They Made Me Eat It
Frank Zappa Lyrics


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Girl 1: WhatÂ's it like when... when they play piano ? Does it hurt your ears ?

Larry: No, I found a corner.

Girl 1: Yeah.

Larry: Yeah.
Girl 1: Soundproof.

Larry: Well, not really soundproof but it doesnÂ't bother you as much as outside...you you snek in.

Girl 1: Lucky you found such a big piano, you know.

Larry: You sneak under the back, see ? Way here down here. Get way down here here inside and when you hide in the corner, nobody can find you. See, they canÂ't here nothing Â'cause itÂ's cushioned.





Girl 1 and Larry appear in another area.

Overall Meaning

"They Made Me Eat It" by Frank Zappa is a song that seems to discuss the experience of outsiders in the music industry. The lyrics provided above are heard in a spoken interlude where two people, named Larry and Girl 1, are discussing the sound of pianos. Larry explains that he has found a corner where he can hide under the back of a large piano and not be bothered by the noise. He describes the piano's insulation as cushioned and says that when he hides in the corner, nobody can find him.


The lyrics can be interpreted in a few different ways. One possible interpretation is that they reflect Zappa's own experience as a musician and composer who often worked in unconventional styles and had a reputation for being difficult to categorize. In this interpretation, the corner where Larry hides could represent Zappa's position on the fringes of the music world, where he could create without being bothered by the noise of the mainstream. The idea of the cushioned insulation could symbolize the protective layer around Zappa's art, which allowed him to experiment and explore without fear of criticism or rejection.


Another possible interpretation of these lyrics is that they reflect a more general sense of alienation or outsider status. Larry's hiding place under the piano could represent the way that some people may feel marginalized or disconnected in a society that values conformity and tradition. The idea of cushioned insulation could represent the safety of isolation, which can protect against the discomfort of being outside the norm.


Overall, "They Made Me Eat It" is a complex and ambiguous song that offers many interpretations. The lyrics provided above are just a small piece of the larger work, which includes references to pornography, censorship, and social stigma. The song is a good example of Zappa's eclectic and often challenging style, which combined elements of rock, jazz, and classical music, as well as his satirical approach to the music world and beyond.


Line by Line Meaning

Girl 1: What's it like when... when they play piano ? Does it hurt your ears ?
Girl 1 inquires about the loudness of the piano and its impact on the ears


Larry: No, I found a corner.
Larry implies that he found a secluded spot to avoid the noise


Girl 1: Yeah.
Girl 1 acknowledges Larry's response


Larry: Yeah.
Larry responds affirmatively


Girl 1: Soundproof.
Girl 1 suggests that a soundproof room would have been ideal


Larry: Well, not really soundproof but it doesn't bother you as much as outside...you snek in.
Larry clarifies that it's not entirely soundproof but it's better than being outside and he snuck in somehow


Girl 1: Lucky you found such a big piano, you know.
Girl 1 admires the size of the piano


Larry: You sneak under the back, see ? Way here down here. Get way down here here inside and when you hide in the corner, nobody can find you. See, they canÂ't here nothing Â'cause itÂ's cushioned.
Larry explains how he was able to get to the secluded corner and mentions that the cushioning helps muffle the noise


Girl 1 and Larry appear in another area.
The scene changes to a different area




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