Zappa's earliest influences were 1950s pop and rock (such as doo-wop and rhythm and blues), and 20th-century classical composers including Igor Stravinsky and Edgard Varèse. His output was divided between adventurous instrumental compositions and succinct, catchy rock songs with ribald, satirical, or comically absurd lyrics. On stage he demanded virtuosity and spontaneity from his musicians, and employed many performers who would later go on to achieve fame in their own rights. He directed and released a number of films featuring himself, his musicians and entourage, including 200 Motels and Baby Snakes.
His career started in 1955. His earliest recordings date from the mid-1960s, and include collaborations with his school friend Captain Beefheart. In 1965 he joined a bar-band called The Soul Giants, quickly dominating its musical direction and rechristening it The Mothers. Their first release (as The Mothers of Invention; the name alteration requested by their record company) was the 1966 double album Freak Out!. The line-up of the Mothers gradually expanded to accommodate Zappa's increasingly ambitious and avant-garde music, but by 1969 he decided to work outside the band structure, focusing on his solo career, and effectively disbanding the Mothers in 1971.
The beginnings of his solo career in the late sixties and early seventies was characterised by a strong free jazz influence, with albums containing little, if any, lyrical content, such as Hot Rats, Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo. Towards the mid-seventies his albums became more rock-orientated, with a combination of Jazz Fusion instrumentation and Rock song structures. This more accessible sound bore reasonable mainstream appeal, especially with the release of the well-advertised albums Over-Nite Sensation and Apostrophe (') (which both went Gold), but Zappa's unpredictably eclectic output never led to solid mainstream recognition. He received uniformly lukewarm reviews from popular music publications such as Rolling Stone throughout his career. In his late seventies' output, the gulf between his humorous songs and more lengthy, complex instrumental music widened, and albums, such as Zappa in New York, Joe's Garage: Acts I, II & III, and Sleep Dirt displayed, by track, both sides firmly segregated.
Zappa saw a second run of success in the early eighties with the release of many albums with predominantly comedic rock songs, but later continued to experiment with virtually every style of music through the eighties, and was productive as ever until his death. His output in this later-career period included two albums of strikingly original classical music with the London Symphony Orchestra, an electronic take on 18th-century chamber music (written by the obscure Italian composer 'Francesco Zappa', no relation), an album of Synclavier compositions (misleadingly titled Jazz From Hell which garnered a Grammy award), a double-CD release of electric guitar instrumental music (the laconically titled Guitar) and a plenitude of official live releases, revisiting fan-favourites as well as showcasing Zappa's talent for reinventing the music of others; his version of Stairway to Heaven becoming a word-of-mouth favourite.
Zappa produced almost all of his own albums, spending many hours in the studio recording and manipulating tracks, and was always at the forefront of emerging technologies; from tape editing, collage, multitrack and overdubbing in the sixties to digital recording, electronic instruments and sampling in the eighties. Conversely, Zappa was also a obsessive self-archivist, recording virtually every one of his live performances, and often using live recordings of new material without needing to enter the studio. The archive of tapes at his family home in Los Angeles continues to be a source of posthumous releases for the Zappa Family Trust. He was also noted as a spotter of talent and his shifting line-up of musicians included Lowell George, Jean-Luc Ponty, Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, George Duke, Mike Keneally, Adrian Belew and Steve Vai, as well as giving Alice Cooper his first break in music and working again with his old collaborator Captain Beefheart when his career was in decline.
In the late 1980s he became active in politics, campaigning against the PMRC's music censorship scheme and acting as culture and trade representative for Czechoslovakia in 1989; and considered running as an independent candidate for president of the US.
His death in Los Angeles, California, on 4th December 1993 came three years after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
I'm on Duty
Frank Zappa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"I AM ON DUTY"
On duty on duty
On duty i'm on duty
I'm on duty i'm on duty
I'm duty, duty, duty, duty, oh, duty!
(Good God) duty!
Duty) i'm on duty!
(Duty) i'm on Duty!
(Duty) duty, duty, duty, etc
And whenever I say that to 'em
When I'm going through customs, they
Always look back at me and
They say, "Come on, Frank
Tell us the truth what are you really
ON? I mean, you can't possibly expect us
With our uniforms and our submachine guns
To think that you're just, I mean, what are
You ON?" An' I just say, "I'm on duty!"
I'm on duty! I'm on duty!
I'm on duty!
Y'know, there was a time when I wasn't really
On duty there was a time when, well
Let's just say there wasn't any need for
My services, because, well
Y'know, sometimes a guy gets
Unemployed but today
I've found work i've found happiness
Because I'm one of
The few Americans who actually
Is on duty y'know
What I mean? Hey, now look! So, well
Let's just go right into that
Song then, and keep doing it
Until their film runs out, what
The hey we're on duty, aren't
We? OK, because later
You can all have a pizza!
The lyrics to Frank Zappa's song "I'm on Duty" express a sense of self-assuredness and purpose amidst the scrutiny and questions from others. The repetition of the phrase "I am on duty" emphasizes the singer's commitment to their responsibilities and the confidence with which they approach their duties. It is a declaration that they are actively engaged and focused on fulfilling their obligations.
The lyrics also hint at the skepticism and curiosity of those around the singer. The reference to customs suggests a situation where the singer is being scrutinized by authorities or individuals in positions of power. The uniformed officials question what the singer is truly "on" or involved in, as they find it difficult to believe that someone can be so dedicated without some ulterior motive. However, the singer dismisses their suspicions by reaffirming their commitment to duty.
The song's tone becomes comical with Zappa's playful delivery and the inclusion of the phrase "I'm on duty" in various vocal styles and repetitions. The lyrics highlight the absurdity of societal expectations and the singer's refusal to conform to them. The mention of finding work and happiness also suggests that being "on duty" is a source of fulfillment and purpose for the singer, contrasting with the notion of being unemployed or aimless.
Overall, "I'm on Duty" can be interpreted as a satirical commentary on the societal pressures to conform, while celebrating the individual's choice to embrace their own sense of duty and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
An I just look back at 'em and I say
I confidently observe their reactions and respond with determination
"I AM ON DUTY"
I am actively engaged in fulfilling my responsibilities
On duty on duty
Committed and focused on my assigned tasks
On duty i'm on duty
I am fully dedicated to my obligations
I'm on duty i'm on duty
My commitment to duty is unwavering
I'm duty, duty, duty, duty, oh, duty!
I am completely devoted to fulfilling my duties
(Good God) duty!
My devotion to duty is profound and admirable
Duty! (Duty! Duty) i'm on duty!
I am resolute in my duty and ready to fulfill my responsibilities
(Duty) i'm on Duty!
I am fully responsible for carrying out my duties
(Duty) duty, duty, duty, etc
My commitment to duty is endless and continuous
And whenever I say that to 'em
Whenever I express my dedication to duty to others
When I'm going through customs, they
When I am being examined by customs officials
Always look back at me and
They consistently turn their attention towards me and
They say, "Come on, Frank
They ask me persuasively, 'Please, Frank
Tell us the truth what are you really
Be honest with us, what are you truly
ON? I mean, you can't possibly expect us
Currently involved in? It is implausible for us to assume
With our uniforms and our submachine guns
Given our attire and weaponry
To think that you're just, I mean, what are
To believe that you are merely, I mean, what are
You ON?" An' I just say, "I'm on duty!"
You engaged in?" And I simply respond, 'I am committed to fulfilling my duties!'
I'm on duty! I'm on duty!
I am actively fulfilling my responsibilities!
Y'know, there was a time when I wasn't really
You know, there was a period when I was not truly
On duty there was a time when, well
Committed to my obligations; there was a time when, well
Let's just say there wasn't any need for
Allow me to state that there was no requirement for
My services, because, well
My assistance, because, well
Y'know, sometimes a guy gets
You know, sometimes an individual becomes
Unemployed but today
Jobless, but today
I've found work i've found happiness
I have discovered employment and contentment
Because I'm one of
Because I am among
The few Americans who actually
The scarce Americans who genuinely
Is on duty y'know
Are responsibly carrying out their duties, you know
What I mean? Hey, now look! So, well
Do you understand what I am saying? Hey, pay attention now! So, well
Let's just go right into that
Let us immediately transition to that
Song then, and keep doing it
Song then, and continue performing it
Until their film runs out, what
Until their film for recording ends, what
The hey we're on duty, aren't
The heck, we are on duty, aren't
We? OK, because later
We? Alright, because afterwards
You can all have a pizza!
You all can enjoy a pizza!
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Vincent Zappa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob Whitworth
This really should be the official state song of Montana. Every time I drove across the border up I-15 from Idaho, I had this song playing in my head. Every...time.
Mike Bowden
absolutely !
Daniel Land
Yup!👍😜🍺🍺🤪🏌️♂️😊
Just A Cup
@G E LOL, for realz.
Michael Kenna
@Stäni Steinbock
Nice addition to the comments !
Michael Kenna
👍
Arkadia Moon
I have a great admiration for any artist who can't be confined in a genre, but takes genres, drops them in a mixmaster, and makes them over into something totally other that can't be labelled as anything other than that artist's work. Frank Zappa was one of these geniuses. Kudos forever to his name.
jp codnia
@Draculaque yeepy-ontana-yaaaay !!!
Suitable ending
Jesse Wipert
Mike Patton
TheCyVirus
Check out Mr. Bungle and their self titled album. One of the greatest pieces of musical art