I am content and satisfied, even though I have lost my teeth

Happy here in hibernation
I am enjoying a moment of rest and relaxation

Slurpin' on a peach
I am enjoying the simple pleasure of eating a peach and savoring its flavor

Starin' at the situation
I am observing my surroundings and reflecting on my life and circumstances

Kitty on my foot
A cat is sitting on my foot and we are having a conversation through its meows

Meowin' out a conversation
The cat and I are communicating through its meows

Rockin' back and forth
I am gently moving my body back and forth in my rocking chair

That's my only destination
All I want to do is relax and enjoy my time on the back porch

Old man on the back porch
I am an old man sitting on the back porch

Got a two string on my lap
I have a two-stringed instrument on my lap and I am playing it

Total subsonic vacation
Playing music is a way for me to relax and escape from the pressures of everyday life

Got chicken on the drums,
I have a chicken that is pecking on a drum, creating a rhythmic sound

Poundin' out a perfect prescription
The chicken's drumming is creating a perfect beat that complements my two-stringed instrument

Got twenty little worms
I have twenty small, wriggly creatures that I will use to bait my fishing hook

I'll plug in some amplification
I will connect my instruments and chicken drum to a sound system to make them louder

Got fifteen hundred base drum - luggin bug-eyed monkeys
Fifteen hundred monkeys are carrying a large drum to my back porch, providing an additional percussive sound

All arriving at the station
The monkeys and their drum have arrived at my back porch

I'm sittin on the back porch, kickin' my legs back,
I am sitting on the back porch, relaxing and kicking my legs back

Rockin' in my rocking chair, and sittin' there
I am enjoying the comfort of my rocking chair while sitting on the back porch

On the little back porch is about to fall apart
The back porch is in a state of disrepair and needs to be fixed

So I think I might repair it
I am considering repairing the back porch

Some little friends come along
Some of my friends have arrived to join me on the back porch

With some two-string, one-string, no-string guitars
My friends have brought their own musical instruments, including some that have only one or no strings

And they all plug em all in to the back porch
My friends are connecting their instruments to the sound system on my back porch

And they sit around playin' all their favorite songs
My friends are playing music and singing songs that they enjoy

They's kickin' back feelin' real good,
My friends are relaxed and enjoying themselves

Real fine, real full of the wine
They are feeling great and may have had some wine to drink

And everything's fine, everything's beautiful,
Everyone is happy and content with the moment

Everything's great, I just feel so good
I am feeling good and glad to be surrounded by good friends and music

You know I'm seventy years old
I am an older man, having lived for seventy years

And I'm slurpin' everything through a straw
Due to my age, I may have difficulty eating and drinking normally and require assistance in the form of a straw

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRIS BALLEW, DAVID MICHAEL DEDERER, JASON S. FINN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Damian Varnum

46w↑2

Happy with no teeth
Happy here in hibernation
Slurpin' on a peach
Starin' at the situation
Kitty at my foot
Meowin' out a conversation
Rockin' back and forth
That's my only destination

Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
And that old man is me
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
And that

I gotta
Two-string on my left
Total subsonic vacation
Y'got Chicken on the drums
Poundin' out a perfect perscription
Got 20 little worms
All plugged into amplification
Got 1500 base drum luggin' bug-eyed monkeys
All arriving at the station

Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
And that old man is me
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
And that

I'm sittin' on the back porch, kickin' my legs back
Rockin' in my rockin' chair, jus' sittin' there
Awning on the lil' back porch is 'bout to fall apart
So I think I might repair it
Just as I'm thinkin' about repairin' it
Some little friends come along with some
Two-string, one-string, no-string guitars
And they plug 'em all in to the back porch
And they sit around, playin' all their favorite songs
They kick it back, feelin' real good, real fine
Real full of the wine
And everything's fine, everything's beautiful, everything's great
I just feel so good y'know, I'm 70 years old
And I'm sippin' everything through a straw
But I'm an

Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
And that old man is me
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
And that