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.

Blank Baby
The Presidents of the United States of America Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You might say someone else said it
Some worse some better then I
You might see someone taking pictures
They can't put them back and I will tell you why
Cause even when originals are dead
Something still put that idea in your head

You might hear someone else singing

This very same song
I can't slap on nasty handcuffs
Or scold like a lawyer screaming wrong wrong wrong
Cause even when the copyrights are fixed
A genuine thief has got a bottomless bag of tricks
I was born a blank baby and the world's here to fill my head
I'm still a blank baby but the world would rather see me dead
I was born a blank bay and the world's here to fill my head
I'm still a blank baby but the world would rather see me dead

You might see a painting in a studio
Might test the paint to find its wet
Start scraping down as deep as you can go
Until its just as blank as it can get
Cause even when the paint is dry
You can just erase it all by rolling back your eyes

I was born a blank bay and the world is here to fill my head
I'm still a blank baby but the world would rather see me dead
I was born a blank bay and the world is here to fill my head
I'm still a blank baby but the world would rather see me dead
Rather see me dead
See me dead

You might hear someone else singing
This very same song
I can't slap on nasty handcuffs
Or scold like a teacher screaming wrong wrong wrong
Cause all the originals are dead.

I was born a blank bay and the world is here to fill my head
I'm still a blank baby but the world would rather see me dead
I was born a blank bay and the world is here to fill my head
I'm still a blank baby but the world would rather see me dead
Rather see me dead
See me dead
You'd rather see me dead
Rather see me dead

You'd rather see me dead
You'd rather see me dead

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Presidents of the United States of America's song "Blank Baby" convey a sense of vulnerability and awareness of the influence that the world can have on an individual. The song's refrain, "I was born a blank baby and the world's here to fill my head," suggests that we are born with a blank slate and that our experiences and environment shape who we become. However, the song also presents a cautionary message, warning that the world's influences can be dangerous and even deadly. The line "I'm still a blank baby but the world would rather see me dead" implies that the pressures of society can lead us to lose our true selves and conform to expectations, instead of staying true to who we are.

The mention of other people singing the same song or taking pictures highlights the idea that everything we create or say is influenced by what has been said or done before us. It suggests that we are not truly original, but rather a product of the world around us. The line "even when the originals are dead, something still put that idea in your head" further emphasizes this point.

Overall, "Blank Baby" is a thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to consider how they are influenced by the world around them, while also urging them to stay true to themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

You might say someone else said it
Others might express their ideas in a way similar to mine, some better, some worse.

Some worse some better then I
There are opinions out there like mine, but not exactly like mine.

You might see someone taking pictures
You might observe someone taking photos.

They can't put them back and I will tell you why
Once photos are taken, they can’t be undone

Cause even when originals are dead
Even if the original work is gone, the idea will still linger.

Something still put that idea in your head
The idea behind the original work will remain influential.

You might hear someone else singing
Others might sing this song too.

This very same song
These people would be singing this exact song.

I can't slap on nasty handcuffs
I can't punish them for singing my song.

Or scold like a lawyer screaming wrong wrong wrong
I cannot accuse them like a lawyer who is arguing with another lawyer.

Cause even when the copyrights are fixed
Even if the rights are secured, piracy will still persist.

A genuine thief has got a bottomless bag of tricks
A true counterfeit person will always come up with a new way to deceive.

I was born a blank baby and the world's here to fill my head
I was born with no previous knowledge and the world is here to educate me.

I'm still a blank baby but the world would rather see me dead
The world doesn’t want to see me succeed because they want to remain superior.

You might see a painting in a studio
You could see an artwork in the artist's workplace.

Might test the paint to find its wet
You might see if the paint is still wet with a test.

Start scraping down as deep as you can go
You might scrape at the painting until there's nothing left.

Until its just as blank as it can get
Until it's as plain and empty as it can be.

Cause even when the paint is dry
Even when the artwork is finished, it can still be erased.

You can just erase it all by rolling back your eyes
By closing your eyes and withdrawing focus, you can forget a work of art.

Rather see me dead
The world would prefer me to be unsuccessful.

See me dead
If I'm not successful, I'm as good as dead in their eyes.

You'd rather see me dead
The world doesn't want me to prosper.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER WELDON BALLEW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS