Mother Revolution
Tori Amos Lyrics

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Lucky me
I guessed the kind of man
That you would turn out to be
Now I wish that I'd been wrong and then
I could remember to breathe
And all along the watchtower
The night horses and the black mares
Ready themselves for the outcome
For the strange times upon us

But what you didn't count on
Was another mother of
A mother revolution
But what you didn't count on
Was another mother of
A mother revolution
You could've have me
You could've have me
You could've have me
Right there beside you
You could've have me boy
You could've have me yeah
You could've have me
Right there beside you

A wife on loan in a cafe
In old El Paso
Next I go to
Seven Gates and my sister's Bass Bonanza
And all along her watchtower
The night horses and the black mares
Steady themselves for the outcome
For the strange days upon us

What you didn't count on
Was another mother of
A mother revolution

Overall Meaning

In Tori Amos's song "Mother Revolution," she delivers a pointed message about a wrong prediction that she made regarding a man's character. She begins by saying that she had originally anticipated the type of person he would become. She then expresses her regret and longing for a different outcome, as she can hardly breathe in the current situation. This is followed by a reference to "all along the watchtower," which suggests that the situation is taking place in the midst of turmoil, and the horses are getting ready for the battle.

Amos then says that the man did not anticipate another "mother revolution," which makes it perfectly clear that the character in question was not comfortable going against the status quo. He was not prepared for someone to challenge his authority, and did not account for the possibility of a rebellion. She repeats the phrase "you could have had me," suggesting that her support could have been reciprocated and perhaps even been of benefit.

Amos then describes her travels to different places like "old El Paso" and her sister's "Bass Bonanza." Again, she references the "watchtower," signifying the tension and unease that surrounds her. She ends with another reference to the "mother revolution." The song seems to be a call to those who have been oppressed to rise up and challenge the people who hold them back.

Line by Line Meaning

Lucky me
I am fortunate

I guessed the kind of man
I anticipated the type of person you would become

That you would turn out to be
Your true nature and actions are as expected

Now I wish that I'd been wrong and then
I long to be mistaken and to have a different reality

I could remember to breathe
I feel overwhelmed, anxious, and unable to relax

And all along the watchtower
Throughout this troublesome era

The night horses and the black mares
Symbolic creatures that represent impending battle and danger

Ready themselves for the outcome
Preparing for what is to come

For the strange times upon us
A time of uncertainty, change and upheaval

But what you didn't count on
One thing you failed to anticipate

Was another mother of
A powerful and influential female figure

A mother revolution
A rebellion meant to shake the established order and challenge the status quo

You could've have me
You had the opportunity to be with me

Right there beside you
In close proximity and as an ally

A wife on loan in a cafe
A temporary and disposable spouse, represented by a setting of transience and detachment

In old El Paso
A location that represents a bygone way of life and a previous era

Next I go to
Moving on to another destination

Seven Gates and my sister's Bass Bonanza
A sequence of events that suggests a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and artistic expression

And all along her watchtower
Similar to the previous use, but in reference to a different female figure

The night horses and the black mares
Recurring symbols of danger, risk, and unpredictability

Steady themselves for the outcome
Preparing as well and anticipating what's to come

For the strange days upon us
Characteristics of this time, with the same description as before

What you didn't count on
The same phrase as before, to emphasize the recurring idea of underestimating the power of women

Another mother of
The same as before, but repeated

A mother revolution
The same as before, with emphasis on revolution

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: TORI ELLEN AMOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

M R

8y↑12

I still love this album!

FallicIdol

Me too. This is one of the better songs on it too.

G Lane

4y↑1

This song is unreal! I love you tori

Eric Springer

9y↑6

I like this album, I am playing it track by track here on Youtube, but I am enjoying it! So different but it is GREAT! I have not disliked one song thus far! I am buying it!