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.
headin out
The Presidents of the United States of America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where I've never been
I've been thinking about finding out
How to find the end
And I've been thinking about freaking out
If I can just find the time
And these ideas are leaking out
Now I'm thinking about sneaking out
With nowhere to go
I'm considering dropping out
Stepping out of the flow
Off all these radar scopes
To a place far below
And I'm finally finding out
How to lighten my load
I'm considering dropping out
I've been thinking about crawling out
From underneath
I've been thinking about heading out
Turn my back and leave
I would hit an ocean or a coast
And that would be
I would hit an ocean or a coast
And that would be the end of me
Thinking about heading out
Thinking about heading out
Thinking about heading out
Thinking about heading out
Out, out, out
The lyrics to “Headin’ Out” by The Presidents of the United States of America express the singer's desire for freedom and exploration. The opening line “I’ve been thinking about heading out where I’ve never been” highlights the singer’s desire to explore the unknown. He wants to find out what lies beyond his comfort zone and experience what life has to offer. This is further emphasized in the second line “I’ve been thinking about finding out how to find the end”. Here the “end” might signify the limits and boundaries that the singer has been confined to and his desire to break free from them.
The singer then talks about his thoughts, which are “leaking out” and he wants his mind to be put on hold. He wants to escape the humdrum of daily life and find a new purpose. The singer even talks about “sneaking out” implying that he doesn't want anyone to know where he's going, he wants to slip out unnoticed. The idea of “dropping out” suggests he wants to leave everything behind and start afresh. The singer desires to “find a place far below” indicating the need to discover a place that's not crowded or busy.
The lyrics are fun, catchy, and convey a message that is relatable to many. The desire to escape and explore is a universal feeling. The song encourages listeners to chase their dreams, to go out into the world, and not to worry about conforming to societal norms. The music is lively, with a simple riff and a great chorus. It’s a song to pump you up and encourage you to take risks and sow your wild oats.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been thinking about heading out
I'm considering leaving my current place and exploring an unknown territory.
Where I've never been
I want to discover new and unexplored places that I have never visited before.
I've been thinking about finding out
I am curious about discovering something new and learning about it.
How to find the end
I'm trying to discover where a journey would end before it even starts.
And I've been thinking about freaking out
I'm considering panicking because of the fear of not being able to accomplish what I want.
If I can just find the time
I need some free time to relax and figure out my thoughts.
And these ideas are leaking out
My ideas are starting to come out and become obvious.
So put a plug in my mind
I need to stop the thoughts that are emerging and distracting me from other important things.
Now I'm thinking about sneaking out
I am contemplating sneaking out without being noticed and/or stopped.
With nowhere to go
I am running away without any specific destination in mind.
I'm considering dropping out
I'm thinking of abandoning the normal way of life and making my own rules.
Stepping out of the flow
I'm considering getting out of the routine and doing something different.
Off all these radar scopes
I am planning to leave unnoticed, without being detected or noticed by anyone.
To a place far below
I am planning to go to a place that is lower in altitude and possibly less well-known or explored.
And I'm finally finding out
I'm discovering something that was once unknown to me.
How to lighten my load
I'm finding ways to reduce the burden that is weighing me down.
I've been thinking about crawling out
I'm considering leaving a difficult and uncomfortable situation behind.
From underneath
I'm getting out from under a difficult or oppressive situation.
Turn my back and leave
I plan to walk away from something or someone that I no longer want to be connected or associated with.
I would hit an ocean or a coast
If I do decide to leave, it may eventually result in hitting an ocean or a coast.
And that would be
That's simply how it would be.
The end of me
It would be the end of the previous version of myself or an old part of my life.
Thinking about heading out
I am constantly thinking about leaving my current situation behind and exploring something new.
Out, out, out
I'm expressing my strong desire to leave and escape something that's bothering me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER WELDON BALLEW, DAVID MICHAEL DEDERER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Beer History Podcast
This was my #1 song from my Spotify Wrapped last year. So good!
Rob Smith
This is the dark side of the same train of thought that sent you guys to the country in search of peaches isn't it?
kwijung
Ice cream for my ear holes
purplecow666
A long time ago in 2001 my parents took us on a trip over the Atlantic to New York. I'd never seen so tall buildings before and I was wearing a trench coat because it was that point in a teenager's life. I found a huge, massive record store somewhere maybe close to Time's Square and from there I bought this album. Had to wait until we flew home to listen to it. It was good. All my photos were ruined because the film got too much light.