Do you know what you are?
You are what… Read Full Bio ↴You Are What You Is lyrics
Do you know what you are?
You are what you is
You is what you am
(A cow don't make ham...)
You ain't what you're not
So see what you got
You are what you is
An' that's all it 'tis
A foolish young man
From a middle class fam'ly
Started singin' the blues
'Cause he thought it was manly
Now he talks like the Kingfish
("Saffiiiee!")
From Amos 'n Andy
("Holy mack'l dere. . .Holy mack'l dere")
He tells you that chitlins. . .
Well, they taste just like candy
He thinks that he's got
De whole thang down
From the Nivea Lotion To de Royal Crown
Do you know what you are?
You are what you is
You is what you am
(A cow don't make ham. . .)
You ain't what you're not
So see what you got
You are what you is
An' that's all it 'tis
A foolish young man
Of the Negro Persuasion
Devoted his life
To become a Caucasian
He stopped eating pork
He stopped eating greens
He traded his dashiki
("Uhuru!")
For some Jordache Jeans
He learned to play golf
An' he got a good score
Now he says to himself
"I AIN'T NO NIGGER NO MORE.
HEY! HEY!
"I don't understand you. . ."
BWANA MA-COO-BAH"
Would you please speak more clearly..."
MERCEDES BAINNNNNNNZ
Who is who
(I don't know...)
'N what is what
(Somethin' I just don't know...)
'N why is this
(Tell me now...)
Appropriot
(That's a funny pronunciation if 'n ever I heard one...)
If you don't like
(Where'd you get that word?)
What you has got
(Appropriot? The word is not...)
Drop it in the dirt
(Drop it yeah. . .)
'N let it rot
(I can smell it now. . .)
Someone else
(Here de come, here de come...)
Will surely come
(I told you they was comin'. . .)
'N pick it up
(That's right!)
'Cause he wants some
(An'he wants it for free. ..)
And when one day
(There will come a day...)
You wonder who (I wonder too...)
You used to was
(Who I was anyway. . .)
'N what you do
(I used to work at the post office...)
You'll scratch your head
(But I don't wanna un-do my doo. . .)
'N look around
(just to see what's goin' on. . .)
But what you lost
(Can't seem to find it...)
Will not be found
A Mercedes Benz.. Do you know what you are?
(I know...)
You are what you is
(I'm the kinda guy...)
You is what you am
(That ought to be drivin' a Mercedes Benz...)
A cow don't make a ham
(A four-fifty SLC. . .)
You ain't what your not
(A big of red one. . .)
So see what you got
(With some golf clubs stickin' out de trunk.. .)
You are what you is
(I'm gwine down to de links on Saturday mornin'. ..)
An' that's all it is
(Gimme a five dollar bill. . .)
YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS
(And an overcoat too...)
AN' THAT'S ALL IT IS
(Robbie, take me to Creek Town...)
YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS
(I'm harder than yer husband; harder than yer husband...)
AN THAT'S ALL IT IS
(I'm goin down to White Street, y'all...)
YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS
(Gone down to the Mudd Club, 'n work the wall...)
AN THAT'S ALL IT IS
('N work the floor 'n work the pipe
'N work the wall some more. . .
And here we are at the Mudd Club, y'all...
I hîðå you enjoy yourself, cause the show's about
To begin. . .)
You Are What You Is
Frank Zappa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steve vai (guitar)
Ray white (guitar, vocals)
Tommy mars (keyboards)
Chuck wild (piano)
Arthur barrow (bass)
Scott thunes (bass)
Jay anderson (string bass)
Chad wackerman (drums)
Ike willis (vocals)
Terry bozzio (vocals)
Dale bozzio (vocals)
Napoleon murphy brock (vocals)
Bob harris (vocals)
Johnny "guitar" watson (vocals)
Ensemble: (displaying dummy #1)
Do you know what you are?
Thing-fish:
Dat what I ast ya!
Ensemble:
You are what you is you is what you am
Thing-fish:
And dat de trufe!
Ensemble:
(a cow don't make ham...)
Thing-fish:
I meant dat now!
Ensemble:
You ain't what you're not
Thing-fish:
Not even hardly...
Ensemble:
So see what you got
Thing-fish:
And you got a lot o' lookin' t'do, junior!
Ensemble:
You are what you is
Thing-fish:
Dat entirely too correct!
Ensemble:
An' that's all it 'tis!
Thing-fish:
Uh-huhhhh!
Ensemble:
A foolish young man
Thing-fish:
Bring dat dummy ovuh heah 'n show it to 'em!
Ensemble:
Stashed away in san quentim ate de mys'try potatoes
Thing-fish:
Told ya 'bout dem 'taters!
Ensemble:
Evil prince was inventin' now he talk like de thing-fish
Thing-fish: (manipulating the dummy)
("hmmmm, saffiiiee!")
Ensemble:
An' he look like a mammy!
Thing-fish: (manipulating the dummy)
("see de mammy, now! see de mammy, now!")
Ensemble:
His fav'rit co-log-numm...
Thing-fish:
Smell like...
Sister potato head bobby brown, sister ghenghis adonis osmosis, sister jasmine noxema tapioca:
Chitlins!
Ensemble:
Is de one dey call 'sammy'!
Thing-fish:
One-adam-twelve...see de mammy...
Ensemble:
He finally layin'
Thing-fish:
Armed 'n dangerous, reproach wit cautium!
Ensemble:
De whole thang down, 'cept de nivea lotium!
Thing-fish:
Rub it on good, now!
Ensemble:
An de royal crown!
Thing-fish:
Take good care o' dat "ash"!
Ensemble:
Do you know what you are?
Thing-fish:
You's a wimp...she's a shrew!
Ensemble:
You are what you is
Thing-fish:
Got dat?
Ensemble:
You is what you am
Thing-fish:
One-adam-twelve, see de mammy agin'!
Ensemble:
(a cow don't make ham...)
Thing-fish:
And it never will...
Ensemble:
You ain't what you're not,
Thing-fish:
Unless science do somethin' 'bout it!
Ensemble:
So see what you got!
Thing-fish:
I know dey woikin' on it...
Ensemble:
You are what you is,
Thing-fish:
Underneath virginia!
Ensemble:
An' that's all it 'tis!
Thing-fish:
Boog-boogmmm, dano..."mammy one"! they toss dummy number one into the wings, an d introduce dummy number two to harry & rhonda. their torture-chairs, (on a rolling platform), are wheeled to center
E. the action takes place all around them.
Ensemble: (showing dummy #2)
A foolish young man
Of de negro persuasion
Devoted his life
To become a caucasian
He stopped eating pork
He stopped eating greens
He trade his dashiki
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon: (manipulating the dummy)
("uhuru!")
Ensemble:
For some jordache jeans!
He learned to play golf
An' he got a good score
Now he says to himself:
"I ain't no..."
Thing-fish:
"nignint!"
Ensemble:
No more...hey! hey! hey!"
Thing-fish:
One-adam-twelve, see de "nignint" wit knife... proceed wif cautium...knife may be open...
Ensemble:
Bwana ma-coo-bah
Harry:
All right! let's go!
Ensemble:
Mercedes bainnnzzzzz!
Ensemble:
Who is who?
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon: (singing)
I don't know...
Ensemble:
'n what is what
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
Somethin' I just don't know...
Ensemble:
'n why is this
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
Tell me now...
Ensemble:
Appropriot
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
That's a funny pronunciation, if'n ever I heard one!
Ensemble:
If you don't like
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
Where'd you get that word?
Ensemble:
What you has got
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
Appropriot? the word is not!
Ensemble:
Drop it in the dirt
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
Drop it, yeah!
Ensemble:
'n let it rot
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
I can smell it now!
Ensemble:
Someone else
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
Here de come, here de come!
Ensemble:
Will surely come
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
I told you he was comin'!
Ensemble:
'n pick it up
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
That's right!
Ensemble:
'cause he wants some
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
An' he wants it for free!
Ensemble:
And when one day
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
There will come a day!
Ensemble:
You wonder who
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
I wonder too!
Ensemble:
You used to was
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
Who I was, anyway!
Ensemble:
'n what you do
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
I used to work at the post office!
Ensemble:
You'll scratch your head
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
But I don't wanna un-do my doo!
Ensemble:
'n look around
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
To see what's goin' on!
Ensemble:
But what you lost
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
Can't seem to find it!
Ensemble:
Will not be found
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
A mercedes benz!
Ensemble:
Do you know what you are?
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
I know!
Ensemble:
You are what you is
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
I'm the kinda guy...
Ensemble:
You is what you am
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
That ought to be drivin'
Ensemble:
A cow don't make ham
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
A four-fifty slc...
Ensemble:
You ain't what you're not
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
A big ol' red one!
Ensemble:
So see what you got
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
With some golf clubs stickin' out de trunk!
Ensemble:
You are what you is
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
I'm gwine down to de links on Saturday mornin'!
Ensemble:
An' that's all it is
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
Gimme a five dollar bill!
Ensemble:
You are what you is
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
And an overcoat too...
Ensemble:
An' that's all it is
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
Where's my waitress, yeahhhh!
Ensemble:
You are what you is
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
Robbie, take me to greek town!
Ensemble:
An' that's all it is
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
I'm harder than yer husband; harder than yer husband!
Ensemble:
You are what you is
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
I'm goin' down to white street, to the mudd club, y'all!
Ensemble:
An' that's all it is
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
I'm goin' down 'n work the wall! 'n work the floor
Ensemble:
You are what you is
Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon:
'n work the pipe, 'n work the wall some more!
Ensemble:
An' that's all it is
"You Are What You Is" is a satirical song by Frank Zappa, depicting the preconceived notions and stereotypes that society imposes upon individuals. The song warns people to confront their biases and prejudices, as it is easy to stereotype people based on their race, gender, or appearance. In the song, the ensemble members keep repeating "You are what you is, and that's all it 'tis" in different forms, emphasizing that people should not try to change their true identities to fit into societal norms.
The song's lyrics contain many sexually explicit and racist references, which Zappa uses to stimulate dialogue on controversial issues. The use of puppetry and stage production in live performances added an element of political satire. However, Zappa's satirical message seemed to provoke severe reactions from the public, including boycotts, protests, and criticism from some people who misunderstood him to be perpetuating racism.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you know what you are?
Do you understand the nature of your existence?
Thing-fish: Dat what I ast ya!
The character Thing-Fish responds affirmatively to the previous question.
You are what you is you is what you am And dat de trufe! (a cow don't make ham...) I meant dat now!
Your true identity is determined by who you are in the present moment, not what you were in the past or what you could potentially be in the future. This is the truth. And as a side note, cows cannot produce ham.
You ain't what you're not Not even hardly...
The opposite is also true; you cannot be something that you are not.
So see what you got And you got a lot o' lookin' t'do, junior!
Take a closer look at yourself as you are now. You have much to explore, young one.
You are what you is Dat entirely too correct! An' that's all it 'tis! Uh-huhhhh!
Again, your identity is based on who you are at present, and this notion is very true. There is no more to it than that fact.
A foolish young man Bring dat dummy ovuh heah 'n show it to 'em!
This is a reference to a specific character, need not be explained.
Stashed away in san quentim ate de mys'try potatoes Told ya 'bout dem 'taters!
Another reference, seems to be a continuation of a story or joke.
Evil prince was inventin' now he talk like de thing-fish Thing-fish: (manipulating the dummy) ("hmmmm, saffiiiee!") An' he look like a mammy! ("see de mammy, now! see de mammy, now!")
A nonsensical and absurd imagery is taking place here, no discernable meaning.
His fav'rit co-log-numm... Smell like... Sister potato head bobby brown, sister ghenghis adonis osmosis, sister jasmine noxema tapioca: Chitlins! Is de one dey call 'sammy'! One-adam-twelve...see de mammy... He finally layin' Armed 'n dangerous, reproach wit cautium! De whole thang down, 'cept de nivea lotium! Rub it on good, now! An de royal crown! Take good care o' dat "ash"!
More gibberish and absurdity with no clear meaning.
You's a wimp...she's a shrew! Got dat?
A clear and direct insult to someone and a declaration that they are weak and unpleasant to be around.
You is what you am One-adam-twelve, see de mammy agin'! And it never will...
A repetition of the previous idea that one's identity is defined by the present moment. This notion will never change.
You ain't what you're not, Unless science do somethin' 'bout it! So see what you got! I know dey woikin' on it...
Once again, a person cannot be something they are not unless there is a scientific breakthrough that makes it possible. Keep exploring and discovering what you have at present because things may change in the future.
You are what you is, Underneath virginia! Boog-boogmmm, dano..."mammy one"! they toss dummy number one into the wings, an d introduce dummy number two to harry & rhonda. their torture-chairs, (on a rolling platform), are wheeled to center E. the action takes place all around them.
Another reference to an ongoing story or joke, with apparent narrative action taking place around Harry & Rhonda.
Ensemble: (showing dummy #2) Of de negro persuasion Devoted his life To become a Caucasian He stopped eating pork He stopped eating greens He trade his dashiki Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon: (manipulating the dummy) ("uhuru!") For some jordache jeans! He learned to play golf An' he got a good score Now he says to himself: "I ain't no..." "nignint!" No more...hey! hey! hey!" One-adam-twelve, see de "nignint" wit knife... proceed wif cautium...knife may be open...
A story about someone changing their appearance, rejecting some of their cultural values, and taking up new hobbies and fashion trends. The use of a racial slur highlights the absurdity and ignorance of this decision.
Bwana ma-coo-bah Harry: All right! let's go! Mercedes bainnnzzzzz! Who is who? Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon: (singing) I don't know... 'n what is what Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon: Somethin' I just don't know... 'n why is this Tell me now... Appropriot That's a funny pronunciation, if'n ever I heard one!
A nonsensical conversation, with dialogue between characters named Harry and Sister owl-gonkwin-jane cow-hoon discussing a strange pronunciation of the word "appropriate."
If you don't like Where'd you get that word? What you has got Appropriot? the word is not! Drop it in the dirt Drop it, yeah! 'n let it rot I can smell it now! Someone else Here de come, here de come! Will surely come 'n pick it up That's right! 'cause he wants some
A metaphorical reference to the idea that if someone does not approve of you, it is best to ignore them and focus on finding people who appreciate what you have to offer.
And when one day There will come a day! You wonder who I wonder too! You used to was Who I was, anyway! 'n what you do I used to work at the post office! You'll scratch your head But I don't wanna un-do my doo! 'n look around To see what's goin' on! But what you lost Can't seem to find it! Will not be found A mercedes benz! I know! I'm the kinda guy... That ought to be drivin' A cow don't make ham A four-fifty slc... A big ol' red one! With some golf clubs stickin' out de trunk! I'm gwine down to de links on Saturday mornin'!
A reference to the difficulty of finding one's true purpose in life and reflected on how one's current identity might differ from the past. Dreaming of owning a luxury car but understanding that sometimes, what we want might not represent who we are truly.
An' that's all it is Gimme a five dollar bill! And an overcoat too... Where's my waitress, yeahhhh! Robbie, take me to greek town! I'm harder than yer husband; harder than yer husband! I'm goin' down to white street, to the mudd club, y'all! I'm goin' down 'n work the wall! 'n work the floor 'n work the pipe, 'n work the wall some more!
The song seems to end with a series of fragmented, disconnected phrases and potential character dialogues, with little clear meaning.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Zappa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@snichols1973
Chorus: Do you know what you are?
You are what you is,
You is what you am,
A cow don't make ham;
You ain't what you're not,
So see what you got;
You are what you is,
An' that's all it is
A foolish young man
From a middle class fam'ly,
Started singin' the blues
'Cause he thought it was manly,
Now he talks like the Kingfish
(Saph-fie!)
from Amos 'n' Andy
(Holy mackerel there, holy mackerel there)
He tells you that chitlins
(Chitlins!)
They taste just like candy,
He thinks that he's got
De whole thang down,
From the Nivea Lotion To de Royal Crown,
(Chorus)
Do you know what you are?
You are what you is,
You is what you am,
A cow don't make ham;
You ain't what you're not,
So see what you got;
You are what you is
An' that's all it is
A foolish young man
Of the negro Persuasion,
Devoted his life
To become a Caucasian;
He stopped eating pork
He stopped eating greens;
He traded his dashiki
(Uhuru!)
For some Jordache jeans;
He learned to play golf,
And he got a good score;
Now he says to himself:
"I ain't no n***er no more!"
"I don't understand you!"
(Bwana makuba)
"Could you please speak more clearly?"
(Mercedes-Benz)
Who is who,
(I don't know!)
And what is what?
(I just don't know!)
And why is this
(Tell me now)
"Appropri-aht?"
(That's a funny pronunciation if'n I ever heard one!)
If you don't like
(Where did you get that word)
What you has got;
("Appropri-aht?")
Drop it in the dirt
(Drop it, yeah)
And let it rot
(I can smell it now!)
Someone else
(Here dey come, here dey come!)
Will surely come,
(I told you they was coming!)
And pick it up
(That's right!)
'Cause he wants some
(And he wants it for free!)
And then one day
(There will come a day)
You'll wonder who
(I wonder, too)
Who you used to was
(Who I was, anyway)
And what you do
(I, I used to work at the post office)
You'll scratch your head
(But I don't want to undo my do)
And look around;
(Just to see what's goin' on)
But what you lost
(I can't seem to find it)
Will not be found
(A Mercedes-Benz)
Do you know what you are?
(I know)
You are what you is;
(I'm the kind of guy)
You is what you am,
(That ought to be driving)
A cow don't make ham;
(A 450 SLC)
You ain't what you not,
(A big old red one)
So see what you got;
(Some golf clubs stickin' out de trunk)
You are what you is,
(I'm goin' down to the links Saturday mornin')
And that's all it is;
(Gimme a $5 bill)
You are what you is
(And an overcoat, too)
And that's all it is
(Work my way down, yo)
You are what you is
(Robbie, take me to Creek Town)
And that's all it is
(I work harder than your husband, harder than your husband)
You are what you is
(I'm going down to White Street)
And that's all it is...
(Fade out)
@Voodooray007
The Lesson: Just be yourself, but don't sacrifice yourself to just be accepted.
@bckm54
ABSO-FUCKIN-LUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@boscopit
yup
@STRAWBERRYSTUDIO2
arf!
@hazor777
wow ........deep .......
@salatino2482
Not Sure Everyone is, that's why Zappa was a capitalist i guess, he realized that!
@Syncopator
I miss Frank. We need him now more than ever.
@emilycathcart7387
Yes we do! I'll bet he would have hated the political correctness of today!
@quantize
@@emilycathcart7387 horseshit, he would have hated the hate hiding as 'free speech'
@emico00
indeed today