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.
Poor Little Me
The Presidents of the United States of America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't watch your back
In fact I never want you to leave
My heart was falling and you didn't try to catch it
Behind your back and you were holding a hatchet
Stop your talking and help me rake up leaves
Oh oh oh oh
Poor poor poor so poor because of she
Carved her name into my living tree
Climbed up to the top so she could see
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
I had a heart attack
You made a cordwood stack
Stacked up so high I can't see
My heart was broken and you kept on stakin'
Grab that ax and keep on wackin'
Quit your splittin' and sweep up my debris
Oh oh oh oh
Poor little me
Tied a mood swing on my loving tree
Way too heavy the branch is getting weak
I tried to swing and I skinned my little knee
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
Pushing and shoving all around my loving tree
You put on your kiss off boots
Walked all over my deep emotional roots
Poor little me (poor me)
Poor little me (little me)
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
The lyrics of the song "Poor Little Me" by The Presidents of the United States of America are undoubtedly poignant and powerful, full of emotional resonance for anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak. The song tells the story of a relationship gone sour, with the singer depicting themselves as a victim of their lover -- "poor little me." The song begins with the singer addressing their "little lumberjack," clearly someone they care for deeply. However, the singer then accuses their lover of not watching their back and holding a hatchet behind their back, which serves as a metaphor for their lack of attentiveness to the singer's heart during the relationship. The singer then implores their lover to stop talking and help rake up leaves, a symbolic plea to work together to tidy up the mess of the relationship.
As the song progresses, the singer continues to depict themselves as a victim of their lover's behavior. They reference a heart attack, which may be a metaphor for the emotional turmoil they experienced during the relationship. They accuse their lover of continuing to "stake" after the singer's heart was broken, which could represent the difficulty the singer had in moving on from the relationship. The singer then sings about a "mood swing" tied to their "loving tree," which is a metaphor for the relationship itself. By the end of the song, the singer seems tired and defeated, lamenting the fact that their lover has walked all over their "deep emotional roots."
Overall, "Poor Little Me" is a powerful and emotional song that captures the pain and confusion of heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
My little lumberjack
Addressing a person who is good at cutting things down.
You don't watch your back
You're unaware of the danger behind you.
In fact I never want you to leave
You're so helpful that I want you to stay with me always.
My heart was falling and you didn't try to catch it
I was in love with someone, and you didn't even try to help me.
Behind your back and you were holding a hatchet
You did something sneaky by holding a hatchet behind your back.
Stop your talking and help me rake up leaves
Instead of talking, help me with something more important.
Poor little me
I'm feeling sorry for myself.
Poor poor poor so poor because of she
I'm struggling because of a woman in my life who caused all of my problems.
Carved her name into my living tree
She left her mark on my life and my heart.
Climbed up to the top so she could see
She used me and climbed to the top of the relationship to achieve her goals.
I had a heart attack
I experienced an emotionally traumatic event.
You made a cordwood stack
You used my emotional distress to your advantage.
Stacked up so high I can't see
You piled up my problems so high that they're overwhelming and hard to deal with.
My heart was broken and you kept on stakin'
I was heartbroken and you kept using my emotions against me.
Grab that ax and keep on wackin'
Keep on using me and manipulating my emotions.
Quit your splittin' and sweep up my debris
Stop using me and help me clean up the mess you caused.
Tied a mood swing on my loving tree
You deliberately affected my emotions and my mental health.
Way too heavy the branch is getting weak
My emotional health is deteriorating because of the burden you've placed on me.
I tried to swing and I skinned my little knee
I tried to deal with the situation on my own but got hurt in the process.
Pushing and shoving all around my loving tree
You're being aggressive and unkind in my personal space and environment.
You put on your kiss off boots
You're ready to leave and show no regrets for the damage you've caused.
Walked all over my deep emotional roots
You deliberately damaged my emotional foundation.
Poor little me (poor me)
I'm feeling victimized.
Poor little me (little me)
I'm feeling helpless and small.
Poor little me
I'm struggling with the weight of my problems.
Poor little me
I'm feeling sorry for myself.
Poor little me
I'm struggling with my emotional baggage.
Contributed by Kaitlyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MCSMeister
@Krant Gary They're pretty easy to find with a simple Google search:
My little lumberjack
You don't watch your back
In fact I never want you to leave
My heart was falling and you didn't try to catch it
Behind your back and you were holding a hatchet
Stop your talking and help me rake up leaves
Oh oh oh oh
Poor little me
Poor poor poor so poor because of she
Carved her name into my living tree
Climbed up to the top so she could see
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
I had a heart attack
You made a cordwood stack
Stacked up so high I can't see
My heart was broken and you kept on stakin'
Grab that ax and keep on wackin'
Quit your splittin' and sweep up my debris
Oh oh oh oh
Poor little me
Tied a mood swing on my loving tree
Way too heavy the branch is getting weak
I tried to swing and I skinned my little knee
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
Pushing and shoving all around my loving tree
You put on your kiss off boots
Walked all over my deep emotional roots
Poor little me (poor me)
Poor little me (little me)
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
Poor little me
Erik Parton
Needs more 2 string, 1 string, and no string guitars. Maybe cowbell.
Smo1k
Needs less inside. Mebbe take it to the back porch?
Ryan Bell
"I have a fever...and the cure is more cowbell!"
Jason Cornish
How does this only have 64K views and 631 likes?!!! I weep for the state of music today when they do not recognize an awesome song
No more Comply
@Gajeel Redfox says the dumbass kid with anime shit all on their page. Probably listens to the roundabout because it was in some anime
Gajeel Redfox
Jason Cornish this us trash , you dipshit
jeff
I've seen them in Seattle for the past 4 years,simply AMAZING!
darlek funk
i was give your guys self titled album for my 7th birthday . you guys have shaped my humour and music awesomeness since . i love you guys and always will
Tarrute
Ur mom lmao
SuperPhil64
I can't wait! This track has been on constant replay since you guys released it. : 3