This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Hey there, people, I'm Bobby Brown
They say I'm the cutest boy in town
My car is fast, my teeth are shiny
I tell all the girls they can kiss my heine
Here I am at a famous school
I dressin' sharp and I'm acting cool
I've got a cheerleader here
Wants to help with my paper
Let her do all the work
And maybe later I'll rape her
Oh God, I am the American dream
I do not think I'm too extreme
And I'm a handsome son of a bitch
I'm gonna get a good job and be real rich
(Get a good, get a good, get a good, get a good job)
Women's liberation
Came creepin' all across the nation
I tell you, people, I was not ready
When I fucked this dyke by the name of Freddie
She made a little speech then
Oh, she tried to make me say when
She had my balls in a vice but she left the dick
I guess it's still hooked on but now it shoots too quick
Oh God, I am the American dream
But now I smell like Vaseline
And I'm a miserable son of a bitch
Am I a boy or a lady, I don't know which
(I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder)
So I went out and bought me a leisure suit
I jingle my change but I'm still kinda cute
Got a job doing radio promo
And none of the jocks can even tell I'm a homo
Eventually me and a friend
Sorta drifted along into S&M
I can take about an hour on the tower of power
As long as I get a little golden shower
Oh God, I am the American dream
With a spindle up my butt 'til it makes me scream
And I'll do anything to get ahead
I lay awake nights, sayin', "thank you, Fred"
Oh God, Oh God, I'm so fantastic
Thanks to Freddie, I'm a sexual spastic
And my name is Bobby Brown
Watch me now, I'm goin' down
And my name is Bobby Brown
Watch me now, I'm goin' down
And my name is Bobby Brown
Watch me now, I'm going down
Yeah, I knew you'd be surprised
They say I'm the cutest boy in town
My car is fast, my teeth are shiny
I tell all the girls they can kiss my heine
Here I am at a famous school
I dressin' sharp and I'm acting cool
I've got a cheerleader here
Wants to help with my paper
Let her do all the work
And maybe later I'll rape her
Oh God, I am the American dream
I do not think I'm too extreme
And I'm a handsome son of a bitch
I'm gonna get a good job and be real rich
(Get a good, get a good, get a good, get a good job)
Women's liberation
Came creepin' all across the nation
I tell you, people, I was not ready
When I fucked this dyke by the name of Freddie
She made a little speech then
Oh, she tried to make me say when
She had my balls in a vice but she left the dick
I guess it's still hooked on but now it shoots too quick
Oh God, I am the American dream
But now I smell like Vaseline
And I'm a miserable son of a bitch
Am I a boy or a lady, I don't know which
(I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder)
So I went out and bought me a leisure suit
I jingle my change but I'm still kinda cute
Got a job doing radio promo
And none of the jocks can even tell I'm a homo
Eventually me and a friend
Sorta drifted along into S&M
I can take about an hour on the tower of power
As long as I get a little golden shower
Oh God, I am the American dream
With a spindle up my butt 'til it makes me scream
And I'll do anything to get ahead
I lay awake nights, sayin', "thank you, Fred"
Oh God, Oh God, I'm so fantastic
Thanks to Freddie, I'm a sexual spastic
And my name is Bobby Brown
Watch me now, I'm goin' down
And my name is Bobby Brown
Watch me now, I'm goin' down
And my name is Bobby Brown
Watch me now, I'm going down
Yeah, I knew you'd be surprised
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More Featured Meanings
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
It might be because I'm a chick, but I LOVE this song. I hated jocks in high school. Whoever says that this is tasteless is just being waaay too sensitive. This song's just sticking it to the popularity contest that is life.
It's about the "perfect" guy at high school. The man's man. The one every guy wants to be. And it turns out he's gay. Oh the delicious irony. :}
frank has described the story of this song onstage. three radio dudes came to interview him and they brought their women with them and had a smug air to them and were trying to show off for the ladies by being douches and i guess frank just didn't like the guys at all.
so it's about a dude who's the shit, and who meets a feminist who pussy whips him. then he gets a job doing radio, and is a gay mess at the end of his life.
This song is an obvious parody of the american dream and lifestyle, its basically taking the piss out of the popularity contest that is life in America. its a good song though
Frank is my god. I think more jocks and rich pricks could benefit from having their balls cut off. Find out that deep down they really like S&M and being peed on.
I'd love to hate this song, but I've got to suck it up and admit that it kicks ass. Frank Zappa will never fail to keep the public entertained.
ANTI-FEMINIST? Are you retarded? It's a caricature of some jock ass that thinks about raping women. It's a FEMINIST song if anything because it's making you laugh at what a horrible loser a guy like that is.
this is the real shit
listen to frank zappa!
this song is hillarios and franks one of my favorites this song is some funny shit. its just nice to see the goody goody "bobby brown"aka the perfect kid grow up and have his balls taken off. absolutly hillarios anyone who doesnt think shouldnt listen to zappa he was funny man and a damn good guittar player
One should never look to deep into frank zappa's music, i think. who the hell knows what was going through his mind when the song was written? there was so much controversy about he and his badn taking nothing seriously, so theres a good chance that its just a bunch of bullshit that sounds good and is funny. i love frank zappa's music very much though...a fan-fuckin-tastic composer, he was. and beautiful too :)