They were formed by Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael in 1976, their debut single was "Dance And Shake Your Tambourine" which featured Gregory Tolbert on Keys. They reformed the band in 1982 for 'Barely Breaking Even'.
Barely Breaking Even
The Universal Robot Band Lyrics
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Now I....
Just got my paycheck and I'm on my way home...
Between the rent and phone bill... it's nearly gone... but I...
Try to make ends meet that just... don't wanna meet...
I can't complain but somewhere... I'm gettin' beat... now
Every single weekend....
I never know where the money goes
Still I'm always givin'... and I'm...
Just barely breakin' even....
I've got to get some for myself...
Just breakin' even steven
I've got to get some for myself...
Well....
I'm not a pauper and I... work everyday
Somehow the cash flow seems to drift all away
But I... just try to make it into... another day....
Long as the Lord is with me, I'll find a way... now...
Maybe it's recession.... or the stocks that rise and tumble
Still, there is the question...
Of the bills I pay... that'll always stay
'Til I'm down and under... and I'm......
Just barely breakin' even....
I've got to get some for myself...
Just breakin' even steven
I've got to get some for myself...
I just try to make it ev'ryday... long as God is with me, I'll find a way
(I got to get some for myself)
I just try to make ends meet... somewhere... somehow... I'm gettin' beat...
(I got to get some for myself)
Now, I'm not a pauper and I work every day.. somehow my cash seems to drift away...
(I got to get some for myself)
I don't know what I'm gonna do... somehow, I'll make it through....now...
Maybe it's the system... maybe it's the cost of livin'...
Every single weekend...
I never know where the money goes... I never know where the money goes
I never know where the money goes
Still I'm always givin'... and I'm...
Just barely breakin' even...
I've got to get some for myself...
Just breakin' even steven
I've got to get some for myself...
(repeat 2x)
I'm breaking... barely breakin' even. Yeah...
I'm just barely breakin' even. Can make it..
What am I gonna do?
Somebody gotta help me...
Maybe it's the system...or the cost of livin'.
I still don't know where the money goes...
Barely breakin' even.
The Universal Robot Band’s song “Barely Breaking Even” is a tale of financial struggle and the frustration of constantly living paycheck to paycheck. The lyrics convey a feeling of helplessness as the singer tries to make ends meet but just can't seem to get ahead. He questions whether it's the system or the cost of living that is causing his financial struggles. The chorus, “Just barely breakin' even, I've got to get some for myself,” reflects the idea of wanting to break free from this cycle and find a way to improve his financial situation, but the odds seem to be stacked against him. The song ends with the singer still uncertain of how to make ends meet, but determined to keep pushing forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I.... Just got my paycheck and I'm on my way home...
I have received my payment and I am heading home.
Between the rent and phone bill... it's nearly gone... but I...
My salary is almost spent, after paying for my rent and phone bill.
Try to make ends meet that just... don't wanna meet...
I am struggling to make both ends meet, even though they never actually meet.
I can't complain but somewhere... I'm gettin' beat... now
Though I have no reason to complain, I still feel like I am being taken advantage of.
Maybe it's the system... maybe it's the cost of livin'...
There might be something wrong with the current operational procedures or it could be the high cost of living.
Every single weekend....I never know where the money goes
I always end up spending my payment every weekend, without any idea of where it all goes.
Still I'm always givin'... and I'm...
I keep sharing whatever I have, despite being in this difficult financial situation.
Just barely breakin' even....I've got to get some for myself...
I am just about able to pay for my expenses, but I need to earn more for my own good.
Just breakin' even steven...I've got to get some for myself...
I am only able to afford my expenses, but I need additional income for my well-being.
Well....I'm not a pauper and I... work everyday
I am not a destitute and I work diligently every weekday.
Somehow the cash flow seems to drift all away
Despite working hard, my earnings evaporate too quickly.
Just try to make it into... another day....
I am doing my best to just get through another day.
Long as the Lord is with me, I'll find a way... now...
I am confident that I will be able to cope as long as the divine power is with me.
Maybe it's recession....or the stocks that rise and tumble
The economic downturn or volatile stocks could be to blame for my financial difficulties.
Still, there is the question...
Despite these reasons, there is still a nagging question.
Of the bills I pay... that'll always stay...
The bills that I have to pay will always be there to ensure my troubles do not vanish.
'Til I'm down and under...and I'm......
I'll keep struggling and facing financial challenges until I am out of resources.
I just try to make it ev'ryday... long as God is with me, I'll find a way
I strive to handle every day as it comes and believe that with God's help, I can make things work.
Somehow, I'll make it through....now...
I trust that I will find a way to overcome these difficulties eventually.
Barely breakin' even...
I am barely surviving with the little I have.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JAMES CALLOWAY, LEROY BURGESS, SONNY T. DAVENPORT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Desafinado10
Is there anyone who can post lyrics here?
I want to learn all lyrics sung by Mr. LB (Leroy Burgess)!
Finally I've found it! This is from "redbull academy interview pt. 3 " You'd better check it out!
Well, well, well
Just got my paycheck, I’m on my way home,
the […] on it, is nearly gone,
but I try to make every catch, just don’t wanna meet,
I can’t complain, but somewhere I’m getting’ beat,
now maybe it’s the system, maybe it’s the cost of livin’, but every single weekend,
I never know where the money goes, still I’m always givin’,
just barely breakin’ even, I got to get some for myself,
just breakin’ even schemin’, I got to get some for myself.
I’m not a poor boy and I work everyday,
somehow my cash flow slipped all away,
but I just try to make it into another day and
as long as the lord is with me, I find a way,
maybe it’s recession or the stocks that rise and tumble, still there is the question
of the bills I pay, that are always stay…..till I’m down and under and
I’m just barely breaking even. I got to get some for myself,
just breakin’ even schemin’, I got to get some for myself.
@donovanmcgrath3122
I was introduced to the music and extraordinary voice of Leroy Burgess by my dear friend, the late great DJ Dez Parkes. When he discovered the Logg album he couldn't wait for me to hear it. I've been hooked on it ever since. This song featuring Burgess in the Universal Robot Band is an incredible dance floor filler and is definitive of the dance music loved by the renowned dancers of the London club scene in the 1970s and early 80s. Dez and Leroy Burgess became very good friends.
@errolbaptiste
Brilliant soul classic song of 1982 which I remembered as a young 18-years old.
@differentdrummer6162
So glad to have this on the Mastercuts Rare Groove Volume 2 CD. The car speakers were kicking this out on the way to the office today 🙂
@heruapocalypse2021
Ole Leroy sure knows how to make Groovy Nostalgia type Songs.And I absolutely 💯 love it.😎👍🏾 long live The late 70's and early 80's.
@lucylucian730
I remember freaking out on the dance floor to this. Big time 😅💃🏿
@islandtimesdeejay
Was intended to be the seventh track on the Logg album. Greg Carmichael asked Salsoul for more money but when they refused, he stole the tapes and got it released on Moonglow Records. It was only distributed in the UK so that Salsoul wouldn't find out. Fascinating story from Leroy Burgess!
@mariopenati9489
thats quite smart ahah
@paulrouhan7288
So he rarely was barely breaking even on this.....
@wesleywayne303
Always wondered the back story on it, Thanks for sharing & I can totally hear it. Salsoul fucked it up, should've been lead or 2nd single. Finally tracked down a OG of this stellar 12 from England or Germany about 6 years ago. I'm a younger Leroy & Boogie fan, having not lived it. Found LOGG lp in NYC in 2001 then found Convertion/Aleems 12's after tracking down/buying anything w/ his name on it. Been a fan 20 years though, this song is life. BBE recent remixes by Louie Vega are cool, check those out too.
@heruapocalypse2021
Wow! It's always these little known facts in Music History.