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.
Zomby Woof
Dweezil Zappa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I might get some sleep
I stretched myself out onna antique bed
An' my spirit did a midnite creep
You know I'll never sleep no more
It seem to me that it just ain't wise
Didja ever wake up in the mornin'
With a ZOMBY WOOF behind your eyes
Just about as evil as you could be
I am the ZOMBY WOOF
I'm that creature all the ladies been
Talkin' about
I am the ZOMBY WOOF
They all seek for shelter when I come chargin' out
Tellin' you all the Zomby troof
Here I'm is, the ZOMBY WOOF
Tellin' you all the Zomby troof
Here I'm is...
Reety-awrighty, he da ZOMBY WOOF
Reety-awrighty, he da ZOMBY WOOF
They said aw-reety
An' they was aw-righty
An' I was a Zomby for you, little lady...
I got a great big pointed fang
Which is my Zomby Toof
My right foot's bigger than my other one is
Like a reg'lar Zomby Hoof
If I raid your dormitorium
Don't try to remain aloof...
I might snatch you up screamin' through the window all nekkid
An' do it to you on the roof, don't mess with the
ZOMBY WOOF
I am about as evil as a Boogie Man can be!
Tellin' you all the Zomby Troof
Here I'm is, the ZOMBY WOOF
Tellin' you all the Zomby Troof
Here I'm is, the ZOMBY WOOF
The song "Zomby Woof" by Dweezil Zappa tells the story of a creature known as the "Zomby Woof." It is a character invented by Zappa that represents the evil side of humanity. The singer describes how he can't sleep because of the Zomby Woof hiding behind his eyes. The creature is described as a boogie man that all the ladies fear. Its features include a big pointed fang, a larger right foot like a regular zombie hoof, and the ability to snatch you up screaming through the window and do it to you on the roof. The Zomby Woof represents the evil that hides inside us all and how it can be unleashed if we are not careful.
Through the use of an entire imaginary world, the song reveals a hauntingly relatable aspect of human nature. Not being able to sleep due to the evil that lives inside us is a common theme that this song portrays beautifully. It also highlights how fear of this evil can overpower us to the point where we seek shelter from it, just like the ladies in the song all try to hide when the Zomby Woof charges out. This song is an ode to the dark side of humanity and how we all must learn to grapple with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Three hundred years ago
A long time ago, possibly in the past or in a dream, the singer encountered something strange.
I thought I might get some sleep
The singer was trying to sleep but was unable to.
I stretched myself out onna antique bed
The singer lay down on an old bed, possibly to rest or sleep.
An' my spirit did a midnite creep
The artist experienced some sort of spiritual or supernatural phenomenon, perhaps while asleep or lying in bed.
You know I'll never sleep no more
The artist is unable to sleep and may have been traumatized by their previous experience.
It seem to me that it just ain't wise
The singer thinks that it is unwise to experience whatever they went through.
Didja ever wake up in the mornin'
The singer is asking if the listener has ever experienced a particular phenomenon.
With a ZOMBY WOOF behind your eyes
The artist is using a metaphor to describe a feeling of unease or dread upon waking up.
Just about as evil as you could be
The artist is describing themselves as very sinister or malevolent.
I am the ZOMBY WOOF
The artist is claiming the title of the song and identifying themselves as the subject of the lyrics.
I'm that creature all the ladies been
The singer is saying they are the monster that women are afraid of or fascinated by.
Talkin' about
The artist is emphasizing the fact that the women are discussing and gossiping about them.
They all seek for shelter when I come chargin' out
The singer is saying that they are intimidating or threatening to women, who fear them.
Tellin' you all the Zomby troof
The singer is revealing the truth about themselves and their nature.
Here I'm is, the ZOMBY WOOF
The singer is repeating their claim to the title of the song.
Reety-awrighty, he da ZOMBY WOOF
The artist is expressing approval or excitement for their identity as the Zomby Woof.
They said aw-reety
The artist is implying that others have noticed or recognized their identity as the Zomby Woof.
An' they was aw-righty
The singer is saying that others are accepting or acknowledging their identity as the Zomby Woof.
An' I was a Zomby for you, little lady...
The singer is suggesting that they might have been a threat or danger to the listener in the past.
I got a great big pointed fang
The artist is describing a physical characteristic that is associated with monsters or dangerous animals.
Which is my Zomby Toof
The artist is using a silly or childish way of saying 'tooth'.
My right foot's bigger than my other one is
The artist is describing a physical deformity or abnormality that is associated with monsters or freaks.
Like a reg'lar Zomby Hoof
The singer is comparing their foot to that of a monster or undead creature.
If I raid your dormitorium
The artist is threatening to invade the listener's bedroom or personal space.
Don't try to remain aloof...
The singer is warning the listener not to be distant or unapproachable when they come for them.
I might snatch you up screamin' through the window all nekkid
The singer is describing a violent or sexually aggressive act that they might commit against the listener.
An' do it to you on the roof, don't mess with the
The singer is continuing to describe their violent or sexual intentions for the listener and warning them not to resist or fight back.
ZOMBY WOOF
The artist is repeating their self-identification as the monster of the song.
I am about as evil as a Boogie Man can be!
The artist is emphasizing their wickedness and malevolence compared to other terrifying creatures like the Boogie Man.
Tellin' you all the Zomby Troof
The singer is repeating their claim to be revealing the truth about themselves and their identity as the Zomby Woof.
Here I'm is, the ZOMBY WOOF
The singer is repeating their self-identification as the monster of the song.
Contributed by Brody C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thunderbolt Wisdom
That's probably the most accomplished and technical solo that's ever been played along to a rock tune. Basically, BEST SOLO EVER!
handmadehearts
An amazing solo! Frank Zappa would be proud. I miss Frank. Always will.
Thunderbolt Wisdom
@handmadehearts Yeah dude! Totally! 🤟
MrStevenskiChan
One of the sickest guitar solos of all time!
R Key Co
MrStevenskiChan ........inspired by the Great Zappa!
Monsterdrumma
@Zomby Woof If that is an insult then crazy! That shit was rippin’!
JohnnyStrings
@Zomby Woof true but even by Vai standards he played a nice solo right there. A Vai newbie can watch this and say yep - they've heard Vai.
handmadehearts
Wonderful playing. Steve Vai is a blessing.
Leo Salvo
I keep coming back to this solo.. could well be the greatest rock guitar solo ever!!!!
handmadehearts
2:59 the band is FUNKIFIED