Chicken Butt
Clover Lyrics


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Look at that chicken butt going away
Come back, chicken butt, here to stay

Going into town to buy some whiskey
Going into town to buy some beer
Going into town to get some thrills
Ain't coming back 'til I get my fill
Had me a wife and called me, honey
Had me a wife and she called me, babe
But she went and took my money
Just one year ago today

Had me a goat and her name was Fred
Milked too much and now she's dead
Had me a horse and I called him Bob
Couldn't mount him 'cause he's too tall

Now that you have heard my song
Mr. Chicken, don't do me wrong
Look at that chicken butt going away
Come back, chicken butt, here to stay

Come back, chicken butt going away
Come back, chicken butt, here to stay
Now that you have heard my song
Mr. chicken, don't do me wrong

Look at that chicken butt going away
Come back, chicken butt, here to stay




Come back, chicken butt going away
Come back, chicken butt, here to stay

Overall Meaning

The song "Chicken Butt" by Clover is a humorous and playful tune that has gained popularity for its catchy melody and silly lyrics. The song starts off by describing a chicken's rear end, urging it to come back and stay. However, the lyrics take a sudden turn as the singer talks about going into town to buy alcohol and engage in reckless behavior. He had a wife who left him, a goat that died and a horse that was too tall to ride. The song ends with the plea for Mr. Chicken not to let him down, as the chicken butt goes away.


The lyrics of this song seem to be random and nonsensical, but there may be some underlying messages worth exploring. The phrase "chicken butt" is often used as a playful insult, conveying a sense of immaturity and humor. In this song, the use of the phrase may be a way to lighten the mood and make the lyrics more fun. The references to alcohol and risky behavior may suggest a desire for escapism and recklessness, perhaps to forget about past losses and hardships. Finally, the song may also be interpreted as a plea for consistency and dependability, as manifested in the refrain of "come back, chicken butt, here to stay".


Line by Line Meaning

Look at that chicken butt going away
Observing the chicken's behind as it moves away


Come back, chicken butt, here to stay
Requesting the chicken to return and remain here


Going into town to buy some whiskey
Traveling into town to purchase alcoholic beverage


Going into town to buy some beer
Journeying into town to obtain alcoholic drink


Going into town to get some thrills
Venturing into town to acquire entertainment or excitement


Ain't coming back 'til I get my fill
Not returning until satisfaction is achieved


Had me a wife and called me, honey
Married previously and called affectionate names


Had me a wife and she called me, babe
Was previously married and referred to by pet names


But she went and took my money
However, she absconded with my finances


Just one year ago today
Precisely a year ago today


Had me a goat and her name was Fred
Owned a female goat referred to as Fred


Milked too much and now she's dead
Excessively milked and now deceased


Had me a horse and I called him Bob
Possessed a horse named Bob


Couldn't mount him 'cause he's too tall
Could not ride due to being too tall


Now that you have heard my song
Having listened to my musical piece


Mr. Chicken, don't do me wrong
Addressing the chicken, please do not cause harm


Come back, chicken butt going away
Requesting the return of the chicken's derrière as it recedes


Come back, chicken butt, here to stay
Please come back and remain here, chicken's behind


Now that you have heard my song
Acknowledging the audience's attentiveness


Mr. chicken, don't do me wrong
Humorously addressing the chicken again not to cause any harm


Look at that chicken butt going away
Reiterating to observe the chicken's departing glutes


Come back, chicken butt, here to stay
Persisting in the request for the chicken's posterior to return and remain


Come back, chicken butt going away
Once again asking for the chicken's behind to return, despite its withdrawal


Come back, chicken butt, here to stay
Closing the song with a final plea for the chicken's hindquarters to remain in the immediate vicinity




Writer(s): Alexander Hughes Call, John Ciambotti, Hugh Cregg, Sean Thomas Hopper, John Mcfee, Michael Schreiner

Contributed by Claire A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@brettlazor8219

Sheesh! That’s some mighty fine tele picking

@bobhickman4976

This is just outrageous. What a great bunch of players.

@johnsheffield6640

Had no idea Huey could play like that!

@TheFpCassini

pre Doobie Brothers, Elvis' My Aim is True and Huey Lewis and the News!

@Chris-ni1kh

That is top draw.

@philipgreiner4471

Omg there so good guitarist and harmonica are bad asses

@caitpremozich9345

I love around the 2 min mark when Huey clucks like a Chicken for no reason and they all just turn around like "whaaaat" . I'd love to see a video of Huey watching this just to get his reaction , especially to that part. I'm crying of laughter right now .

@davidjorgensen877

Yeah, it's his vocal lead-in to the kick-ass harmonica solo that follows - a harbinger of the fame soon to come: Huey was always just soooo funny, humble, and monumentally talented (and the rest of these lads were right up there with him!)

@caitpremozich9345

@@davidjorgensen877 Did you know them personally ?.That is so cool if you did .

@davidjorgensen877

​@@caitpremozich9345 Actually, I do know Alex Call. He lives in the northwestern Ontario town I grew up in, and married a good friend of my brother's. I was blown away when I learned he'd played with Huey Lewis, who happened to be my absolute favorite 80s pop-rock artist. Alex is a very cool dude, and a man of deep conscience.

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