Early in their career, these recordings (all on the Not Lame label) became critic's favorites, and the band toured Europe and the UK, where they caught the attention of Paul Weller, who met them when the Shazam and members of The Move performed together on an early version of the Live From Abbey Road program. The Shazam together with Carl Wayne and Bev Bevan performed "I Can Hear the Grass Grow" for BBC Radio live with Wayne and Shazam frontman Rotenberry alternating vocals. Later, The Shazam opened for Paul Weller at Earl's Court at Weller's personal invitation.
In 2002, Steven van Zandt, a founding member (together with Bruce Springsteen) of the E Street Band launched his own radio show, Little Steven's Underground Garage. He quickly warmed to and championed The Shazam, embracing their song, "On the Airwaves" as not only one of "The Coolest Song(s) in the World," but frequently as the opening song to his broadcast. The band performed before 16,000+ people at the 2004 Underground Garage Festival in NYC.
Since 1999, The Shazam trio has been augmented by a second guitar player, with guitar tech Jeremy Asbrock joining them onstage and eventually as a permanent band member. Original bassist Mick Wilson left the band in the mid-2000s. Bassist Mike Vargo is the newest member of the band, and "Meteor," the Shazam's 5th album marks the first recording to feature both Vargo and Asbrock.
The Shazam's 5th album, "Meteor" was produced by Mack. Mack was the producer and/or engineer of many of the bands and records that influenced the Shazam - Queen, ELO, etc. "Meteor" was released August, 2009.
The band's discography (all on Not Lame)
The Shazam
Godspeed The Shazam
Rev9
Tomorrow The World
Meteor
The Not Quite Right Kid
The Shazam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the Not-Quite-Right Kid,
My momma dressed me funny and my glasses are broke.
And the not-quite-bright kids
Mmmmm, never leave me alone.
Here I stand, divided,
Uncool and undecided
Landslide votes "Not Likely To Succeed."
I won't amount to anything.
Hold my hand and you'll understand what I mean.
I'm the uptight, troubled and Not-Quite-Right Kid,
Nobody laughs at my jokes.
And the loose-lipped, forthright, not-my-type chicks
Oh, won't even throw me a bone.
Among the best and brightest,
You know I don't much like it,
Invite me just to spite me, I won't go.
I'm gonna jump this fool ship,
Don't tell me this is as good as it gets.
This smokestack town won't hold me down no more.
You old, misshapen crone,
Oh, leave me alone,
You always say I won't change, no.
"Nobody likes a smart ass!"
"I'd rather be a smart ass than a dumb ass!"
"You'll never amount to a hill of beans!"
"Oh, yeah? Tell me, teacher: what did YOU want to be?"
I'm the up-all-night kid,
Don't know how to get it but I know what I want,
And when I die like God did,
Mmmmm, I won't miss it at all.
I'm the poor white, uppity, Not-Quite-Right Kid,
Raised on nothin' but meat.
The Not-Quite-Right Kid,
Mmmmm, what'll happen to me...?
The Shazam's song "The Not Quite Right Kid" is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt like an outcast or misunderstood. The song is written from the perspective of someone who has always felt like they don't quite fit in, starting from childhood when they were dressed differently and had broken glasses. The lyrics express the feeling of being left out, with the not-quite-bright kids never leaving them alone and the not-my-type chicks not giving them a chance.
Despite feeling like an outcast, the singer remains determined and resilient, refusing to let others define their worth. Although they are often excluded, they have a strong sense of purpose and know what they want in life. They acknowledge that they may not fit in with the best and brightest, but they still have dreams and aspirations, and they are not afraid to chase them.
The song also touches on themes of self-acceptance and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The singer is the Not-Quite-Right Kid, but they are proud of who they are and refuse to change to fit in with others. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace their quirks and imperfections, and to be true to themselves no matter what others may think.
Overall, "The Not Quite Right Kid" is a powerful and uplifting song that celebrates individuality and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody likes a smart ass!
People don't appreciate someone who is overly clever or sarcastic.
I'm the Not-Quite-Right Kid,
I'm different from the norm or what's considered 'normal.'
My momma dressed me funny and my glasses are broke.
My appearance is unconventional or odd due to my mother's choice in clothing for me and my broken glasses.
And the not-quite-bright kids
The other kids who are seen as not being intelligent or academically gifted.
Mmmmm, never leave me alone.
They always single me out and don't leave me alone, despite not being as smart as me.
Here I stand, divided,
I feel torn between two worlds, where I don't fit in with either one.
Uncool and undecided
I'm not popular or considered 'cool,' and I'm not sure where I fit in or what I want to do with my life.
Landslide votes "Not Likely To Succeed."
I'm seen as unlikely to succeed in life, based on others' perceptions and opinions of me.
I didn't make the ball team,
I wasn't good enough to make the sports team, which is seen as a success and validation of one's skills and popularity.
I won't amount to anything.
People believe that I won't be successful or accomplish anything meaningful in my life, which affects my self-esteem and motivation.
Hold my hand and you'll understand what I mean.
If you experience what I go through and see the world from my perspective, you'll understand how difficult it is being me.
I'm the uptight, troubled and Not-Quite-Right Kid,
I'm someone who is anxious, troubled, and doesn't fit in due to my differences and struggles.
Nobody laughs at my jokes.
Despite trying to be funny, I'm not successful at making others laugh or feel good.
And the loose-lipped, forthright, not-my-type chicks
The outgoing, outspoken girls who aren't attracted to me or don't fit my idea of a perfect match.
Oh, won't even throw me a bone.
They don't give me a chance or show me any attention or kindness, making me feel invisible and unimportant.
Among the best and brightest,
I'm surrounded by people who are considered the most intelligent and talented.
You know I don't much like it,
I'm not happy or comfortable being in this environment.
Invite me just to spite me, I won't go.
People invite me to events or gatherings out of spite or to make fun of me, but I won't attend or give them the satisfaction of seeing me there.
I'm gonna jump this fool ship,
I'm going to leave this place or situation that makes me feel trapped or uncomfortable.
Don't tell me this is as good as it gets.
I don't believe that my current situation or life is the best that I can hope for, and I'm determined to make things better for myself.
This smokestack town won't hold me down no more.
This place where I live and grew up won't keep me from achieving my goals or living the life I want to live.
You old, misshapen crone,
You, who are old and unattractive, and don't understand me or appreciate my talents.
Oh, leave me alone,
Stop bothering me or trying to change me when you don't understand who I am or what I'm going through.
You always say I won't change, no.
You don't believe that I'm capable of changing or improving my life, which discourages me and makes me feel hopeless.
"I'd rather be a smart ass than a dumb ass!"
I'd rather be intelligent and clever than ignorant or foolish, even if it means people don't like me or appreciate my wit.
"You'll never amount to a hill of beans!"
You don't believe that I'll ever be successful or accomplish anything, which is a hurtful and discouraging thing to say to someone.
"Oh, yeah? Tell me, teacher: what did YOU want to be?"
I challenge you to tell me about your own aspirations and dreams and how you achieved them, rather than just putting me down and criticizing my potential.
I'm the up-all-night kid,
I have trouble sleeping and staying calm, which affects my mood and energy levels.
Don't know how to get it but I know what I want,
I have a clear idea of what I want in life, even if I don't know how to achieve it or where to start.
And when I die like God did,
When I eventually die or pass away, I don't want to suffer or feel any pain, like how God is seen to be without any suffering or hardship.
Mmmmm, I won't miss it at all.
I won't miss life or any of the hardships that come with it when I eventually pass away, as I anticipate finding peace and relief from my troubles.
I'm the poor white, uppity, Not-Quite-Right Kid,
I'm from a lower socioeconomic class and don't fit in with the more affluent or sophisticated crowd, despite my intelligence and abilities.
Raised on nothin' but meat.
I grew up in a family or environment where we could only afford meat as a source of nutrition or sustenance, which is a sign of our financial struggles.
The Not-Quite-Right Kid,
I'm still the same person who struggles with being different and unaccepted by others, which affects my sense of self and belonging.
Mmmmm, what'll happen to me...?
I'm unsure about what the future holds for me, especially since I feel stuck and unfulfilled in my current situation.
Writer(s): Hans Rotenberry
Contributed by Madelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.