Psycho
Jack Kittel Lyrics
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I'm as hungry as can be
Oh lordy, how I wish, Mama
That you could keep the baby quiet 'cause my head is killing me
I saw my ex again last night, Mama
She was at the dance at Miller's store
She was with that Jackie White, Mama
You think I'm psycho, don't you, Mama?
Mama, pour me a cup
You think I'm psycho, don't you, Mama?
You'd better let 'em lock me up
Don't hand me Johnny's pup, Mama
Cause I might squeeze him too tight
I'm having crazy dreams again, Mama
So let me tell you 'bout last night
I woke up in Johnny's room, Mama
Standing right there by his bed
With my hands around his throat, Mama
Wishing both of us were dead
You think I'm psycho don't you, Mama?
I just killed Johnny's pup
You think I'm psycho don't you, Mama?
You'd better let 'em lock me up
You know that little girl next door, Mama
I believe her name was Betty Clark
Oh, don't tell me that she's dead, Mama
Cause I just saw her in the park
We were sitting on a bench, Mama
Thinking up a game to play
Seems I was holding a wrench, Mama
And then my mind just walked away
You think I'm psycho don't you, Mama?
I didn't mean to break your cup
You think I'm psycho don't you, Mama?
Oh, Mama, why don't you get up?
The lyrics to Jack Kittel's song "Psycho" depict a disturbed individual, whose mental state is slowly deteriorating. The singer mentions his hunger, but also a growing headache, before confessing to his mother that he killed his ex-girlfriend and her new partner and buried their bodies under a tree. He asks whether his mother thinks he is insane, but she pours him a cup without answering. The song continues, with the singer admitting to killing his nephew's puppy and choking the nephew, then talking about a girl who he believes is still alive, even though he thought she was dead earlier.
The lyrics unveil the singer's state of confusion, with him unable to distinguish between reality and his dreams. He is also unable to control his impulses, evidenced by his murderous actions towards those close to him. Throughout the song, his tone is disturbingly calm, and he seems almost unaware of the severity of his actions. The song addresses themes of insanity, disassociation, and the fragmentation of an individual's psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
Can Mary fry some fish, Mama?
Asking if Mary can cook some food.
I'm as hungry as can be
Feeling very hungry.
Oh lordy, how I wish, Mama
Expressing a strong desire.
That you could keep the baby quiet 'cause my head is killing me
Asking for some peace and quiet.
I saw my ex again last night, Mama
Ran into an ex-lover.
She was at the dance at Miller's store
Describing where the ex was seen.
She was with that Jackie White, Mama
Noticing that the ex was with someone else.
I killed them both, and they're buried under Jenkin's sycamore
Claims to have murdered the ex and her companion and buried them.
You think I'm psycho, don't you, Mama?
Asking if he is considered crazy.
Mama, pour me a cup
Asking for a cup of something.
You'd better let 'em lock me up
Suggesting that authorities should intervene.
Don't hand me Johnny's pup, Mama
Asking not to be given the puppy.
Cause I might squeeze him too tight
Expressing fear of harming the puppy.
I'm having crazy dreams again, Mama
Having unsettling dreams.
So let me tell you 'bout last night
Wants to share details about his dream.
I woke up in Johnny's room, Mama
Discussing a nightmare scenario.
Standing right there by his bed
Describing where he found himself in the dream.
With my hands around his throat, Mama
Revealing a disturbing detail.
Wishing both of us were dead
Expressing a twisted desire.
You know that little girl next door, Mama
Referring to a neighbor.
Oh, don't tell me that she's dead, Mama
Expressing concern about the girl.
Cause I just saw her in the park
Making a confusing statement.
We were sitting on a bench, Mama
Describing the dream.
Thinking up a game to play
Revealing what was happening in the dream.
Seems I was holding a wrench, Mama
Sharing a strange detail.
And then my mind just walked away
Unable to explain what happened in the dream.
I didn't mean to break your cup
Apologizing for breaking something.
Oh, Mama, why don't you get up?
Addressing his mother.
Writer(s): Leon Payne
Contributed by Claire E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.