Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus With Needles
The Flaming Lips Lyrics
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Every mouth will eat you up, the king bug laughs
Belly of the heart; Belly full of bats
The chromosomes seem not to want the fetus
They beat you up
They make you leave
Sticking needles in your knees
Knowing God will be pleased
Should make it easy
Snakes eating frogs, toads eating gnats
When the space ship beams you up, boy, get drunk fast
Rubber bullet barn, titty sucking calf
Goats and roosters, bees and bugs, amoebas!
They blow you up, make it breathe
Make it feel like a disease
And though it's hard to believe, it makes it easy
The lyrics to The Flaming Lips's song Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles describe a surreal and chaotic world where creatures of all kinds are engaging in violent and gruesome acts against one another. The imagery in the lyrics is startling and hallucinatory, suggesting a world turned upside down where nothing is as it seems. The use of animal imagery seems to suggest a primal, instinctual world where the laws of nature hold sway over human order and reason.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, describing a world where dogs and cats are at war and pigs are eating rats. In this world, every mouth will eat you up, suggesting a sense of pervasive danger and threat. The "king bug" laughs at this chaos, seeming to revel in the madness of the world he has created. The mention of the "chromosomes" and the fetus suggests that the song is exploring themes of birth and creation, perhaps suggesting that even in the very beginning of life, there is chaos and disorder.
As the song continues, it seems to become even more surreal and disorienting, with references to "snakes eating frogs" and "rubber bullet barns." The final lines of the song suggest that even though the world may be hard to understand, there is an underlying logic to it that will make it all make sense in the end. The line "Should make it easy" seems to suggest a kind of resignation or acceptance of the chaos of the world, even if we don't fully understand it.
Line by Line Meaning
Cat killing dogs; pigs eating rats
The world is full of chaos and survival of the fittest, where bigger animals prey on weaker ones.
Every mouth will eat you up, the king bug laughs
In this world, everyone is only out for themselves and willing to consume anything to stay alive. Even those in power find it amusing to watch their subjects suffer and die.
Belly of the heart; Belly full of bats
The human heart can hold a lot of darkness and negativity, represented here by the image of it being filled with bats, nocturnal and menacing creatures.
The chromosomes seem not to want the fetus
The genetic makeup of the fetus appears to be incompatible with life, as if even its own cells are rejecting its existence.
They beat you up
Life can be cruel and unforgiving, causing physical and emotional pain.
They make you leave
Sometimes situations become so unbearable that leaving seems like the only option.
Sticking needles in your knees
Medical intervention can be invasive and painful, often causing more harm than good.
Knowing God will be pleased
In the face of suffering, people often try to find solace in religion and the belief that their hardship is part of a divine plan.
Should make it easy
Clarity about the purpose and meaning of one's suffering can make it easier to bear.
Snakes eating frogs, toads eating gnats
The cycle of life and death continues, with each organism consuming and being consumed by another.
When the space ship beams you up, boy, get drunk fast
In moments of extreme stress, people may turn to drugs or alcohol to numb their pain.
Rubber bullet barn, titty sucking calf
The world is full of bizarre and nonsensical imagery, like a barn that shoots rubber bullets or a calf that suckles on something inappropriate.
Goats and roosters, bees and bugs, amoebas!
A diverse range of organisms inhabit the earth, each with their own unique characteristics and quirks.
They blow you up, make it breathe
Even in difficult times, people may feel a sense of rebirth and renewal as they emerge from crisis.
Make it feel like a disease
Suffering can be isolating and make one feel like they are contagious or a burden on others.
And though it's hard to believe, it makes it easy
The unexpected lightness and clarity that can come from suffering can be hard to understand, but it can ultimately make life easier to bear.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL IVINS, RONALD JONES, STEVEN DROZD, WAYNE COYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Johnny Only
Ronald Jones. The best guitarist no one will hear ever again. Excellent grit and is that a transistor radio being held to the pick ups for crunchy feedback? Brilliant!
ProfessorNeuwave
I used to play this over & over after a hard days work back in 1997/98. Love it!
The Milkman
Haha. My 53 year-old English teacher gave me this album. She's awesome.
Rhiannon Redd
Please tell your music teacher I love them ❤
Flex God
cant wait to see them LIVE next week!
Jack Rabbit
exemplifies what the lips are all about: an explosion of birth, death, light, decay, time & space, love and volume!!
madprops
this is how life sounds like
Manuel Chaves
this song is perfect
Mekon Headed Freak
I first heard this on a SPIN Magazine compilation tape. Became a big Lips fan after.
Yves Turgeon
Ladies and gentlemen..Steven Drozd on drums!!!!!