Recordings:
* Leprechauns Are Upon Me (1959 as Dory Langdon)
* On My Way to Where (1970) - United Artists
* Reflections in a Mud Puddle/Taps Tremors and Time Steps (1971) - United Artists
* Mythical Kings and Iguanas (1971) - United Artists
* Mary C. Brown and the Hollywood Sign (1972) - United Artists
* Dory Previn (1974) - Warner Bros
* We're Children of Coincidence and Harpo Marx (1976) - Warner Bros
* "Dory & Andre Previn (1983)
* "Planet Blue" - (2002)
Michael Michael
Dory Previn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Muscle bound and super tan
Leather jacket, denim pants
Never did learn
How to dance, how to dance
Digs karate, raps on Zen
Digs karate, raps on Zen
Michael makes it best with men
Michael, Michael, Michael, Superman
Muscle bound and super tan
When he walks and talks and moves
Michael proves and proves
And proves Michael
Is a hyper Superman
Pushes acid, peddles hash
That's how Michael gets his stash
Rides his cycle likes a king
Knows his number
Does his thing, does his thing
And if he wants to
He can con any bird
He's turning on, if he wants to
He can con any bird
He's turning on
Michael, Michael, Michael, Superman
Muscle bound and super tan
When he walks and talks and moves
Michael proves and proves
And proves Michael
Is a hyper superman
But late at night
He sometimes seems to hear
His mother's voice
In dreams, calling to him
Clear and plain
But she calls him
Mary Jane, Mary Jane
And Michael answers plain and clear
I am coming, Mother dear
Michael answers plain and clear
I am coming, Mother dear
Michael, Michael, Michael, Superman
Muscle bound and super tan
When he walks and talks and moves
Michael proves and proves
And proves Michael
Is a hyper superman
A superman
La la la la la la la la la la la
The song "Michael Michael" by Dory Previn is a commentary on the counterculture of the 1960s and 70s, specifically focusing on a character named Michael who is portrayed as a hyper-masculine, drug-dealing, and promiscuous man who identifies as gay. The lyrics describe Michael as a "Superman" who is "muscle-bound and super tan" with a penchant for karate and Zen philosophy. He is depicted as a charismatic figure who can "con any bird" (a slang term for women) if he wants to, and gets his stash by pushing acid and peddling hash.
However, despite his tough exterior, the lyrics suggest that Michael has a vulnerable side. He is haunted by his mother's voice calling out to him in his dreams, referring to him as "Mary Jane," a term that was typically used as a code phrase for marijuana at the time. This vulnerability is highlighted by the repetition of the phrase "Michael proves and proves and proves" throughout the song, implying that Michael is trying to prove his masculinity and toughness to himself and others.
Overall, "Michael Michael" serves as a cultural commentary on the complex and often contradictory ideals and lifestyles of the counterculture movement.
Line by Line Meaning
Michael, Michael, Superman
Michael is described as a superhero
Muscle bound and super tan
Describes Michael's muscular body and tan complexion
Leather jacket, denim pants
Michael's fashion choices
Never did learn
Michael lacks the knowledge
How to dance, how to dance
Michael cannot dance
Digs karate, raps on Zen
Michael's interests in karate and Zen philosophy
Michael makes it best with men
Michael is attracted to men
Michael, Michael, Michael, Superman
Repetition of Michael being compared to Superman
When he walks and talks and moves
Michael's actions and presence
Michael proves and proves
Michael constantly proves himself
And proves Michael
Continuation of Michael proving himself
Is a hyper Superman
Michael is compared to a superhero again
Pushes acid, peddles hash
Michael sells drugs
That's how Michael gets his stash
Michael obtains drugs through selling them
Rides his cycle likes a king
Michael's mode of transportation is a motorcycle
Knows his number
Michael is confident
Does his thing, does his thing
Michael does what he wants
And if he wants to
Michael has the ability to
He can con any bird
Michael can easily deceive anyone
He's turning on, if he wants to
Michael can decide whether to turn on someone or not
But late at night
Michael's thoughts at night
He sometimes seems to hear
Michael's auditory hallucinations
His mother's voice
Michael's mother is present in his mind
In dreams, calling to him
Michael hears his mother in his dreams
Clear and plain
Michael's mother's voice is loud and easy to understand
But she calls him
His mother refers to him
Mary Jane, Mary Jane
His mother calls him by a feminine name
And Michael answers plain and clear
Michael responds to his mother
I am coming, Mother dear
Michael agrees to go to his mother
A superman
Reiteration of Michael's superhero-like status
La la la la la la la la la la la
Repeated melody at the end of the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DORY LANGDON PREVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind