Frank Vincent Zappa (born December 21, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, United … Read Full Bio ↴Frank Vincent Zappa (born December 21, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States – December 4, 1993 in Los Angeles, California, United States) was an American composer, guitarist, singer, bandleader and producer. He was one of the most prolific musicians of his time, releasing over fifty albums of original material spanning over a thirty-five year career.

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.

Mother People
Frank Zappa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Frank zappa (guitar, piano, lead vocals)
Billy mundi (drums, vocals, yak)
Bunk gardner (woodwinds)
Roy estrada (electric bass, vocals)
Don preston (retired)
Jimmy carl black (drums, trumpet, vocals)
Ian underwood (piano, woodwinds)
Motorhead sherwood (soprano, baritone saxophone)

Suzy creamcheese (telephone)
Dick barber (snorks)

Do it again!
Do it again!

We are the other people
We are the other people
You're the other people too
Found a way to get to you...
Do you think that I'm crazy?
Out of my mind?
Do you think that I creep in the night
And sleep in a phone booth?
Lemme take a minute & tell you my plan
Lemme take a minute & tell who I am
If it doesn't show
Think you better know
I'm another person
Do you think that my pants are too tight
Do you think that I'm creepy?
Lemme take a minute & tell you my plan
Lemme take a minute & tell who I am
If it doesn't show
Think you better know
I'm another person (the verse that really
Goes here has been censored out &
Recorded backwards in a special section
At the end of side one...)
We are the other people
We are the other people
You're the other people too
Found a way to get to you
We are the other people
We are the other people
You're the other people too
Found a way to get to you
Do you think that I love you...
Stupid & blind?
Do you think that I dream through the
Night
Of holding you near me?

Lemme take a minute & tell you my plan
Lemme take a minute & tell who I am
If it doesn't show

Think you better know
I'm another person

Overall Meaning

In Frank Zappa's song "Mother People," he portrays an image of the counter-culture, the group of people who do not conform to the mainstream. The repetition of the phrase, "We are the other people," emphasizes the sense of alienation that these people feel from the rest of society. They are aware that they are different, and they accept it. The lines "Do you think that I'm crazy? Out of my mind?" suggest that the society sees these people as insane because they do not fit into the mold of conformity. However, the song maintains the counter-culture's notions of individuality and free-thinking. It is also interesting to note that he equates himself with the "other people," taking the position of a like-minded individual and bringing a sense of unity to the song.

Zappa also uses irony in the last verse, with the lines "Do you think that I love you… Stupid & blind? / Do you think that I dream through the night / Of holding you near me?" Zappa mocks the romantic ideals of mainstream society that often disregard anything that is different. The song suggests that there's a vast otherness in the world that is misunderstood, underappreciated, and ostracized.

Line by Line Meaning

Do it again!
The singer is urging someone to repeat a previous action.

We are the other people
The singer and their group identify as outsiders and are addressing others who may also feel like outsiders.

You're the other people too
The singer is acknowledging that others may not fit into societal norms.

Found a way to get to you...
The artist has found a way to connect with this group of outsiders and make their message heard.

Do you think that I'm crazy? Out of my mind?
The artist poses a question to challenge the audience's assumptions about them and their message.

Do you think that I creep in the night And sleep in a phone booth?
The singer is addressing rumors or assumptions that they are strange or dangerous.

Lemme take a minute & tell you my plan Lemme take a minute & tell who I am If it doesn't show Think you better know I'm another person
The singer is taking a moment to explain themselves and their intentions clearly, to counteract any confusion or misconceptions.

Do you think that my pants are too tight Do you think that I'm creepy?
The artist continues to challenge negative assumptions about them, but also acknowledges that their appearance may be unconventional.

We are the other people We are the other people You're the other people too Found a way to get to you
The chorus is repeated to emphasize the sense of shared experience and community among outsiders.

Do you think that I love you... Stupid & blind? Do you think that I dream through the Night Of holding you near me?
The artist is challenging the assumptions that they are not capable of love or desire, or that their desires are deviant.

I'm another person (the verse that really Goes here has been censored out & Recorded backwards in a special section At the end of side one...)
The verse is censored, implying that the singer's message may be threatening or controversial, and the format of the recording itself is non-traditional and challenging to norms.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

johnny zell

5y↑23

We are the other people
We are the other people
We are the other people
You're the other people too
Found a way to get to you...
Do you think that I'm crazy?
Out of my mind?
Do you think that I creep in the night
And sleep in a phone booth?
Lemme take a minute & tell you my plan
Lemme take a minute & tell who I am
If it doesn't show,
Think you better know
I'm another person
Do you think that my pants are too tight?
Do you think that I'm creepy?
Lemme take a minute & tell you my plan
Lemme take a minute & tell who I am
If it doesn't show
Think you better know
I'm another person
Better look around before you say you don't care
Shut your fuckin' mouth about the length of my hair
How would you survive
If you were alive
Shitty little person?
We are the other people
We are the other people
We are the other people
You're the other people too
Found a way to get to you
We are the other people
We are the other people
We are the other people
You're the other people too
Found a way to get to you
Do you think that I love you...
Stupid & blind?
Do you think that I dream through the night
Of holding you near me?
Lemme take a minute & tell you my plan
Lemme take a minute & tell who I am
If it doesn't show
Think you better know
I'm another person

All comments from YouTube:

Greasy TacoMeat

4y↑18

Woke up this morning with this song in my head.

AOR & Metal Appreciator

3y↑17

This song always makes me giggle. I don't know if any others agree with this but I think this album is actually one of Zappa's "catchiest". But I'm also glad the Mothers didn't go on for his entire career and that we got all that other great stuff post-'70

TarantuLando CalCuLingus

Its my favorite.... i think!

Phil Mann

2y↑2

This song creeped me out after I first heard it as an adolescent when released. Yet it remains one of my favorites. (And I still get a creepy vibe, even now.) Zappa was a true musical genius.

ImLouToday

4y↑6

This is the link to the entire album with every original word in type, including all the background commentary of the many various voices uttering snippets inside the songs. A fantastic piece of work for the compilation and with it, plus Frank's insight, you'll instantly get a level of understanding that the most have never realized unless they grew up in the era.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9F85F7NAcw

Orpheus of Thrace

39w

The vid's down

Stoned Meadow Of Doom

3y↑17

Best song on the album

Knastvogel

45w

Hey, nice to see you here

tee bizz

6y↑10

one of my faves !!! best percussion.

John Delmos

So incredible ❤

johnny zell

5y↑23

RelievedBison90

5y↑1

johnny zell why do you always do the lyrics of the songs?

Grandpa Theobald

5y↑5

The part about the "hair" is actually missing, this is the censored version.

RelievedBison90

Grandpa Theobald okay!

Russell Moxham

4y↑2

Well done. Have some more cake.

John Delmos

Omg Ty for posting the lyrics this recording was censored the part about long hair so excellent frank zappa is a my hero

Coffee Junkie

4y↑11

Always thought that this whole album was about either different years of the 60s or about hippie culture in general and this song feels like it's about Charles Manson

Flsun Racer

3y↑8

coffee you had to be there

Scott Reppert

3y↑21

Featured in the next to last episode of "The Monkees" ("Monkees Blow Their Minds") where Mike Nesmith plays Frank Zappa and Frank Zappa plays Mike Nesmith...

Paul Drake

3y↑2

Up until now I thought this was a Monkees song. I was very young when that episode aired on TV so my memories were sketchy. Thanks for the info.

ImLouToday

4y↑5

This song playing here is the edited version of the original, there are several distinct differences from the album, several songs were changed. Frank acquiesced. Follow the lyrics a wiser man published just below, they are original lyrics. There are major differences, major pieces missing here and lesser in other places on this album. Don't be fooled by the guise of sensitivity training perhaps, where the artist lyrics can be edited by the morality police on their own, decades later, out of their self created importance, without a shred of credibility or accomplishment that his ground breaking and awarded work of art the original album actually is. The editing was done decades after this 1967 release. The major details are the gutting of this album where several songs had words and passages edited out, and an approximation created to smooth the artificial transitions. Caught between a rock and a hard place, decades later, this album was acknowledged and rewarded as one of the 200 most influential albums of all time (something like that - google it). When approached to be honored with the award, Frank declined saying this is an award for someone else's work (the editing of his lyrics, the very thing he fought for so long with the condom wearing ladies of the PMRC). Go Frank! Too little know too little about the large battles you waged in your music and life. No wonder there's conspiracy theories about your death, the result of the popular notion you would have run for president. Wish it happened, there might have been a level playing field once and for all. this is the link to the entire album with every original word in type, including all the bakground commentary of the many varous voices uttering snippets inside the songs. A fantastic piece of work for the compilation and with it, plus Frank's insight, you'll instantly get a level of understanding that the most have never realized unless they grew up in the era. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9F85F7NAcw

mrheem44

Highly Essential

Julian Vera

Video isn't available

Clive Clerkenville

2y↑1

Quite brilliant : Frank saw all.

Russell Moxham

4y↑7

The song is pretty much sterile with "Better look around before you say you don't care/Shut your fuckin' mouth about the length of my hair" edited out

MarkGrindell

Zappa was agitated but he didn't really hate hippies; if you read the LP insert, you can readily deduce that he was terrified after a series of nightmares? dreams? premonitions? about what would happen to these people. I know about his rhetoric but very much of his output seems to include some kind of compassion. His fears were to a large extent justified; but maybe people DID listen and took heed. You can only hope.

Kontrast

4y↑2

Two words: MOTHER. PEOPLE.

Chief Whitenoise

46w↑1

If Zappa was still around and running against Trxmp - I'd have a dilemma 🙃

x yz

5y↑2

Brilliant!

Sean Cooke

3y↑4

Shout out to anyone here because Biffy Clyro opened with this song at Glasgow Green 2021 - Mon the Biff!

Kris Davis

6y↑5

Early Blast Beat. Billy Mundi was a beast.

Thomas Sullivan

4y↑1

Billy was my favorite Mothers drummer!

Kakha Khmelidze

3y↑2

Unique Frank.

Johannes Musssosein

Dave Pike's Cover Version of this One, is also heavy!

Austin Baird

7y↑3

amaaaaazing

DAVID BRITTON

4y↑10

"LUV THAT ALBUM COVER"!!!!!!!☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆\♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

DoctorPatient

my God- it's been ages since I really looked at it closely ... a remarkable and rather humorous achievement, an obvious take-off on the Sgt Pepper's cover ... the cover designer, Cal Schenkel, sits holding a carton of eggs (?) in the lower right hand corner ... and yes, that IS Jimi Hendrix standing to Frank's left ... one can only imagine what sort of playing and guitar idea exchange happened after this photo shoot ... somewhat noteworthy in this cover are both Lee Harvey Oswald -- the moment he got shot -- and the white cowboy hat-wearin' officer who was to the left of Jack Ruby at the moment ... Oswald is in the upper right, with his eyes not obscured by the famous black bar seen over the eyes of many other persons here, and the officer is lower middle to the right of Jimmy Carl Black in the picture ... like the amazing list of names on the inside left cover of the first Mothers album, it's interesting to browse the bizarre collection of personalities pictured here

Pizza Hoot

Thank you you Nathan Nathan for this nice video.

Clive Clerkenville

Brilliant

Clive Clerkenville

Genius

Hélio Romano

3y↑3

2:08 the lick

ColtsFanSince1958

3y↑2

The Mothers of Invention Sincerely Regret to Inform You

Dan Doyle

Say, that Frank Zappa has some schoolgirl legs in that mini, he is in the game!

Nick Sobek

6y↑28

1:02 Where SOAD got their sound

Xander Xander

Kind of the whole song, really. But definitely at 1:02.

Crimson Kng

Really? I know like one SOAD song (Prison song). Which other(s) would I like?

riptidejim

5y↑3

@Crimson Kng know, byob, and shimmy

Croix

i was thinking the exact same thing

DAVID BRITTON

4y↑2

AWSOME....AWSOME.............AWSOME!!!!!! YES!!!! THE BEST!!!! {☆☆☆☆☆}-&-《♡♡♡♡♡》-!!! DJB@NEPA..DJB43.......U.S.A.....!!! WOE-WEEEEEEE!!!!

Dan Doyle

When was the last time you heard anyone ask how come your pants are too tight? It comes up from the creep zone of people who sleep in phonebooths and public toilets.

Dan Doyle

For they ( phone booths and toilettes, rocks & garbage) are not blessed by you who condemn--therefore they are Blessed. by ...(chee)

Dreamwell

3y↑1

Other people are important.

Paul Drake

3y↑2

Recalling an old Peanuts strip where a grumpy Lucy asks Charlie Brown, "What are we here for?" Charlie replies "to make each other happy." Lucy ponders this for a moment, then exclaims "Somebody's not doing their job!!!"