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.
Devil in a Sleepin' Bag
The Presidents of the United States of America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Promotion sickness on the road
Takin' it home to rock it out for the kids
Dropped a tranny, jumped a railroad
And went through a music store
If you want to buy a van we're taking bids
[Chorus]
He said traveling down the road is such a drag
If we make it home by Friday we can brag
And the Devil shivered in his sleepin' bag
Well I just got back from Austin
Ron and Guy-O done it all
Funky Weasles there for all the world to see
Lord, I hear an angel strummin'
In a bar under the stars
Junior Brown, Junior Browne, pick for me
[Chorus]
The lyrics to The Presidents of the United States of America's song "Devil in a Sleepin' Bag" describe the band's experiences on the road as they travel from one city to another for their concert tour. They are headed to Seattle and suffering from promotion sickness, which is a term used to describe exhaustion and a lack of motivation due to the pressures of being on tour. The band is determined to get home to rock it out for their fans, but they encounter some obstacles along the way, including dropping the transmission and jumping a railroad.
As they travel, they stop at a music store, and the lyrics suggest that they are looking to buy a van, and they have invited bids. This line suggests that the band is looking to upgrade their transportation, which is a common issue for bands on tour who need reliable transportation to get them from one city to another. The chorus of the song speaks to the band's frustrations with the endless road travel and their desire to get home, where they can brag about making it back by Friday. The devil in the sleeping bag represents the band's fatigue and exhaustion as they trudge along on the road, looking for a break from the endless touring.
Overall, "Devil in a Sleepin' Bag" is a wry commentary on the realities of life on tour, with its long stretches of boredom punctuated by moments of excitement and the endless strain of travel. The song is a tribute to the hard work and dedication that goes into being a successful touring band and the sense of camaraderie that binds musicians together as they navigate the highs and lows of life on the road.
Line by Line Meaning
We here headed to Seattle
We are currently traveling to Seattle
Promotion sickness on the road
We are exhausted from constantly promoting ourselves while on tour
Takin' it home to rock it out for the kids
We're excited to go back home and perform for our fans
Dropped a tranny, jumped a railroad
We had some car trouble, but we managed to fix it and continue on our journey
And went through a music store
We stopped at a music store during our travels
If you want to buy a van we're taking bids
We are selling a van and accepting offers
And the Devil shivered in his sleepin' bag
The Devil is feeling uneasy about our actions
He said traveling down the road is such a drag
The Devil thinks that traveling is tedious
If we make it home by Friday we can brag
We will be able to boast if we make it home by Friday
Well I just got back from Austin
I recently returned from a trip to Austin
Ron and Guy-O done it all
My friends Ron and Guy-O had a great time and experienced everything Austin had to offer
Funky Weasles there for all the world to see
There was a band called Funky Weasels performing in Austin
Lord, I hear an angel strummin'
I can hear a very talented musician playing in a bar
In a bar under the stars
The bar I'm in is an outdoor venue
Junior Brown, Junior Browne, pick for me
I'm requesting a song from Junior Brown
And the Devil shivered in his sleepin' bag
The Devil is still feeling uneasy about our actions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIE NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mopar Tom's Garage
second , not kidding any more this is an awesome song 5 years on from my last comment , and now own the album on cd and tape
Mopar Tom's Garage
first , just kidding , first time i heard this it was live on the radio, in 1997 president's on triple j radio in australia ,