Humor Me
Pere Ubu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was the first thing that I saw
You never see that kind of Classical Girl
Understand
It was the first thing that I saw
That was fate
It was the ballistics!
No
That was fate
It was a world
What a world!
What a world?
What a big world
But a world to be drowned in
It's just a joke man!
Another day?
Well
Suffer
For that's the way of the west
Suffer
Oh
Oh it's a joke!
It's a joke
Oh
It's a joke
That's a joke?
Hunh-unh
Well
Humor me
The lyrics to the Pere Ubu song "Humor Me" are cryptic and open to multiple interpretations. In the first verse, the singer describes seeing a Classical Girl, which seems to be an anomaly in their world. The singer declares that it was fate that they saw this girl, but then immediately dismisses the idea in the next line, saying "No, that was fate." The next few lines are confusing, with the mention of ballistics and drowning in the world. It's possible that the singer is feeling overwhelmed by their surroundings and the randomness of life.
The next verse starts off with the line "It was a world," which could be a nod to the previous line about drowning in the world. The singer seems resigned to the idea of suffering, saying "Suffer / For that's the way of the west." But then they declare that it's all just a joke, questioning if the idea of suffering is even real. The final line of the song is the title itself, "Humor me," which again could be interpreted in multiple ways. It could be a plea for someone to make them laugh, or it could be a sarcastic dismissal of the entire situation.
Overall, the lyrics to "Humor Me" are intentionally opaque and surreal, leaving it up to the listener to draw their own conclusions about what the song is really about.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh
The singer begins by expressing surprise or wonder.
It was the first thing that I saw
The singer saw something noteworthy and remarkable.
You never see that kind of Classical Girl
The person or thing the singer saw was unusual or rare.
Understand
The artist wants the listener to comprehend something important.
It was the first thing that I saw
The artist restates the same point made in the first line for emphasis.
That was fate
The singer believes that destiny played a role in what they witnessed.
It was the ballistics!
The singer uses hyperbole to describe the intense feelings they experienced in the moment.
No
The artist negates whatever the previous statement was, indicating a change in thought or emotion.
That was fate
The artist returns to the idea that destiny played a role in the matter at hand.
It was a world
The artist perceives their surroundings as a complex and diverse place.
What a world!
The singer is in a state of awe or disbelief at the world's intricacy and vastness.
What a world?
The artist ponders the meaning and purpose of existence.
What a big world
The singer emphasizes the scale and unlimited potential of the world.
But a world to be drowned in
The singer recognizes that the world can also be burdensome, overwhelming, or traumatic.
It's just a joke man!
The singer downplays the seriousness or significance of a situation, or uses humor as a coping mechanism.
Another day?
The artist wonders if the cycle of daily life will continue as expected.
Well
The artist uses this word as a filler or to buy time before speaking.
Suffer
The singer acknowledges that pain or hardship is a common experience in life.
For that's the way of the west
The singer connects the idea of suffering to the norms and values of Western culture.
Suffer
The artist emphasizes the pervasive nature of suffering.
Oh
The artist expresses sympathy or disappointment.
Oh it's a joke!
The artist shifts from a negative emotion to a humorous or ironic perspective.
It's a joke
The singer repeats the previous line for emphasis, and may be laughing at themselves or the situation.
That's a joke?
The artist is questioning the veracity or usefulness of a statement or behavior.
Hunh-unh
The singer is conveying a negative response or disbelief.
Well
The singer uses this word again as a filler or to buy time before speaking.
Humor me
The singer asks the listener to indulge their desire for amusement, distraction, or comfort.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALLEN RAVENSTINE, DAVID THOMAS, SCOTT KRAUSS, TOM HERMAN, TONY MAIMONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@matteo7059
Oh
It was the first thing that I saw
You never see that kind of Classical Girl
Understand
It was the first thing that I saw
That was fate
It was the ballistics!
No
That was fate
It was a world
What a world!
What a world?
What a big world
But a world to be drowned in
It's just a joke man!
Another day?
Well
Suffer
For that's the way of the west
Suffer
Oh
Oh it's a joke!
It's a joke
Oh
It's a joke
That's a joke?
Hunh-unh
Well
Humor me
@matteo7059
Oh
It was the first thing that I saw
You never see that kind of Classical Girl
Understand
It was the first thing that I saw
That was fate
It was the ballistics!
No
That was fate
It was a world
What a world!
What a world?
What a big world
But a world to be drowned in
It's just a joke man!
Another day?
Well
Suffer
For that's the way of the west
Suffer
Oh
Oh it's a joke!
It's a joke
Oh
It's a joke
That's a joke?
Hunh-unh
Well
Humor me
@Artaud1957
That guitar solo is so incandescent, it still brings tears to my eyes, even after all these years...
@MMulcair
I find it deeply unsettling but fascinating at the same time.
@WhatWouldAlBundyDo
Stuck in my head at least once a day every day for the last 20+ years. Not complaining.
@Lemonukeable
Can't get over how much good stuff is in this song. The bassline, the solo, the groove with those handclaps on the accents, Thomas's vocals and damn just the way it climaxes in the final minute or so. Just amazing.
@micheleocchialini4512
that solo is haunting man
@richardo5951
I know. It has a kind of internal logic.
@TheFuzzieWuzzie
Probably the greatest song ever.
@punkpoetry
The best one on the album for sure.
@BGlatz
serious#?
@VittorioIacovella
Indeed