Mayhem
Imelda May Lyrics
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The ladies maybe sayin' about him
She freaks and tells her closest friend
That she'll never love again
But she'll never, no not ever
Live without him
Wouldn't believe it, if you seen it
Yeah, mayhem doo doo doop
Yeah, mayhem doo doo doop
A lotta mayhem, woh oh oh yeah
She said he didn't mean a thing
So she threw her diamond ring
Out the window of a black cab in Camden
He couldn't take it, what she did,
So he threw a hissy fit
And he took it out on anyone at random
Wouldn't believe it, if you seen it
Oh, mayhem doo doo doop
Yeah, mayhem doo doo doop
Yeah, mayhem doo doo doop
A lotta mayhem, woh oh oh yeah
Dinning sound, lights spinning round,
Some mother's son
Gotta fight or got to run run run run
Run run run run run
Ten pints and then he starts a fight
And he lands himself a night
In a cell wearing gray pants and bruises
Twelve mates bangin' on the door,
Oh the back up vans galore
Never saw such a street full of losers
Wouldn't believe it, if you seen it
Oh, mayhem doo doo doop
Yeah, mayhem doo doo doop
Yeah, mayhem doo doo doop
A lotta mayhem, woh oh oh yeah
Mayhem doo doo doop
Yeah, mayhem doo doo doop
A lotta mayhem doo doo doop
A lotta mayhem oh yeah
Oh mayhem
The lyrics to Imelda May's song "Mayhem" paint a picture of a tumultuous and chaotic relationship, filled with fights, tantrums and reckless behavior. The opening lines describe a man who is oblivious to the opinions of others and their thoughts about him, and a woman who is devastated by his behavior but unable to walk away. The chorus repeats the word "Mayhem" which serves as a way to encapsulate the madness of the situation. The second verse describes how the woman tries to let go of the relationship by throwing her engagement ring out of the window of a cab, which only serves to exacerbate the man's temper. He retaliates by lashing out, and ends up in a fight that lands him in a cell, surrounded by other people who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law. The song's chorus continues to repeat the word "Mayhem" as a way of driving home the chaos of the situation.
Overall, the lyrics to "Mayhem" are a stark and honest portrayal of a dysfunctional relationship. The tension and volatility of the situation are palpable, and the song captures the difficulty of letting go of something that is ultimately toxic. The repetition of the word "Mayhem" throughout the song emphasizes the extent of the chaos, and serves as a reminder that sometimes the most chaotic relationships are the hardest ones to walk away from.
Line by Line Meaning
He said he didn't even hear trains let alone the few words
He claims to be unaware of the things that the women may be saying about him.
The ladies maybe sayin' about him
There are rumors about him among the ladies.
She freaks and tells her closest friend
She gets upset about the situation and confides in her best friend.
That she'll never love again
She swears to never fall in love again.
But she'll never, no not ever
Despite swearing off love, she cannot live without him.
Live without him
She cannot imagine living without him.
She said he didn't mean a thing
She claims that he was not important to her.
So she threw her diamond ring
She throws away the diamond ring he gave her.
Out the window of a black cab in Camden
She throws the ring out of the window of a black cab in Camden.
He couldn't take it, what she did,
He cannot handle her actions.
So he threw a hissy fit
He throws a tantrum.
And he took it out on anyone at random
He takes his anger out on unsuspecting people.
Dinning sound, lights spinning round,
A chaotic scene unfolds, with loud noises and spinning lights.
Some mother's son
An unknown person's son is involved in the chaos.
Gotta fight or got to run run run run
People either have to fight or escape the madness.
Ten pints and then he starts a fight
After drinking ten pints, he becomes violent and starts a fight.
And he lands himself a night
He gets arrested and spends the night in jail.
In a cell wearing gray pants and bruises
He is in a jail cell wearing gray pants and has bruises.
Twelve mates bangin' on the door,
His friends are banging on the door of the jail cell.
Oh the back up vans galore
There are many police backup vans outside.
Never saw such a street full of losers
The scene is full of people who have lost or are losing.
Mayhem doo doo doop
Chaos is happening.
Yeah, mayhem doo doo doop
Yes, there is chaos.
A lotta mayhem doo doo doop
A lot of chaos is happening.
A lotta mayhem oh yeah
Yes, there is a lot of chaos.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY MAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ramona Sophie
He said he didn't even hear trains let alone the few words
The ladies maybe sayin' about him
She freaks and tells her closest friend that she'll never love again
But she'll never, no not ever
Live without him
Wouldn't believe it, if you see it
Oh, Mayhem doo doo doop
Yeah, Mayhem doo doo doop
Yeah, Mayhem doo doo doop
Blood Mayhem, who oh oh yeah
She said he didn't mean a thing so shw threw her diamond ring
Out the window of a black cab in Camden
He couldn't take it, what she did,
So he threw a hissy fit and he took it out on anyone at random
Dinning sound lights spinning round, some mother son
Gotta fight or got to run run run run
Run run run run run
Ten pints and then he start a fight and he lands himself a night
In a cell wearing grey pants and bruises
Twelve mates bangin' on the door, oh the back up vans galore
Never saw such a street full of losers
macaroonlee
Imelda May is the best artist that has come out of Ireland in the past 10 years. She has worked so hard to get where she is. And she is a true Dub too, so down to earth. Well deserved Imelda, keep the tunes coming.
giveandlive
Awesome video. I like how Imelda can mix up her vocals. I just got Mayhem as an import UK --> USA just in time for Christmas. I have her last album too. She has a gorgeous voice and her style is fantastic. Her band is also superb, they are a great group of musicians. (so hard to find these days) This is REAL MUSIC with REAL TALENT, not the usual cookie cutter, pop music copy cat crap we are force fed everyday on the radio and television. IMHO.
Alex Hamilton
Imelda May is a TRUE ARTIST! Her voice...her style...her beauty -- and that KILLER BAND of hers! All of them form a PERFECT BAND. We're going to see her this March with Jeff Beck. I'll need to be seated on a block of ice because the house is going to be burning red hot! Best of luck to May and the band. I am so happy to hear such fantastic music rise to the top!
Mikeholding back the years George
Imelda has done more for Rockabilly than anyone in the last 20 years...saw her live at the Americana, absolutely spot on! Love the new album!
Ian Bevan
If you buy the album on the basis of this track, you'll be dissapointed. If you buy this album 'cos you like Imelda, you'll love it. There are so many different genres she sings, it's hard to pidgeonhole the album. Brilliant.
richhalf1969
She is an incredible edge to music coming of age.
Dave Patterson
Imeda is wonderful, and her band really does her music justice. I first heard/saw them on the Live At Abbey Road tv show. I much prefer just hearing/watching the live band, versus the "official" videos. For this kind of music, the live band is all it needs. Either way, its all great stuff!
Eileen F
saw this last night in Toronto, just as great live, she doesn't leave anything out and adds alot of fun with her audience, and she has spunk and fire in her soul. I am so lucky to get to see her for a mere $20. It cost me more to get from London ont. to TO. I took a greyhound and it was way more than worth it. they were at such a small bar, so it was packedshe asked people to quit filming so we could all see over the cameras in the air. not over publishing, she wanted all to see, brilliant girl
xxLolaBitchxx
This should be on the radio!!!!
Chryss with a Y
This is the very song that made me love this kind of music... and Imelda May.. thanks a lot to my dear rosesredvioletsblue for making me aware that such GREAT MUSIC is really out there waiting to be shared to those who hasn't know they were there... im so dang late about IMELDA MAY.......