Combining elements of jazz, pop and funk, this New York City-based group creates a singular sound with memorable melodies and unique, sophisticated harmonies. Fronted by the clear sultry voice of singer songwriter Elizabeth Ziman, they are attracting a buzz from the music press.
Ziman wrote her first song at age six, banging out melodies on an old upright in a Greenwich Village laundry room. A born romantic, Ziman transformed the music of Debussy, molding it to the driving rhythms of the washer and dryer. With Debussy and Bach on her left and the Beatles just to her right, Elizabeth quickly developed a sound all her own. Her “Baroque” pop songs have frequently been compared to those of Rufus Wainright, Fiona Apple and Laura Nyro. Elizabeth received the ASCAP Leiber and Stoller award in 2001 for her song “Like Water is to Sand”. From two years, she toured across the U.S. with soul queen Patti Austin, who kicked off her tour at Lincoln Center in 2003. Ziman has also performed with Enya, singing with her on Regis and Kelly as well as the CBS Morning Show. Comprised of Elizabeth Ziman (vocals, keys), Danny Molad (drums), and Peter Lalish (guitar), Elizabeth and the Catapult came into existence in 2004.
Ziman has performed extensively in New York City and Boston (The Knitting Factory, The Living Room, Rockwood Music Hall, The Cutting Room, The Middle East, T.T. The Bears). They completed their S-T EP and promoted the album on ‘soundcheck’ with John Shaefer(WNYC) in April. They have opened for national headliners like Jessie Harris, Kirk Kirkwood (of Meat Puppets fame), The Wood Brothers (featuring Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin, and Wood), and Amanda Palmer. They were spotlighted in the fall issue of Northeast Performer and the featured Billboard Underground Artist in October 2006.
Momma's Boy
Elizabeth & The Catapult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go find another, go find another one.
You only call me when you're lifes goin under,
I'm not just a cover, not just a cover.
And then you wana be the tough guy, with the appetite,
Well I'm not gonna stop you.
But if you're looking for a bed to recover on,
Go find another one, go find another one.
And you're a grown boy, such a grown boy.
Don't expect the world to clean up for you,
'Cus they don't have to
Don't expect the stars to line up for you,
They'll shine right past you.
You seem to think, you always get exactly what you ask
For
But I'm not your mother.
If you wana girl to be you're mother,
Go find another, go find another one.
You only call me when you're down on your dollar
I'm not just a cover, not just a cover.
And then you wana be the tough guy, with the appetite,
You wana eat your cake, don't ya?
But if you're looking for a bed to recover on,
Go find another one, go find another one.
And you're a grown boy, such a grown boy.
Don't expect the world,
Don't expect the world;
Don't expect the world to clean up for you,
'Cus they don't have to
Don't expect the stars to line up for you,
They'll shine right past you.
You seem to think, you always get exactly what you ask
For
But I'm not your mother.
If you wana girl to be you're mother,
Go find another, go find another one.
You only call me when you're lifes goin under,
I'm not just a cover, not just a cover, oh...
The lyrics to Elizabeth & The Catapult's "Momma's Boy" are a bold and powerful message to a man who wants a woman to take care of him like a mother would. The song is a rejection of this kind of dependency and emphasizes that the woman is not just a "cover" for the man's struggles. She tells him that if he wants someone to fill that role, he needs to go find another woman. The chorus repeatedly reminds him that she is not his mother and he should not expect the world to revolve around him.
The second verse is particularly biting, telling the man that he is a "grown boy" who should not expect others to clean up after him or make his life easier. The imagery of the stars shining past him is particularly effective, suggesting that even the cosmos are not interested in indulging his desires. The repeated line "But I'm not your mother" drives home the point that the woman is not interested in filling that role and wants the man to take responsibility for himself.
Overall, "Momma's Boy" is a strong and unapologetic message to men who look for women to take on a mothering role in their lives. The lyrics emphasize self-sufficiency and personal responsibility, rejecting the idea that someone else should be responsible for another person's well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
If you wana girl to be you're mother,
If you want a partner that takes care of you like a mother, look for someone else.
Go find another, go find another one.
Look for another partner that suits your needs better.
You only call me when you're lifes goin under,
You only come to me when you need help or comfort in tough times.
I'm not just a cover, not just a cover.
I am not someone to be used as a temporary distraction or a facade to hide behind.
And then you wana be the tough guy, with the appetite,
You try to act tough and demanding, expecting others to cater to your desires.
Well I'm not gonna stop you.
I won't try to control or hinder your behavior.
But if you're looking for a bed to recover on,
If you need a place to rest and rejuvenate, you should look elsewhere.
Go find another one, go find another one.
You should seek another place to recover or seek help.
And you're a grown boy, such a grown boy.
You are an adult, and should take responsibility for yourself like one.
Don't expect the world to clean up for you,
Do not rely on the world or others to fix your problems or mistakes.
Cus they don't have to
They are not obligated to do so.
Don't expect the stars to line up for you,
Do not expect everything to go the way you want it to without effort or cooperation on your part.
They'll shine right past you.
Things may happen without your control or influence, regardless of your expectations or desires.
You seem to think, you always get exactly what you ask For
You seem to believe that you should always get what you want or need, without considering other peoples' boundaries or circumstances.
But I'm not your mother.
I am not responsible for your well-being or behavior as a mother figure would be.
Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ELIZABETH ZIMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind