Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

She Called Pest Control
Daniel Johnston Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

She called pest control
And when she was sprayed
She never was bothered again
She wore western-style boots
Foreshadowing things to come
I said I'm an artist in search of a medium
She said I know
And I said well I gotta go
Looking back over my shoulder to see if she was sorry I was leaving
Because I thought I was lying
But I was going
I was going
I was gone
She called pest control
When she was sprayed
She never was bothered again...

Overall Meaning

The song "She Called Pest Control" is a reflection on the power dynamics within a romantic relationship, as well as issues of control and manipulation. The lyrics suggest that the woman in the relationship has taken control by calling in pest control to deal with a problem, indicating that she is capable of dealing with issues in a practical and decisive way. The fact that she "never was bothered again" further emphasizes her ability to take control of situations and eliminate problems.


The line about the woman wearing western-style boots foreshadowing things to come suggests that there may be a sense of danger or unpredictability in the relationship, as western style boots are often associated with cowboys and themes of violence and danger. The singer of the song seems to be struggling with his own identity and purpose, as he tells the woman that he is an artist in search of a medium. The fact that she understands and accepts this indicates that she may have some level of power and control in the relationship, and that he is looking for validation and support from her.


The final lines of the song are particularly poignant, as the singer looks back over his shoulder to see if the woman is sorry he is leaving, suggesting that he is unsure about the decision to end the relationship. However, he ultimately decides to leave, indicating that he has recognized the power dynamic at play and is taking control of his own life.


Line by Line Meaning

She called pest control
The woman in the song called pest control to rid of the pests in her home.


And when she was sprayed
After pest control sprayed her home, the pests were eliminated.


She never was bothered again
The woman never faced pest problems again after the extermination.


She wore western-style boots
The woman had a unique taste of fashion, which is an indication of things to come.


Foreshadowing things to come
The boots were a sign that something surprising or significant may take place later on.


I said I'm an artist in search of a medium
The singer of the song introduces himself as an artist searching for the best way to express himself.


She said I know
The woman indicated that she understood what the singer was saying.


And I said well I gotta go
The artist informs the woman that he has to leave.


Looking back over my shoulder to see if she was sorry I was leaving
The artist glanced back to see if the woman was remorseful that he had to depart.


Because I thought I was lying
The artist had second thoughts, thinking he lied to the woman before leaving.


But I was going
Despite the singer's doubts, he was indeed leaving.


I was going
The artist reiterates that he was on his way out.


I was gone
The singer confirms that he had left the scene entirely.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DANIEL JOHNSTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Comments from YouTube:

@giovannigenerali1409

truly one of my favorite pieces of art ever made

@marianadeleon8583

Mine too!

@roiybenkel682

She called pest control
And when she was sprayed
She never was bothered again

She wore western-style boots
Foreshadowing things to come
I said, "I'm an artist in search of a medium"
She said, "I know"
And I said well I gotta go

Looking back over my shoulder to see
If she was sorry I was leaving
Because I thought I was lying
But I was going
I was going
I was gone

She called pest control
And when she was sprayed
She never was bothered again

@jerkfayze

IMO this is lyrical and musical garbage, the album I mean.

@austinennis6833

why are you here

@artiefisk5291

That's just shitty. DJ was a freaking genius.

@sethcragan6908

It's ok that it is beyond you. Not everyone has the intelligence to understand the beauty in the simplicity. Maybe now, 6 years later you have a little more depth to you.... Probably not, but just maybe.

@johnzimmerman1159

J.C.E. = Proof that Shallow Thoughts Inhabit Small Minds

@foncess

@Seth Cragan exactly

7 More Replies...