"Mother Sky" is a song by the krautrock group Can, written by… Read Full Bio ↴Mother Sky
"Mother Sky" is a song by the krautrock group Can, written by members Holger Czukay, Jaki Liebezeit, Michael Karoli, Irmin Schmidt, and Damo Suzuki. Lasting fourteen and a half minutes, it was recorded in July 1970 for the soundtrack of Jerzy Skolimowski's film Deep End and released in 1970 on Can's Soundtracks album. It opens in mid guitar solo before settling down into a familiar Can groove as singer Damo Suzuki mulls the relative merits of madness and "Mother Sky".
"Mother Sky" was covered by the UK band Loop for their Black Sun 12" in 1988 and is available as a bonus track on the Fade Out CD.[1]
It was also covered by Th' Faith Healers on their debut album Lido in 1992.[1][2]
In March 2005, Q magazine placed "Mother Sky" at number 48 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.
Mother Sky
Can Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I say madness is too pure like mother sky
I say madness is too pure like mother sky
I say madness is too pure like mother sky
I say madness is too pure like mother sky
I say madness is too pure like mother sky
Tell me what's the price of your life
I say madness is too pure like mother sky
Tell me what's the price of your life
Tell me what's the price of your life
Tell me what's the price of your life
Life and mother sky
And mother sky
And mother sky
And mother sky
I say madness is too pure like mother sky
Tell me what's the price of your life
I say madness is too pure like mother sky
I say madness is too pure like mother sky
Turning to desert
Turning to desert
Turning to desert
Shine like you
The lyrics to Can's "Mother Sky" suggest that madness, or perhaps the idea of being untethered to rationality, is as pure and natural as the sky. The repeated phrase "I say madness is too pure like mother sky" emphasizes this point, as if the singer is trying to convince or remind themselves and the listener of the inherent beauty and necessity of madness. The line "Tell me what's the price of your life" adds a sense of urgency and danger to the message, as if the singer is questioning the value of living a conventional, safe life compared to living an unpredictable, possibly chaotic existence. The repetition of "life and mother sky" suggests that both are precious and intertwined concepts that cannot be fully understood or controlled.
The final lines of the song, "Turning to desert / Shine like you" add an additional layer to the interpretation. It's possible that the reference to turning to a desert could suggest a sense of emptiness or nothingness, while "shine like you" could suggest a directive to embrace individuality and to stand out, even in the midst of emptiness or chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
I say madness is too pure like mother sky
The state of madness is as natural and uncontaminated as the vastness and purity of the sky.
Tell me what's the price of your life
What is the value of your existence? What would you give up in exchange for your life?
Life and mother sky
Life and nature share the same essence and beauty as the endless and majestic sky.
Turning to desert
The transformation of a vibrant and lively environment into a barren and lifeless wasteland, perhaps as a result of human actions or neglect.
Shine like you
Be true to yourself, express your unique qualities and shine like the natural phenomena around you.
Contributed by Evan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rogerantonybennett5272
Michael Karoli claimed credit for the stepwise plod-melody of this collective masterpiece.
Amongst his modal investigations he had rediscovered alternating tones with semitones.
I believe it's called octatonic.
And Mozzer Sky is to my mind an example of it.
Loosely applied but hugely effective.
The tritones break free into perfect 5ths to wonderful effect.
Holger (or was it Micky) pushed microtones on MONSTER MOVIE to wonderous heights too.
And futher back there's enough in BUTTERFLY to make CAN the most durable/creative band ever.
What could they do after Mooney left....despair
and then DAMO appeared
with MOZZER SKY... a 2nd phase.
@martha_m6933
This song is nearly 53 years old. And it is still such insanely good music!
@MrRevoluzer
RIP Damo, Thanks for the Great Music!!
@linsayspence7070
Book 'em Damo !
@Hollowsmith
Jaki Liebezeit may be the most underrated drummer in rock history.
@aciemiller3443
For me the best drummer. ;)
@davidgee1585
A human drum machine, in my opinion the best.
@janarnaud8058
Maybe underrated, butlla the greatest
@acidwizzardbastard
@Jos Samurai What's special is how metronomic he is. He doesn't miss a beat, at all, and keeps perfect time. Not just 'good' time, he is utterly perfect. He might not have been flashy but god was he good.
@martinholmes100
My feelings exactly! How right you are. I bought this Album in the early 70's (Soundtracks) & thought so back then.
@terrycuster4213
This is no drum computer
It' s Jacki Liebezeit
What a timing monster.