Dweezil's registered birth name was Ian Donald Calvin Euclid Zappa, although this occurred only because the hospital at which he was born refused to register him under the name Dweezil. The name was a nickname coined by Frank for an oddly-curled pinky-toe of Gail's. His father instead used the first names of his bandmates to form a name. He was always called "Dweezil" by his family and was unaware that this was not the name on his birth certificate. Upon this discovery at the age of five, he insisted on having his nickname become his legal name. Gail and Frank hired an attorney and soon the name Dweezil was official.
In the 1980s, Dweezil worked as a MTV VJ. He also recorded some solo rock albums, as well as playing guitar for other artists. Dweezil can be seen in the music video for Don Johnson's top 40 song, "Heartbeat." Dweezil has said that Eddie Van Halen was his favorite guitar player, and he began copying Van Halen's distinctive guitar style. He also had a part in the futuristic Arnold Schwarzenegger movie The Running Man as Stevie ("Don't touch that dial!"), and gave his most famous cameo role in Molly Ringwald's brat-pack movie Pretty in Pink as Andi's friend, Simon.
In the mid 1990s, he voiced the character Ajax Duckman on the animated series Duckman. He also briefly appeared in the television sitcom "Normal Life" with sister Moon Unit Zappa and former Laverne and Shirley star Cindy Williams. And he also had a small role in the Michael Keaton movie Jack Frost in 1998, along with his sister Moon Unit Zappa and fellow musician Henry Rollins.
Dweezil's first serious relationship of note was with Katie Wagner, daughter of actor Robert Wagner, star of the Hart to Hart tv show. Dweezil later went on to have a brief relationship with actress Sharon Stone. For six years, Dweezil dated musician Lisa Loeb. Dweezil and Lisa wrote and performed music together, and even went on tour with Loeb's band. The couple co-hosted the cooking show Dweezil & Lisa on Food Network in 2004. However, the couple broke up in the summer of 2004. Dweezil married fashion stylist Lauren Knudsen on September 3, 2005 in Los Angeles.
In 2006, Dweezil organized the "Zappa Plays Zappa" tour. He assembled a band of young musicians with a view to bring the music of Frank Zappa to a younger audience. The tour also features guest appearances by Steve Vai, Napoleon Murphy Brock and Terry Bozzio. The tour began in Europe in May with dates in the U.S. from June. After a break it continued in the U.S. on October 18, 2006.
In 2003, on "Weird Al" Yankovic's album, Poodle Hat, Yankovic featured Dweezil Zappa on the song "Genius in France.
Unchained
Dweezil Zappa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Haaa-ha-ha-ha!
You say, I cannot get there from here, baby
Then I don't care where I'm goin'
Here's to your thin red line
Mmm, I'm stepping over
Thought you'd never miss me till I got a fat city address
Blue-eyed murder in a size five dress
Change, nothin' stays the same
Unchained, and ya hit the ground runnin'
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
I know, I don't ask for permission
This is my chance to fly
Maybe enough ain't enough for you
But it's my turn at a try
Thought you'd never miss me till I got a fat city address
Non-stop talker, what a rocker
Blue-eyed murder in a size five dress
Change, nothin' stays the same
Unchained, and ya hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
(Guitar Solo)
Change, nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Woo-hoo! Take a look at this!
Hey man, that suit is you!
Whoo-whee! You'll get some leg tonight for sure!
Tell us how you do! Hoo hoo hoo!
(Come on Dave, gimme a break)
Hey hey hey hey! One break, comin' up!
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Changed, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained!
The lyrics to Dweezil Zappa's song Unchained suggest a desire to break free from past constraints and expectations. The lines "You say, I cannot get there from here / Then I don't care where I'm goin'" indicate a disregard for limitations and a willingness to explore new paths even if they are not clearly defined. The reference to a "thin red line" suggests the possibility of danger or risk in pursuing these unknown paths. When the singer asserts "I'm stepping over", it implies a boldness and courage in the face of such uncertainties.
The song then goes on to address the idea of change and its inherent unpredictability. The chorus "Change, ain't nothin' stays the same / Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'" reinforces the notion that taking risks and embracing change can be both exhilarating and frightening. The reference to a "fat city address" and a "blue-eyed murder in a size five dress" suggests a certain mindset or attitude that accompanies the desire for change and freedom. The guitar solo that follows seems to embody this sense of adventure and exploration, with its energetic riffs and frenzied pace.
Overall, the lyrics to Unchained convey a sense of restless energy and a desire to break free from past expectations and limitations. The repetition of the word "unchained" seems to reinforce this idea of breaking free, and the boldness and risk-taking attitude of the singer suggest a willingness to embrace change and uncertainty in pursuit of greater freedom and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright!
Let's get started!
Haaa-ha-ha-ha!
Exclamation of excitement.
You say, I cannot get there from here, baby
You say I can't succeed with what I already have.
Then I don't care where I'm goin'
If my current path won't lead me to success, I'll find a new one.
Here's to your thin red line
Cheers to your limitations.
Mmm, I'm stepping over
I'm going beyond your limitations.
Thought you'd never miss me till I got a fat city address
You didn't value me until I succeeded.
Non-stop talker, what a rocker
I'm an unstoppable force and a great performer.
Blue-eyed murder in a size five dress
I may look innocent but I'm dangerous and powerful.
Change, nothin' stays the same
Everything changes constantly.
Unchained, and ya hit the ground runnin'
Once free, I can start achieving immediately.
I know, I don't ask for permission
I won't be held back by asking for permission.
This is my chance to fly
I have an opportunity to succeed, and I'm going to take it.
Maybe enough ain't enough for you
Maybe my goals are different than yours.
But it's my turn at a try
It's my turn to pursue my own path.
(Guitar Solo)
Musical interlude.
Woo-hoo! Take a look at this!
Excitement about a new discovery.
Hey man, that suit is you!
Compliment about an outfit choice.
Whoo-whee! You'll get some leg tonight for sure!
Implication of romantic success.
Tell us how you do! Hoo hoo hoo!
Share your secrets with us!
(Come on Dave, gimme a break)
Request for a pause or interruption.
Hey hey hey hey! One break, comin' up!
Acknowledgment of the request and agreement to pause.
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Everything changes.
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Being free allows for immediate success.
Changed, ain't nothin' stays the same
Everything changes.
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'
Freedom leads to quick success.
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Everything changes.
Unchained!
Emphatic statement of freedom.
Writer(s): MICHAEL ANTHONY, ALEX VAN HALEN, EDWARD VAN HALEN, DAVID LEE ROTH
Contributed by Jordyn F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nathalie Wimbée
on Bad Girl
Am I a bad girl ?.... (:p)