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1-2-8
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

They played something
They made something
Brand new baby blues machine
Brass tacks, duct tape
For the great escape
Packed in there like sardines
Back and forth
East, south, west, and north
Shred the atlas burn the map
Often lost
And paths criss-crossed
Wake me up I need a nap
They did something
Which meant something
And that got them some attention
Eyes wide
A roller coaster ride
Great pride in this invention
I think they're selling
Snake oil
At the dog and pony show
In the garden gee
Would you pardon me
And by the way how does it grow
The explanation's unexplainable
Holding onto something
Once thought unattainable
The course was never charted
So don't look into the books
The secret's not the recipe
It's got to be the cooks
They made something
They played something
Blood, sweat, and elbow grease
If you can't stand the heat in the kitchen
Get out it will increase
Last train to where?
Hey get out of here
Nothing's measured and nothing's weighed
A dash of honesty
In the recipe
That's the first mistake you've made
1, 2 what's in the stew
3, 4 no one's really sure
5, 6 what's in the mix
7, 8 this stuff tastes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "1-2-8 in 2-3" by The Mighty Mighty Bossstones seem to be describing the experience of a group of people who have created something new and exciting, potentially some sort of blues music machine. The lyrics mention "blood, sweat, and elbow grease," which suggests that whatever they have created has required a lot of hard work and effort. The imagery of being "packed in there like sardines" and needing a nap suggests that they've been on some sort of tour or journey to spread their creation.


There seems to be a sense of pride in whatever they've created, and they've gained some attention for it. However, there's also a sense of ambiguity or mystery around what exactly it is that they've made, as the lyrics mention "snake oil" and an "unexplainable" explanation. The line "the secret's not the recipe, it's got to be the cooks" suggests that the real magic is in the people who created it, rather than whatever they actually made.


Overall, the lyrics of "1-2-8 in 2-3" seem to be celebrating creativity and the joy of making something new, while also recognizing the challenges and uncertainties that come with the creative process.


Line by Line Meaning

They played something
The Bosstones performed a piece of music


They made something
The Bosstones created something


Brand new baby blues machine
A new type of music instrument was invented


Brass tacks, duct tape
The creation process involved using basic and makeshift tools and materials


For the great escape
This project was a way to break away from something


Packed in there like sardines
The Bosstones were cramped together in a small space


Back and forth
They traveled to different places repeatedly


East, south, west, and north
They covered all directions


Shred the atlas burn the map
They didn't follow a set path and weren't relying on maps


Often lost
They frequently didn't know where they were


And paths criss-crossed
The routes they took were complex


Wake me up I need a nap
The journey was exhausting and they needed rest


Which meant something
Their creation had significance


And that got them some attention
People took notice of what the Bosstones did


Eyes wide
Everyone was excited and alert


A roller coaster ride
The experience was exhilarating


Great pride in this invention
They were proud of what they had created


I think they're selling
Someone believes the Bosstones are promoting something


Snake oil
This item being sold is probably a scam or fake


At the dog and pony show
The event is a spectacle meant to impress


In the garden gee
The location is a peaceful place


Would you pardon me
Excuse me, may I ask a question?


And by the way how does it grow
What is the origin of this product?


The explanation's unexplainable
It's hard to describe or understand


Holding onto something
They kept something valuable


Once thought unattainable
What they have achieved was believed to be impossible


The course was never charted
They didn't have a plan to follow


So don't look into the books
Don't try to find guidance from existing sources


The secret's not the recipe
The key to success is not just the ingredients used


It's got to be the cooks
The people responsible for creating something are the ones who make it great


Blood, sweat, and elbow grease
Hard work and effort went into making something


If you can't stand the heat in the kitchen
If you can't handle the pressure of a situation


Get out it will increase
Leaving will only make things harder


Last train to where?
Where does the final opportunity lead to?


Hey get out of here
Leave now!


Nothing's measured and nothing's weighed
No specific quantities were used in the creation process


A dash of honesty
A small amount of truth


In the recipe
The truth is an essential component


That's the first mistake you've made
Lack of honesty may ruin everything


1, 2 what's in the stew
What elements are included in the mixture?


3, 4 no one's really sure
There's no clear understanding of the composition


5, 6 what's in the mix
Trying to figure out what the creation includes


7, 8 this stuff tastes
Regardless of its composition, the end result is enjoyable




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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