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.
Meanwhile Back in the City
The Presidents of the United States of America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When a man I did not know showed me the door
And told me I had to go
Well, that kind of humiliation never happens on farm
That's why city living does the psyche such harm
And I said...
Fire escapes don't work until there's a fire
Live in the mud
There's no need to go higher
Once you taste a brick, you won't want more
Saving sanity is no trick when your livin' outdoors
Well, it did not take me long to realize my mistake
When garbage trucks messed up my dreams, I knew my dreams were fake
Don't know how people gonna live like this
Pigeons might enjoy it but I can't live in this mess, and I said...
Fire escapes don't work until there's a fire
You gotta sleep on the floor
Live in the mud
There's no need to go higher
Once you taste a brick, you can't chew and talk
Saving sanity is no trick when your livin' in a room the size of a shoe box
So, finally, all the wires and plastic got to me
Ideas and realizations were passing right through me
I did not take a train, a plane, or bus with wings
Man wasn't meant to fly
Besides, walking does the same thing: gets me outta here
Fire escapes don't work until there's a fire
You gotta sleep on the floor
Live in the mud
There's no need to go higher
Once you taste a brick, you won't want more
Saving sanity is a trick when you're livin' on someone else's floor
Hi, wassup, how you doing? It's good to see ya
What's your name again? I can't remember
Times up, gotta go
The lyrics of "Meanwhile Back in the City" by The Presidents of the United States of America describe the contrast between the idyllic life of living on a farm and the harsh reality of living in the city. The singer is standing alone in a crowded disco when he is abruptly asked to leave by a stranger. He reflects on the humiliation of living in the city and how it affects the psyche. He then asserts that city living is not worth it, despite the allure of high-rise buildings, and that saving sanity is no trick when living outdoors.
The first verse establishes the theme of contrasts between the city and the rural life that the singer is accustomed to. The city is harsh, humiliating, and filled with stressors that the farmer has never encountered. Sleepless nights on the floor, living in the mud, and no need to go higher, are some of the conditions that plague city-dwellers. Despite these difficulties, city life remains attractive, until one has had enough.
The second part of the song reflects the singer's decision to leave the city and return to walking. He reflects on how the wires and plastic of the city get to him and how he needs to get out. Overall, the song conveys a sense of disillusionment with city life and a longing for simpler times. The song resonates with anyone who has felt the stark contrast between the fast-paced lifestyle of the city and the slower pace of life that rural areas provide.
Line by Line Meaning
I was standing quiet, alone in a crowded disco
I felt lonely in a large gathering of people
When a man I did not know showed me the door
An unfamiliar man asked me to leave the place
And told me I had to go
He explicitly asked me to leave the disco
That kind of humiliation never happens on farm
Living in a rural area is less demeaning than living in a city
That's why city living does the psyche such harm
Living in a city can have negative effects on mental health
And I said...
I responded to the unwelcoming experience
Fire escapes don't work until there's a fire
Precautionary measures are often ignored until a crisis occurs
You gotta sleep on the floor
Living conditions can be uncomfortable and unpleasant
Live in the mud
People may have to endure unhygienic living conditions
There's no need to go higher
There's no real incentive to aim for higher living standards
Once you taste a brick, you won't want more
Living in a substandard home can lower one's aspirations
Saving sanity is no trick when your livin' outdoors
Maintaining one's mental well-being is crucial when living in challenging conditions
Well, it did not take me long to realize my mistake
I quickly understood that living in the city was a bad idea
When garbage trucks messed up my dreams, I knew my dreams were fake
The unpleasant city environment gradually impacted my hopes and dreams
Don't know how people gonna live like this
I couldn't comprehend how people manage to cope with the city's poor conditions
Pigeons might enjoy it but I can't live in this mess, and I said...
The messiness of the city environment made it unbearable for me
So, finally, all the wires and plastic got to me
The synthetic and artificial elements of the city impacted me negatively
Ideas and realizations were passing right through me
I found it hard to focus and think clearly
I did not take a train, a plane, or bus with wings
I preferred walking as a mode of transportation
Man wasn't meant to fly
Humans were not designed to travel at high altitudes
Besides, walking does the same thing: gets me outta here
Walking helped me escape from the unpleasant city environment
Saving sanity is a trick when you're livin' on someone else's floor
It can be hard to maintain mental well-being when relying on others for housing
Hi, wassup, how you doing? It's good to see ya
A friendly greeting to an acquaintance
What's your name again? I can't remember
Asking for a reminder of someone's name
Times up, gotta go
The conversation has ended and it's time to leave
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER WELDON BALLEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind