Album: These Are the Good Times People (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is a look at the life of a helium balloon that is set free when its child captor accidentally releases it. Instead of gradually deflating at ground level, it will now fly as high as it can go before it pops. Quite a metaphor.
  • "Loose Balloon" was written by Presidents Of The United States Of America frontman Chris Ballew, who told the story of the song in a Songfacts interview. "I was walking along the shore in West Seattle, and from a distance across the water comes a balloon," he said. "It's just floating very intently at the same level toward the shore, and then it approached the shore about 50 yards ahead of me and went up the bulkhead, up onto the path I'm walking, just floating across the street toward the woods, and then just up over the trees and it's gone. This balloon was like on its way to town for a meeting, or it had to go to the dentist - it had a life of its own. It was just a rambling balloon."
  • The Presidents Of The United States Of America were on their third or fourth term when they released this song on their fifth album, These Are The Good Times People. They initially broke up in 1998 after landing hits with "Peaches" and "Lump." The would get back to together from time to time before calling it quits in 2016.
  • Chris Ballew recorded a new version of this song as Caspar Babypants, his vehicle for children's music, in 2021. In the Caspar version, the balloon is confident and ambitious, determined to be the first balloon on Mars.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.