Duck Duck Goose
Frank Zappa Lyrics
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Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK
January 17, 1977
FZ--guitar
Ray White--guitar
Eddie Jobson--violin, keyboards
Patrick O'Hearn--bass
Terry Bozzio--drums
Terry Bozzio--voice
Patrick O'Hearn--voice
Davey Moire--voice?
Roy Estrada--voice
Moire?: What?
O'Hearn: Heh heh heh ye-yes!
Roy:
I never thought you'd go from me
Now that you're gone
I miss you so much
Wha-Wha-Whatcha gonna do when the well runs dry?
O'Hearn: Oh-ooh-h listen to him go!
O'Hearn: Why don't you take it down to C-sharp, or an E?
Roy:
Whatcha gonna do when the well runs dry-y-y-y?
Bozzio: Talk him down, Vic . . .
Moire?: Mmm . . .
O'Hearn: Come on down, Johnny . . .
Moire?: Okay . . .
Moire?: Yeah
O'Hearn?: Nope
The beginning of the song Duck Duck Goose by Frank Zappa features a conversation among the members of the band about the song that they are about to play. They discuss the potential key changes and make suggestions, emphasizing this as a spontaneous performance. The lyrics of the song shift between the members, but the overall theme seems to be dealing with a lost love or relationship. Roy Estrada sings about missing someone who has left him, asking "whatcha gonna do when the well runs dry?" which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the end of a relationship or the feeling of being abandoned.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of urgency and desperation, as though the singer is trying to make sense of their emotions and find a way to move on. The use of multiple voices creates a frantic atmosphere, with each member contributing their own perspective on the situation. The lyrics are open to interpretation, as the song may be about lost love, addiction, or anything else that can leave a person feeling empty and searching for answers.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought you'd go from me
I didn't expect you to leave me
Now that you're gone
Since you have left
I miss you so much
I feel your absence dearly
Wha-Wha-Whatcha gonna do when the well runs dry?
What will you do when your resources run out?
Oh-ooh-h listen to him go!
He is doing great, keep listening
Why don't you take it down to C-sharp, or an E?
Change the key of the song to C-sharp or E
Whatcha gonna do when the well runs dry-y-y-y?
What will you do when you run out of resources?
Talk him down, Vic . . .
Lower the tempo or volume of the performer's voice, Vic
Come on down, Johnny . . .
Join the performance, Johnny
Yeah
Yes
Nope
No
Contributed by Peyton A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.