Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) is a New Zealand psychedelic rock band forme… Read Full Bio ↴Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) is a New Zealand psychedelic rock band formed in Auckland and currently based in Portland, Oregon, USA. Primarily composed of singer, guitarist, and songwriter Ruban Nielson, and bassist Jacob Portrait, the band was started by Nielson in 2010. The band's debut album was released in 2011 on Fat Possum Records. In November 2013, the band's second album, II, won Best Alternative Album at the New Zealand Music Awards.

In late 2010 the band's bandcamp account featured their single ‘Ffunny Ffrends’, a sort of alien beatnik pop music that echoed 60s psychedelia and krautrock minimalism with just a hint of gentle weirdness that suggested its roots might equally lie in the verdant indie of the equally distant New Zealand scene.

Ruban Nielson is a New Zealand native who transplanted to Portland, Oregon, USA with his band The Mint Chicks. UMO was a project conceived as Ruban’s escape hatch to a new musical dimension where his vision of junkshop record collector pop could be realised in a sound that recalled Captain Beefheart, Sly Stone and RZA jamming on some kids TV theme too dark to ever be broadcast.

The eponymous UMO debut album was released in 2011 on Fat Possum Records, followed by II (2013), Multi-Love (2015), Sex & Food (2018), IC-01 Hanoi (2018) and V (2023).

Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays
Unknown Mortal Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain or nothing
Did you hear that sound?
Silence
Kinda jumpy now
Backwards despite this feeling

Backwards despite this feeling

I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain or nothing
Did you hear that sound?
Mayday
Gonna chop it down
Forward despite this feeling
Forward despite this feeling

Everyone acts crazy nowadays
Everyone acts crazy now
But have taken all kinds of shit
Taken all kinds of shit
Everyone acts crazy nowadays
I said, everyone acts crazy now
But have taken all kinds of shit
Taken all kinds of shit

I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain or nothing
Did you hear that sound?
Mayday
Gonna chop it down
Forward despite this feeling
Forward despite this feeling

Everyone acts crazy nowadays
Everyone acts crazy now
But have taken all kinds of shit
Taken all kinds of shit
Everyone acts crazy nowadays
Everyone acts crazy now

But have taken all kinds of shit
Taken all kinds of shit

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Unknown Mortal Orchestra's song "Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays" capture a sense of uncertainty and impatience that many people feel in today's world. The first verse expresses the feeling of being caught beyond one's control, with a sense that life may not extend far beyond the present moment. The metaphor of "growing in a vicious garden" suggests that one is growing despite difficult circumstances in the world around them, without complaint. The sudden silence and jumpiness that follows may represent a sense of unease, as if some danger is lingering nearby. The line "Backwards despite this feeling" expresses the sense that even when one is facing fear, there is still a drive to move forward.

The second verse continues with similar themes of being caught in a difficult situation, but this time the singer is resolved to move forward despite the adversity. The sense of urgency and danger is heightened with the use of the term "mayday," which typically signals an emergency situation. The determination to "chop it down" suggests a desire to cut through whatever is causing an obstacle and move forward. The repeated refrain of "Everyone acts crazy nowadays" captures a sense of frustration with the world and the people in it, but the phrase "Taken all kinds of shit" suggests that there is a recognition that everyone has their own struggles and difficulties to face.

Overall, the lyrics to "Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays" capture a sense of uncertainty, urgency, and resilience in the face of difficult circumstances.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm trapped in a state of mind where I feel like I won't live a long life.

We're growing in a vicious garden
We are living in a rough world, full of obstacles and challenges.

We don't complain or nothing
We don't speak up or voice our concerns about the world we live in.

Did you hear that sound?
Have you noticed anything strange happening around us?

Mayday
There's an emergency situation that requires our attention.

Gonna chop it down
We need to take action to stop the problem and eliminate it.

Forward despite this feeling
Even though I feel trapped and hopeless, I will keep moving forward.

Everyone acts crazy nowadays
People are behaving erratically and oddly these days.

But have taken all kinds of shit
Despite all the hardships we've faced, we're still trying to make the best of our situation.

Taken all kinds of shit
We've endured a lot of struggles, difficulties, and hardships.

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Carl Kody Nielson, Ruban Nielson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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01A God Called Hubris

02Major League Chemicals

03Ministry of Alienation

04Hunnybee

05Chronos Feasts On His Children

06American Guilt

07The Internet of Love (That Way)

08Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

09This Doomsday

10How Many Zeros

11Not in Love We're Just High

12If You're Going to Break Yourself4:38

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

nibs thefroggirl

6y↑338

Lyrics:
I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain
Or nothing
Did you hear that sound
Silence
Kinda jumpy now
Backwards
Despite this feeling
Backwards
Despite this feeling

I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain
Or nothing
Did you hear that sound
Mayday
Gonna chop it down
Forward
Despite this feeling
Forward
Despite this feeling

Everyone acts crazy nowadays
Everyone acts crazy now
But we are taking all kinds of shit

I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain
Or nothing
Did you hear that sound
Mayday
Gonna chop it down
Forward
Despite this feeling
Forward
Despite this feeling

Everyone acts crazy nowadays
Everyone acts crazy now
But we are taking all kinds of shit

Sebastian Martinez

6y↑32

[Verse 1]
I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain or nothing
Did you hear that sound?
Silence
Kinda jumpy now
Backwards despite this feeling
Backwards despite this feeling

[Verse 2]
I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain or nothing
Did you hear that sound?
Mayday
Gonna chop it down
Forward despite this feeling
Forward despite this feeling

[Chorus]
Everyone acts crazy nowadays
Everyone acts crazy now
But we are taking all kinds of shit
Taking all kinds of shit
Everyone acts crazy nowadays
Everyone acts crazy now
But we are taking all kinds of shit
Taking all kinds of shit

[Verse 2]
I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain or nothing
Did you hear that sound?
Mayday
Gonna chop it down
Forward despite this feeling
Forward despite this feeling

[Chorus]
Everyone acts crazy nowadays
Everyone acts crazy now
But we are taking all kinds of shit
Taking all kinds of shit
Everyone acts crazy nowadays
Everyone acts crazy now
But we are taking all kinds of shit
Taking all kinds of shit

grannykungfu

6y↑3

I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain
Or nothing
Did you hear that sound
Silence
Kinda jumpy now
Backwards
Despite this feeling
Backwards
Despite this feeling

I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain
Or nothing
Did you hear that sound
Mayday
Gonna chop it down
Forward
Despite this feeling
Forward
Despite this feeling

Everyone acts crazy nowadays
Everyone acts crazy now
But we are taking all kinds of shit

I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond this
I'm caught
Beyond the feeling I won't live far beyond these years
We're growing in a vicious garden
We don't complain
Or nothing
Did you hear that sound
Mayday
Gonna chop it down
Forward
Despite this feeling
Forward
Despite this feeling

Everyone acts crazy nowadays
Everyone acts crazy now
But we are taking all kinds of shit

MaxResDefault

5y↑2

Im caught

beyond the feeling I won’t live far beyond this

Im caught

beyond the feeling I won’t live far beyond these years

We’re growing in a vicious garden

We don’t complain

Or nothing

Did you hear that sound

Silence

Kinda jumpy now

Backwards

Despite this feeling

Backwards

Despite this feeling

Im caught

beyond the feeling I won’t live far beyond this

Im caught

beyond the feeling I won’t live far beyond these years

We’re growing in a vicious garden

We don’t complain

Or nothing

Did you hear that sound

Mayday

Gonna chop it down

Forward

Despite this feeling

Forward

Despite this feeling

Everyone acts crazy nowadays

Everyone acts crazy now

But we are taking all kinds of shit

All comments from YouTube:

Brando.

3y↑31

I love all of their bass lines. So fluid, long live psychedelic rock

Donnie Shamblin

6y↑11

This band is so underrated.

Jane Orlando

5y↑40

This gets better everytime I hear it. Fantastic work by the animator/artist and the band

Brit R

6y↑44

I am so in love with this! The visuals and style of this are extraordinary. Sex and Food is sounding amazing so far and this might just be my favorite song off it out of the ones they've released so far!

nibs thefroggirl

6y↑338

PTW

3y↑1

@Shannon Ruby YTMND

Shannon Ruby

3y↑1

@PTW is that a valid correction to the chorus of the song or just your version¿ lol

PTW

3y↑3

[Chorus]
Hey Everyone,
Life is crazy now
We're taking herion
Thats crazy, yeah
But we have taken a bathtub shit
Taken a bathtub shit.

Stoney Daddy

3y↑1

Takin all type of shit 😁😂

Jeremy Walker

6y↑1

I here best of shit

1 More Replies...

Sam Pineda

6y↑6

Una de mis bandas favoritas sin duda 🎉🇲🇽

Ricky Landetta

Sam Pineda estoy totalmente de acuerdo :3 cool la escena de neopsicodelia ^^

Sebastian Martinez

6y↑32

Lisandro Chocobar

6y↑2

More music like this is what the world needs ;)

Basil Aldwin

6y↑344

I think the meaning of this video is how when you do drugs it's amazing at first but then you get stuck in the feeling and can't escape but you just need more, and you're stuck a hell (the flies) until you get eaten away by the hell you've put yourself in.

K-leb

@japanesemyth Heheh, this is the perfect music video to play at a party where we're all getting fucked up anyway. Bit of poetic juxtaposition...or something.

MR GLASS

So funny thia video

MiotaLee

@Tweedle Dee Tweedle dum enough not to see the nuance, but I'd gladly elaborate-

Adderon

@MiotaLee I get that. Addiction is the reason we use, not what we use over and over

15 More Replies...

ronnie

6y↑2

I can't stop listening to this song! It's so different to what I usually listen to, but it's so chill and good.

Marcos Silva

6y↑45

Such a great band, my god!

Tristopher

6y↑269

Yesterday my school had a lockdown and I thought there was a shooter. I had this song stuck in my head throughout the two hours it took for it to end. Thankfully it wasn’t a big deal but thank you for your music, it really helped get through yesterday.

Balharher

5y↑1

That's fucked dude, hope shit gets better for america

Odic

@Tristopher wth that's just pretty silly but I'm not from your home town so yeah Im just know a little bit about the shooter thingy hehehe , I'm just hope it's all cool in there buddy

Dusty Doge

Tristopher Hahaha! Get BTFOed America!

Petrichor

But what was it, really?

Daniel Eptein

6y↑2

I'm going to take a guess and say this is the USA. lol.

11 More Replies...

The Green One

2y↑3

Wow, this video - such a simple premise yet so effective, it's mesmerising

Agustin Martinez

6y↑62

There's still hope in music

Vick

@Odic so true

Odic

5y↑12

Oml dude , good music is everywhere you just need to find it and feel good about it , that's all

Hot since 97

5y↑1

Music IS hope.

butterfliesandtape

2y↑2

totally unique sound. if only every band were this innnovative.... hats off to UMO!! A+++++++

alpha_numeric44

1y↑1

This is dripping with Stevie Wonder ✨️

Marquese Lee

I love their melody and the depiction it's so realistic to how crazy the world is now

lisand14

4y↑1

TEMAZO!!! QUE BIEN SUENA ESTA BANDA

Jack Lennepkade

6y↑1

Thank you for your music Ruban and co. One of the most refreshing bands in music right now. This song is so fucking good.

Oscar Arias

6y↑1

Amazing guys I always will love your songs. Great job on this album

Rakin

6y↑1.3K

Ok. Who else thinks Tame Impala , UMO , King Gizz are bringing back Psychedelia back in the scene?

Rad Hippie kid

everyone...

Cory Hoffstatter

And Pond

Liam Paws

Also Sean Lennon helps

Polar Bear

Not a game of tame anymore

JT Huie

You literally just named my 3 favorite bands! I see you. 😎

80 More Replies...

turnerdcentury

3y↑1

Just finished watching the Wolf of Wall Street… this song kept repeating in my brain

Naori.

6y↑1

okay but I'm starting love more and more music like this.

Gabriela Villarroel

6y↑1

It burns you even further everytime. Amazing beat.

Nonnez

This song is amazing!!!! Thanks for the new song!!! We love it!!!:D

Lai Phang

6y↑2

This album is a pleasure to the ears.

(Flies fly over the shit)

Kurasi Kitsune

6y↑1

MASTERPIECE!

Benedict Shaw

6y↑1

Off The Wall-era Michael Jackson and Steely Dan vibes in this one. Sexcellent.

grannykungfu

6y↑4

I am so flippin excited for this album

peteika1

Wow!!! Beautiful music!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👌

grannykungfu

6y↑3

AJAVC

this song gets me up in the morning and i feel amazing and i love it!!!!!

Reptileguy 112

5y↑2

I loved listening to sex and food when I was in a group home, it kept me sane, and insane

Loïc Bédard

Can't wait to buy the album tomorrow! 😁

Erick Salazar

this song is solid gold

Bay Area408

I think this video depicts/reflects on a nowadays society and what be occurring and it’s being shown in a unique way where you see it from a different perspective

Jordan Finehair

havent even been able to look at their music video still so hooked on the song. 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 my neighbors hate me

Guy in a bush

5y↑2

The outro is so amazing

DF M

4y↑1

This is my new favorite band. Subscribed!

FloatingInThee

6y↑2

you never disappoint

lil baby tears

This song is so fucking good live too. The show was incredible

ChiefRedThrax

6y↑21

I think this is about how you feel you are sooo alive (at a party or the likes) until you come back to reality the next morning and you realize all the outside factors changing the weigh you act and see the fact that you are as fake as all the people you try to be different from

Germaine Crankfield

6y↑28

Felt this track instantly. Fresh

The Last Dispensation

6y↑12

Im 49 and these guys remind me of my mom listening to Lee Rittenhor.. Or Boz Skaggs.. From the early 80s ... Contemporary jazz from 80s..steely dan

Letícia Maciel

6y↑4

amei

ssstammering

This song unfolds like a piece of sonic origami. Songwriting ++

Resurrect The Night

4y↑74

Oh, how relevant is the feeling of this song now

Adderon

Drugs or society, we're taking all kinds of shit

Michael Roberts

@Red The future hasn't been better lol

Red

3y↑2

HAHAHA you fools that it was bad then?

1 More Replies...

RishiYisus

6y↑4

This new album is dope as fucc, you guys did it again, 8,5/10 at least in my opinion <3
PD: come to Chile

Sebastián Del Pino

Porfa wnnn

Danvelina

I really love this song, I dance to it in my bedroom lol

toasted912

a truly epic bop

Rancid carebear

6y↑6

This goes hard!!

Paola Cmrg02

You guys are the best 💕

Nathan Murphy

6y↑14

Yes! This release is gonna kick ass!

A D

Digging this album, it reminds me of self titled without the surf rock

Anderson Barros

que top mano

thefoxinshades

I feel like every shot of this would make a great animated background like how wonderland made great tshirt designs with each second

Barnabee_Bisonbread

6y↑13

Holy lord this is amazing

Lean Beam

It's amazing

Lean Beam

Straw_Hat_Jaysus dude I've been listening to it everyday for like a month

Kepler Wun

3y↑1

Time flies when you're having fun.

Thirteen Cross

I used to work at Levi's in SF. This played on repeat. I'm pretty sure this is what I'll hear not in hell but on the descent to the gates.

Yue Qing

I really want to love this band

toby aint fo the gimmicks

I’m loving it

Julian Bruyns

we're growing in a vicious cutlet? My favourite bit . Great song, futuristic band.

eddie fraire

Discovered them at bonnaroo. Best thing that’s happened this year.

Braulio J. Gutiérrez

6y↑1

Espectacular

MaxResDefault

5y↑2

Rafael Faustino

It's so sick and fancy at the same time

Sherman Hutchison

4y↑3

This is the best of the “late 2010s”

Elle

OH MY GOD THIS IS AMAZING

Pier Bassanini

6y↑1

Not gonna stop saying it i got the album on the third listened to it already bunch of times track four is sick , not heaven just california ! Im in cali

rosysyntax

6y↑1

Track of the goddamn century. It won't leave my head.

keihnung m

ruban honestly peaked at the first album and went up from there

Hanmura

just found out about this song, it's nice

Kevin Jahir Hernandez Farias

No se como termine aqui, pero me gusta:3

Andrew Coffman

6y↑1

This song is so damn cool! Totally reminds me of Prince with Wendy & Lisa circa 85-86

Nathan Hill

6y↑89

"Taking a massive shit"...I heard this for weeks until I just looked up the lyrics, "taken all kinds of shit" is the real lyric.

mrpipps90

Bahahahahaha just ruined this song for someone tonight...I knew I wasnt the only one but I still love knowing about you my friend.

Adderon

Saaaaaaame. Same.

PiZLe TwizzLer

"Everyone acts crazy now, but we are taking a bet-ter shit" ...it's about the competitive side of IBS.

Hayley M

@Gary V Hahaha!!! Bathtub shits are the worst!

Gary V

3y↑2

I thought it was "Taking a bathtub shit".

3 More Replies...

Bill Wampler

Wow, crazy cool video. Couldn't catch all the lyrics, but watched the whole thing.

sage diamond

what a way to show the truth... stuck in a fever moment but still plagued so, cant escape it anymore

Mattias Pilhede

3y↑17

Me when I stop time but accidentally stop time for myself too

Milan David

also the flies are immune to your time stop

Layla Hussain

God I love the animation

thefoxinshades

anyone else feel like these songs go so fast and slow at the same time

Ignis Koy'Ote

This whole scrnario is high key one of my biggest fears

mothRequiem

4y↑3

again with the chaotic fever dream vibe that i'm living for.

spitfire184

This song makes me act crazy now.

ConstantlyLaggingBehind-//://-

6y↑3

I wish the string section at the end was more prominent and expanded on. It’s a beautiful line that is almost buried by the rest of the song.

Jožin z Bažin

As always amazing!!1!!!1!!1!!

G.E. Asolar

6y↑28

Me faltó digerir los primeros singles, ahora si me pegó bien la merca.

Julius Boy

Desde From the sun me viene pegando lindo

Camilo Aaron

Leo B concuerdo

Leo B

6y↑3

Estos menes son muy buenos jajajajaja

Camilo Aaron

6y↑5

yo queria que sigan la linea de american guilt pero igual estoy satisfecho

TheWuzzyLine

I hate how well the Napolean Dynamite dance scene goes with this

Holly Taylor

1:40 fishy reminds me of sb-80's 14:14 fishy lake 🥰💓

Kylie Skinner

I heard hunnybee on the radio and fell in love with your music

Eru Pratama

this song growing up so fast in me

Lux

Glad for the new album

yuyi rv

6y↑1

This is my favorite!!

Diego Ksjd

Love ittt

mochi kun

2018上半期TOP5に入る最高のアルバムです。ビックリした！！

shostacowich

6y↑2

omg the album is out?? time to listen

Klazien Analenveehouderkweker

3y↑1

This melody sounds similar to the soundtrack in death note at the end of episode 20

Alben Espenido

I'm glad i've found this artist/s (i still dont know if this is a band,but im willing to discover)

Zion

A Beautiful way to describe the war

DoitForTheLolz1

5y↑3

Looks like everyone remembered their 100th cup of coffee that day

Higgo Braga

SONG OF THE YEAR

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