Strange Thing Mystifying
A.L. Webber & Tim Rice Lyrics
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What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
Why should you want to know?
Don't you mind about the future
Don't you try to think ahead
Save tomorrow for tomorrow
Think about today instead
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening (I could give you facts and figures)
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening (When do we ride into Jerusalem?)
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
Even tell you where I'm going (When do we ride into Jerusalem?)
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
Why should you want to know?
Why are you obsessed with fighting
Times and fates you can't defy?
If you knew the path we're riding
You'd understand it less then I
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
Let me try to cool down your face a bit
Let me try to cool down your face a bit
Let me try to cool down your face a bit
Let me try to cool down your face a bit
Let me try to cool down your face
Let me try to cool down your face
Let me try to cool down your face
Let me try to cool down your face
Mary uh that is good
While you prattled through your supper
Where and when and who and how
She alone has tried to give me
What I need right here and now
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
It seems to me a strange thing, mystifying
That a man like you can waste his time
On women of her kind
Yes, I can understand that she amuses
But to let her stroke you, kiss your hair
Is hardly in your line
It's not that I object to her profession
But she doesn't fit in well with what you teach and say
It doesn't help us if you're inconsistent
They only need a small excuse to put us all away
Who are you to criticize her?
Who are you to despise her?
Leave her, leave her, let her be now
Leave her, leave her, she's with me now
If your slate is clean, then you can throw stones
If your slate is not, then leave her alone
I'm amazed that a man like you
Can be so shallow, thick and slow
There is not a man among you
Who knows or cares if I come or go
No you're wrong! You're very wrong
No you're wrong! You're very wrong
No you're wrong! You're very wrong
No you're wrong! You're very wrong
How can you say that, how can you say that, how can you say that, how can you say that
Not one, not one of you!
The song "Strange Thing Mystifying" from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical Jesus Christ Superstar is a dialogue between Judas Iscariot and the other disciples questioning Jesus about his actions and prophecies, specifically his plans to ride into Jerusalem. Judas is skeptical and curious about Jesus' motives, wanting to understand the bigger picture and the purpose behind Jesus' actions. He urges Jesus to think about the present rather than being overly concerned about the future.
Through the repetitive phrase "What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening," Judas is trying to draw Jesus into a conversation and bring attention to the rumors and discussions surrounding their movement. He wants Jesus to explain the significance of their actions and the possible consequences. However, Jesus responds with an air of calmness, telling Judas not to focus on the future and to think about the present instead.
Judas continues to push Jesus for answers, asking about their route to Jerusalem and when they will ride into the city. He seeks concrete information and figures to make sense of their mission. Jesus deflects the questions and seems detached, emphasizing that knowing the path they are riding on would not bring understanding. He suggests that Judas is too preoccupied with fighting against the inevitable and cannot comprehend the higher purpose of their actions.
Mary Magdalene, who is present in the scene, interrupts the conversation by expressing her support for Jesus. She recognizes that Jesus provides what she needs in the present moment, both emotionally and spiritually. This declaration contrasts with Judas' doubt and sets up the tension between Mary's devotion and Judas' skepticism.
The song lyrically and thematically explores the conflict between faith, doubt, and the human desire for certainty and understanding. It delves into the dynamics between Jesus and his disciples, highlighting Judas' questioning nature and Mary's unwavering devotion. Ultimately, it sets the stage for Judas' eventual betrayal of Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
Please update me on the current events or news
Why should you want to know?
Is there a reason for your curiosity?
Don't you mind about the future
Don't be concerned with what lies ahead
Don't you try to think ahead
Avoid attempting to foresee what is to come
Save tomorrow for tomorrow
Do not fret about tomorrow's matters now
Think about today instead
Focus your thoughts and attention on the present moment
(I could give you facts and figures)
(I could provide you with concrete information)
(When do we ride into Jerusalem?)
(When will our journey to Jerusalem take place?)
Even tell you where I'm going (When do we ride into Jerusalem?)
I am even willing to disclose my intended destination (When do we ride into Jerusalem?)
Why are you obsessed with fighting
What is your fixation with engaging in conflicts
Times and fates you can't defy?
You cannot resist or alter the course of destiny
If you knew the path we're riding
If you were aware of the journey we are embarking on
You'd understand it less then I
You would comprehend it to a lesser extent than me
Let me try to cool down your face a bit
Allow me to attempt to calm you down
Mary uh that is good
Mary's actions are commendable
While you prattled through your supper
While you engaged in idle chatter during your meal
Where and when and who and how
Discussing trivial details and particulars
She alone has tried to give me
Only she has endeavored to provide me
What I need right here and now
With what I require in this very moment
It seems to me a strange thing, mystifying
To me, it appears as a peculiar and bewildering situation
That a man like you can waste his time
That someone of your caliber can squander his time
On women of her kind
On women of her occupation or status
Yes, I can understand that she amuses
Certainly, I can comprehend that she provides entertainment
But to let her stroke you, kiss your hair
However, allowing her to caress you and kiss your hair
Is hardly in your line
Does not align with your principles or convictions
It's not that I object to her profession
My objection does not lie with her chosen career
But she doesn't fit in well with what you teach and say
However, she does not align well with your teachings
It doesn't help us if you're inconsistent
Your inconsistency does not benefit us
They only need a small excuse to put us all away
They only require a trivial reason to imprison all of us
Who are you to criticize her?
By what authority do you criticize her?
Who are you to despise her?
By what right do you hold contempt for her?
Leave her, leave her, let her be now
Allow her to be, abandon your judgment of her
Leave her, leave her, she's with me now
Leave her, leave her, she is now in my company
If your slate is clean, then you can throw stones
Only if you are without fault, can you criticize others
If your slate is not, then leave her alone
If you have faults of your own, then do not interfere with her
I'm amazed that a man like you
I find it astonishing that someone like you
Can be so shallow, thick and slow
Can possess such shallowness, denseness, and slowness
There is not a man among you
Among all of you, there is not a single man
Who knows or cares if I come or go
Who is aware of, or shows concern for, my presence or absence
No you're wrong! You're very wrong
No, you are mistaken! You are profoundly mistaken
How can you say that, how can you say that, how can you say that, how can you say that
In what manner can you affirm that, repeat that, assert that, express that
Not one, not one of you!
Not a single one of you!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind