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.

Boll Weevil
The Presidents of the United States of America Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let me tell you bout a friend of mine
His name is boll weevil, check him out

Spends all day
On his big butt
And he don't ever, ever get outside
I come to visit,
I bring some sunshine

And I just spread it all over the fire
He's stuck on his big couch
Stuck in his big show
He looks at the TV and he's all right
I come from the drug lord
The local drug store
(Bug is supplied) and he's never uptight

And I wonder:
'Boll Weevil, why don't you get out of your home?'

Said, 'I'm comfortable here'
Don't want to move, don't want to leave
I said, 'Boll Weevil, get right out of your home.'

Goodbye, I gotta stay
I will some other day
Bye Bye, gotta go to sleep
And let the tube shine
Let the tube shine
Let the tube shine
Let the tube shine

Now, I would tell you bout boll weevil
But that bug is just too scary
He's sittin' there all alone
I try to coach him out, but he would not (try surprise)
But he would not move a muscle when I tried

Make him see that the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see that the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see that the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see that the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see that the sun is shinin' outside

Boll Weevil, get right out of your home
Boll Weevil, get right out of your home
Boll Weevil, get right out of your home
Boll Weevil, get right out of your home

Now, I would tell you bout boll weevil
But that bug is just too scary
He's sittin' there all alone
I try to coach him out, but he would not (drop his pies)
But he would not move a muscle when I tried

Make him see that the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see that the sun is shinin' out
Make him see the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see the sun is shinin' outside
Make him see the sun is shinin' outside

Come on little buggy, he's a little bug!

Overall Meaning

The Presidents of the United States of America's song "Boll Weevil" is a humorous ode to a lazy insect friend named Boll Weevil. The lyrics describe the bug as spending all day on his big couch, never venturing outside, and being content with consuming drugs from the local drug store. The singer tries to encourage Boll Weevil to leave his home and enjoy the sunshine but is unsuccessful in doing so. The song ends with the singer saying goodbye and hoping that he can convince Boll Weevil to leave his home another day. The chorus repeats the plea for Boll Weevil to leave his home and get out into the world.

The song is a lighthearted take on the human condition of becoming too comfortable with one's surroundings and not wanting to venture outside of their comfort zone. The president's use of a lazy boll weevil bug to illustrate the point is both original and fun. The song is also an excellent example of the band's humor, which is characteristic of their music.

Line by Line Meaning

Let me tell you bout a friend of mine
I'm going to talk about my friend, the boll weevil

His name is boll weevil, check him out
My friend's name is the boll weevil

Spends all day
He spends his entire day

On his big butt
Sitting on his large behind

And he don't ever, ever get outside
He never goes outside

I come to visit,
I came to visit him

I bring some sunshine
I brought some happiness

And I just spread it all over the fire
I shared my joy with him

He's stuck on his big couch
He's stuck on his large sofa

Stuck in his big show
He's stuck watching TV

He looks at the TV and he's all right
He spends his time watching TV and he's content

I come from the drug lord
I came from the drugstore

The local drug store
My nearby pharmacy

(Bug is supplied) and he's never uptight
I supplied him with bug repellent and he's never worried

And I wonder:
I wonder why he won't leave his home

'Boll Weevil, why don't you get out of your home?'
I asked him why he won't leave his home

Said, 'I'm comfortable here'
He said he's comfortable where he is

Don't want to move, don't want to leave
He doesn't want to leave his house

Goodbye, I gotta stay
I have to leave now

I will some other day
I'll come back another day

Bye Bye, gotta go to sleep
Goodbye, I need to go to bed

And let the tube shine
I'll let the TV play

Now, I would tell you bout boll weevil
I want to tell you about the boll weevil

But that bug is just too scary
But he's too scary for me

He's sittin' there all alone
He's sitting alone in his house

I try to coach him out, but he would not (try surprise)
I tried to trick him into leaving the house, but he wouldn't move

But he would not move a muscle when I tried
He wouldn't even budge when I tried to coach him out

Make him see that the sun is shinin' outside
I want him to realize that it's sunny outside

Make him see the sun is shinin' outside
I want him to see that the sun is shining

Come on little buggy, he's a little bug!
Come on, my little boll weevil friend!

Boll Weevil, get right out of your home
Please leave your home, boll weevil

Make him see that the sun is shinin' out
Please, recognize that the sun is shining outside

Make him see the sun is shinin' outside
Please, realize that the sun is shining outside

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRIS BALLEW, DAVID MICHAEL DEDERER, JASON S. FINN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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