All in a day, all for me
Trek across the space
It'll be just like they say
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah

Since I am told, month number three
He has no memory
Of fliers in the night
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah

They went away, they went away
My manta ray is all right, my manta ray is all right
My manta ray is all right, my manta ray is all right

Police they say my mother too
A fish from ocean blue
Above my head that night
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah

They is a way, they is a way
My manta ray is all right, my manta ray is all right
My manta ray is all right, my manta ray is all right

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pixies’ “Manta Ray” are mysterious and open to interpretation, but appear to be about an experience that one of the band members had or a story they heard. The song tells the story of someone who has encountered a manta ray, which is a type of large peaceful sea creature, and they are reflecting on their experience. The lyrics suggest that the singer has trekked far to see the creature, and is excited for the experience, as they claim “It’ll be just like they say.”

However, there seems to be a darker and more ominous tone in the lyrics. They mention that someone in the story (perhaps the singer) has lost their memory, and that there were strange “fliers in the night.” The singer also mentions that police had something to do with the experience, and that their mother was involved. Despite these sinister allusions, the singer still feels that their manta ray is “all right.”

Overall, the song's cryptic nature allows the listener to interpret it differently. Some may see it as a story about the power and beauty of nature, while others may view it as a metaphor for more sinister experiences. The enchanting melody of “Manta Ray” matches its hazy, ambiguous lyrics, leaving the listener to ponder its meaning.

Line by Line Meaning

All in a day, all for me
It happens all in one day and only for me

Trek across the space
Travel through the universe

It'll be just like they say
It will happen exactly as they have told me

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
Expressing excitement or awe about what is being said or seen

Since I am told, month number three
I am informed that it has been three months

He has no memory
He doesn't remember anything

Of fliers in the night
Of any aircraft seen at night

They went away, they went away
Those things disappeared, they disappeared

My manta ray is all right, my manta ray is all right
My manta ray is safe

Police they say my mother too
The police say my mother disappeared

A fish from ocean blue
A marine creature from the deep blue sea