After signing with Epic Records, they released debut album No Pleasantries, produced by Rick Parashar, in 2000. The albums lead singles, "Godless" and "Feel Alive", charted at numbers 5 and 25 respectively on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts. After touring extensively with the likes of Linkin Park, Slipknot, Nickelback, Godsmack and 3 Doors Down, the group went on hiatus in 2002. During that time, Albro, along with other singers, auditioned to become the singer for Velvet Revolver.
In 2004, the group returned, releasing The Heavy, produced by Rick Parashar, on Nitrus Records. Lineup changes followed with both Shirley and Holt departed the group, replaced by bassist Zoltan Bathory and drummer Philippe Mathys while Logan (Deadly Motor Vehicles) was added as the group's second guitarist. During a show, guitarist Weber suffered a seizure and was later diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor. The group briefly performed without Weber before eventually going on another hiatus.
In 2005, Bathory left the group to form the successful metal group Five Finger Death Punch while Mathys is currently the drummer for Hydrovibe.
Free
U.P.O. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now they on the wave they keep ringin' my cell
But pay me like you weigh me I might bring in a scale
'Cause I need all that word to Keenan and Kel
Give me me, gotta give me me
If you're paying cash you're the real MVP
I keep workers on staff please respect this entity
I could put you blast, trying to steal this energy
I told 'em my time is precious, they actin' like Monique
I'm a thinker, by design, for that check like I'm Tinker
Ain't no gettin' over on me even if you use your blinker uh
Made something outta nothing, let me testify (Bless up)
All this internet thuggin' gotta get rectified
I'll be the one frontin' if I just letcha slide
Y'all really be buggin', I keep some pesticides
Getcha money, stack it up and mind your business
Time is money, gotta watch out how you spend it
If I quote a price to you, please don't get offended
Done with paying back dues, now I need 'em back with interest
No more free sauce (Free sauce) drippin' while I'm whippin' (Whip, whip)
Don't let me catch you dippin' yeah
No more free sauce (Free sauce) drippin' while I'm whippin' (Whip, whip)
Don't let me catch you dippin' yeah, yeah no more
Once you take a loss, I swear it'll never be the same
Tried to use the bands for band-aids but they never ease the pain
So it ain't my fault if you start to see a change
Back to drippin' sauce, I know it's bound to leave a stain
A lot of people claim that they made they self
Gave 'em free game but they played they self
Why would you even risk it, you know that cycle's vicious
Play your position, or take an L like you're Bishop (Whoa)
Put myself in check and the I ran it up
Taking all bets and then I ante up
All we want's respect, we ain't demanding much
but once we start to flex, you can't stand with us
Made something outta nothing, let me testify (Bless up)
All this internet thuggin' gotta get rectified
I'll be the one frontin' if I just letcha slide
Y'all really be buggin', I keep some pesticides
Getcha money, stack it up and mind your business
Time is money, gotta watch out how you spend it
If I quote a price to you, please don't get offended
Done with paying back dues, now I need 'em back with interest
No more free sauce (Free sauce) drippin' while I'm whippin' (Whip, whip)
Don't let me catch you dippin' yeah
No more free sauce (Free sauce) drippin' while I'm whippin' (Whip, whip)
Don't let me catch you dippin' yeah, yeah no more
The lyrics of U.P.O.'s song "Free" are about owning and valuing oneself in the music industry. The artist asserts that they are now getting paid for being true to themselves, and that their worth deserves recognition through fair compensation. The artist refuses to tolerate anyone trying to take advantage of them or steal their energy, as they have worked hard to create something out of nothing. They also urge others to focus on stacking their own money and minding their own business instead of relying on free handouts. The chorus warns against anyone trying to take advantage of the artist, as they will no longer allow themselves to be taken advantage of.
The lyrics also make references to pop culture, such as Keenan and Kel and Monique, and use wordplay to express the artist's confidence and business savvy. They also touch on the negative effects of trying to use material possessions to cover up personal pain, and warn against the temptation to put oneself in a cycle of destruction.
Overall, the lyrics of "Free" express the importance of self-worth and getting paid what one deserves, while also acknowledging the difficulties and pitfalls of the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Really gettin' paid just for being myself
I am now getting paid for simply being authentic to myself
Now they on the wave they keep ringin' my cell
People are now interested in me and keep calling me
But pay me like you weigh me I might bring in a scale
Pay me what I'm worth, or I might have to show you exactly how valuable I am
'Cause I need all that word to Keenan and Kel
I need all the money I can get, just like Keenan and Kel needed all the orange soda they could drink
Give me me, gotta give me me
You have to let me be myself and give me what I deserve
If you're paying cash you're the real MVP
If you pay me in cash, you are showing me the ultimate respect
I keep workers on staff please respect this entity
I run a business with employees and need to be respected as such
I could put you blast, trying to steal this energy
I could expose you for trying to steal my ideas and creativity
Your attempts are so weak, still standing on both feet
Your attempts to bring me down are feeble, but I still manage to stand strong
I told 'em my time is precious, they actin' like Monique
I informed them that my time is valuable, but they acted like Monique when she complained about being underpaid
I'm a thinker, by design, for that check like I'm Tinker
My creativity and strategic mindset are my strengths, just like Tinker Bell's magical abilities
Ain't no gettin' over on me even if you use your blinker uh
You won't be able to trick or deceive me, even if you try to signal your intentions
Made something outta nothing, let me testify (Bless up)
I turned a difficult situation into something positive and want to share my success story
All this internet thuggin' gotta get rectified
People need to stop acting tough online and be held accountable for their actions
I'll be the one frontin' if I just letcha slide
If I let you get away with something, it will reflect poorly on me
Y'all really be buggin', I keep some pesticides
People really bother me, so I have to keep defenses up to protect myself
Getcha money, stack it up and mind your business
Focus on making money and saving it, and avoid getting involved in drama
Time is money, gotta watch out how you spend it
Time is valuable, so be careful how you use it
If I quote a price to you, please don't get offended
If I ask for a certain amount of money, don't be insulted or try to negotiate it down
Done with paying back dues, now I need 'em back with interest
I am done struggling and now expect to be fully compensated, and even paid extra for my hard work
No more free sauce (Free sauce) drippin' while I'm whippin' (Whip, whip)
I am no longer providing my services for free while I work hard
Don't let me catch you dippin' yeah
Don't let me catch you trying to take advantage of me
Once you take a loss, I swear it'll never be the same
If you make a mistake or fail, it will have consequences and things will be different from then on
Tried to use the bands for band-aids but they never ease the pain
Trying to use money to cover up problems does not solve them or make them go away
So it ain't my fault if you start to see a change
If your actions cause negative consequences, it is not my responsibility or fault
Back to drippin' sauce, I know it's bound to leave a stain
I am back to providing my services, but I know there will be lasting impacts of my hard work
A lot of people claim that they made they self
Many people say they achieved success on their own
Gave 'em free game but they played they self
I gave them advice and tips, but they did not listen and messed up on their own
Why would you even risk it, you know that cycle's vicious
Why would you even try to take shortcuts or cheat the system, when it will only lead to problems in the future
Play your position, or take an L like you're Bishop (Whoa)
Stay in your lane and do what you are supposed to do, otherwise you will lose like Bishop in the movie 'Juice'
Put myself in check and the I ran it up
I made sure to check myself and my actions, and then achieved great success
Taking all bets and then I ante up
I am willing to take risks and put in money to achieve even greater success
All we want's respect, we ain't demanding much
All we ask for is to be respected, which is not too much to ask for
but once we start to flex, you can't stand with us
Once we start to show off our achievements, you won't be able to keep up with us or be on our level
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Gonuikerwon Duo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Professor Taboo
Could listen to this repeatedly all day and night!!! Effin GREAT SONG and BAND!!! Miss their energy.
Professor Taboo
@Dominae Superium - Exactly! 😁
Dominae Superium
How could anyone play this song too much.... Professor?
rjeso
i remember being obsessed by the didgeridoo on this track. i really wanted the rest of their stuff to have the same vibe, because this song was perfect.
Darknight
So underrated! Recently discovered them, it reminds me of Ra, with some tastes of Korn in it... I'm a fan!
Alouitious
I had this album when I was a freshman in high school and I used to listen to it every single day on the bus on the way to and from. I liked it that much. So much, in fact, that when I let a friend borrow it and he "couldn't find it" to give it back to me, I went out and bought a second copy. xD
XXSLEEPINGDEADWOLFXX x
lol
Down By The Lake House
I spent the last 2 years trying to remember this song and the bands name. [exhale] :-D
Dominae Superium
I forgot as well. Then I started doubting the existence of God. Godless instantly popped into my head, and 30 seconds later I was listening to Godless
Nick Holmes
Same. but now in 2020.