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.
SEX
Frank Zappa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steve vai (guitar, acoustic guitar)
Ray white (guitar, vocals)
Roy estrada (vocals)
Bob harris (boy soprano)
Ike willis (vocals)
Bobby martin (keyboards, saxophone, vocals)
Tommy mars (keyboards)
Ed mann (percussion)
Scott thunes (bass)
Chad wackerman (drums)
Vinnie colaiuta (drums)
Craig steward (harmonica)
Dick fegy (mandolin)
Marty krystall (saxophone)
What's the ting that they's talkin' about everywhere?
Sex
When they wanna be suave 'n' debonair
Sex
What's poppin' up the most from coast to coast
Sex
At yer bongo party an' yer weenie roast
Sex
Even them christians who are born again
Sex
Go out 'n' get pooched every now 'n' then
Sex
Do ya do or don't ya don't
Sex
Bet yer lyin' if ya say ya won't
Sex
Some girls try it 'n' go on a diet
Then they worry 'cause they's too fat
Who wants t'ride on a ironin' board?
That ain't no fun...i tried me one
Grow that meat all over yer bones
Work the wall with the local jones
'n' while you do it, remember this line
The sniffer says it all the time
"the bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
The bigger the cushion..."
Makes no difference if you're young or old
Sex
Don't you act like it's made of gold
Sex
Ladies they need it just like the guys
Sex
Maybe you could use a protein surprise
Sex
Any time, anywhere
Sex
Why d'ya think it's growin' there
Sex
Some girls try it 'n' they don't like it
They complain 'cause it don't last
Who wants to ride on a debutante?
They talks too much...they moves too fast
Watch the scenery while you ride
You can be very warm inside
'n' when the train goes 'round the bend
Check the shrub'ry on the other end
"the bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
The bigger the cushion..."
The song "Sex" by Frank Zappa is a satire on society's obsession with sex. The lyrics provide a commentary on the cultural importance placed on sex and the different attitudes towards it. Zappa sings about how sex is something that is frequently talked about and pursued, even by those who claim to be religious. He also tackles the issue of body image and how women are often pressured into trying to conform to a certain physical ideal. Zappa advises listeners to focus less on the size and shape of their bodies and more on enjoying the act of sex itself. He also critiques the notion that sex is something rare and precious, arguing that it is a natural and common human experience.
Zappa's use of multiple instruments and vocalists creates a layered and dynamic sound that captures the energy and complexity of the subject matter. The song features guitar solos by Steve Vai and Ray White, and vocals by Roy Estrada, Ike Willis, and Bobby Martin. Bob Harris provides the high-pitched boy soprano voice that sings the refrain "The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'" throughout the song. The sarcastic tone of the lyrics is enhanced by the use of a drum machine, which lends a somewhat robotic sound to the track.
Overall, "Sex" is a clever and humorous critique of society's obsession with sex and the different attitudes people have towards it. Through his biting lyrics and complex musical arrangements, Frank Zappa provides a thought-provoking commentary on a topic that is often controversial and taboo.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the ting that they's talkin' about everywhere?
What is the subject that people are discussing everywhere?
When they wanna be suave 'n' debonair
When they want to be sophisticated and charming
What's poppin' up the most from coast to coast
What is the most widespread topic across the country?
At yer bongo party an' yer weenie roast
During your drumming party and your outdoor frankfurter barbecue
Even them christians who are born again
Even the Christians who are spiritually reborn
Go out 'n' get pooched every now 'n' then
Occasionally go out and have sex
Do ya do or don't ya don't
Do you or do you not engage in sexual activity?
Bet yer lyin' if ya say ya won't
You would be dishonest if you claimed you wouldn't
Some girls try it 'n' go on a diet
Some women attempt it and then try to lose weight
Then they worry 'cause they's too fat
Then they become anxious because they believe they are overweight
Who wants t'ride on a ironin' board?
Who enjoys having sex with someone who has no curves?
That ain't no fun...i tried me one
It's not enjoyable... I've tried it before
Grow that meat all over yer bones
Gain some weight and muscle mass
Work the wall with the local jones
Engage in sexual activity with someone in the immediate area
'n' while you do it, remember this line
And whilst doing so, recall this rhyme
The sniffer says it all the time
The one who sniffs says it repeatedly
"the bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
"The larger the buttocks, the more pleasurable the experience
The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
The more generous the rear end, the more satisfying the sex
The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
The greater the size of the posterior, the more enjoyable the intercourse
The bigger the cushion..."
The bigger the buttocks..."
Makes no difference if you're young or old
Age does not matter
Don't you act like it's made of gold
Don't behave as though it's precious
Ladies they need it just like the guys
Women require it as much as men
Maybe you could use a protein surprise
Perhaps you could benefit from a protein-rich treat
Any time, anywhere
Anywhere and at any time
Why d'ya think it's growin' there
Why do you think it exists there?
Some girls try it 'n' they don't like it
Some women try it and don't enjoy it
They complain 'cause it don't last
They complain because it doesn't endure
Who wants to ride on a debutante?
Who wishes to have sex with a young woman of upper-class society?
They talks too much...they moves too fast
They talk excessively and move too quickly
Watch the scenery while you ride
Observe the surroundings while you have sex
You can be very warm inside
You can feel quite snug on the interior
'n' when the train goes 'round the bend
And when the train goes around the curve
Check the shrub'ry on the other end
Inspect the foliage at the other side
"the bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
"The larger the buttocks, the more pleasurable the experience
The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
The more generous the rear end, the more satisfying the sex
The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'
The greater the size of the posterior, the more enjoyable the intercourse
The bigger the cushion..."
The bigger the buttocks..."
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Vincent Zappa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rosario508
My first Zappa album! I bought it at a yard sale in the front of the Unitarian Church in Provincetown MA in 1985.
@yeahh8402
That's the comments I like.
@ToddCrispies
Best dude ever.
@turloghobrien6631
Zappa my HERO!
@andrewwilliams9599
Five years before Sir Mix A Lot proclaimed his love for big butts, Spinal Tap and Frank Zappa were there.
@yeahh8402
Best Zappa song. Call me dumb.
@andrewwilliams9599
No, cause I FUCKIN LOVE IT TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@bunnygirl893
It's really good
@ToddCrispies
I'll call you a genius.
@TarantuLandoCalcuLingus
Its either this or weasels ripped my flesh for my favorite zappa album cover