The band released three albums, "America's Least Wanted" (1992), "Menace to Sobriety" (1995) and "Motel California" (1996) before disbanding in 1997.
The band reunited in the summer of 2010, performing at several festivals throughout 2010 and 2011. The band preformed at the 2012 Download Festival.
They have a new record called "Stairway to Hell" released on April 16, 2013. Ugly Kid Joe started a joint co-headlining European tour with Skid Row in October 2013 kicking off the tour in Southampton, UK.
In February 2015, Ugly Kid Joe successfully used pledgemusic.com in a crowdfunding effort to pay for the recording of their next album, to be titled 'Uglier Than They Used ta Be', is the first full-length studio album since they break-up after the album was completed in nearly 19 years,
As of July 2021, Ugly Kid Joe is working on their follow-up to Uglier Than They Used ta Be for a planned 2022 release.
Their official website is http://www.uglykidjoe.net
Neighbor
Ugly Kid Joe Lyrics
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Suburban life, a pretty wife, you think you've got it made
But you don't know, what's in store, for you and your family
I'm movin' in, right next door, won't you welcome me?
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
And I hope I didn't ruin your day
Won't you be my neighbor?
My kid's a punk, and I'm a drunk, this I'm sure you'll see
Yeah you don't know, what it's like, to live in misery
Welcome to, home sweet hell, dissatisfaction guaranteed
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
And if I could I surely would
Invite you in and say
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you be my neighbor?
C'mon I don't think you'll find
A place to live in peace of mind
You're gonna live in misery
When you're livin' next to me
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
Won't you be my, won't you be my fuckin' neighbor?
Well I drink, and I stink, I smoke, yeah I'm a joke
I try all night and day to get a piece of the action, a-haa
And you should know by now you're never gonna forget, a-aaa
Now I know just what you're thinkin'
It could be out 'n' you're drinkin'
So don't you knock it until you try it
It could be you in a little while
I hope I didn't ruin your day
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
And I dig your wife, she sure is good
It's a beautiful day in the neighboorhood
In Ugly Kid Joe's "Neighbor," the lyrics explore the tensions that can arise between suburban neighbors with different lifestyles. The singer is moving into the neighborhood and sarcastically asks if the "perfect" neighbor will welcome him and his messy family. He describes his wife as ugly and dirty and his kid as a punk, highlighting the fact that they are not the typical suburban family. Despite this, the singer suggests that the neighbor should give him a chance and not judge him based on stereotypes.
The opening two lines of the song, "Sittin' in your front yard, drinkin' lemonade/Suburban life, a pretty wife, you think you've got it made," introduce the theme of envy and the pressure to conform to societal norms. The singer's cynicism is palpable as he sarcastically praises the neighbor's "pretty wife" and suburban lifestyle, suggesting that this façade is merely a cover-up for deeper issues.
The second verse, "Well I drink, and I stink, I smoke, yeah I'm a joke/I try all night and day to get a piece of the action, a-haa," illustrates the singer's non-conformity and desire to live life on his terms. He acknowledges that his lifestyle may not appeal to his neighbors, but asserts that it is an authentic expression of who he is. The chorus, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood/Won't you be my neighbor?" is a repeated plea for acceptance and understanding.
Overall, "Neighbor" is a unique take on the suburban life and the expectations of conformity. It portrays the struggles of non-conformists and the stereotyping of people based on their appearance or lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' in your front yard, drinkin' lemonade
Observing your suburban life from a distance, I see you enjoying a refreshing drink in the front yard, seemingly content with your life.
Suburban life, a pretty wife, you think you've got it made
You live a comfortable, suburban life with an attractive wife and seem to have everything you need.
But you don't know, what's in store, for you and your family
However, you are not aware of what the future holds for you and your family.
I'm movin' in, right next door, won't you welcome me?
I am moving in next door to you soon and would appreciate a friendly welcome from you.
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
The day is bright and sunny in the neighborhood.
And I hope I didn't ruin your day
I sincerely hope that my move didn't ruin your day.
Won't you be my neighbor?
As your new neighbor, I would appreciate the opportunity to get to know you and be friendly.
I brought my life, my ugly wife, my dirty dog with fleas
I have my own life, a not-so-attractive wife, and a dirty dog with fleas.
My kid's a punk, and I'm a drunk, this I'm sure you'll see
My child is disrespectful and I struggle with alcohol addiction, something that is sure to be seen.
Yeah you don't know, what it's like, to live in misery
You fail to understand the challenges that come with living in misery.
Welcome to, home sweet hell, dissatisfaction guaranteed
Prepare to experience dissatisfaction and unhappiness, as this is what life will be like next door.
C'mon I don't think you'll find
I doubt that you will be able to find
A place to live in peace of mind
A peaceful place to live.
You're gonna live in misery
Instead, you will be living in constant misery.
When you're livin' next to me
All of this because you'll be living right next to me.
Won't you be my, won't you be my fuckin' neighbor?
Could you please be my neighbor and tolerate everything that comes with me and my family?
Well I drink, and I stink, I smoke, yeah I'm a joke
I drink excessively and smell bad, and I also smoke - all of which are not admirable qualities.
I try all night and day to get a piece of the action, a-haa
I spend most of my time trying to find opportunities to have fun and entertain myself.
And you should know by now you're never gonna forget, a-aaa
My personality is such that once you know me, you will never forget me.
Now I know just what you're thinkin'
I can already know what you might be thinking.
It could be out 'n' you're drinkin'
Perhaps you might imagine yourself taking my place and experiencing my life instead.
So don't you knock it until you try it
Only after experiencing what I go through, you will be able to judge and understand it.
It could be you in a little while
One day, you may even find yourself in a similar situation.
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
Despite my shortcomings, it's still a lovely day outside.
And I dig your wife, she sure is good
Also, I must say I find your wife attractive.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KLAUS EICHSTADT, WHITFIELD CRANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind