Hey Dude
Kula Shaker Lyrics


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All I have is all I need enough for love but not for greed yeah.
I was younger once this guy came to me told me about all the honey out there.
He said "Honey gold jewels money women wine cars that shine."
I don't know what he was talking about but I think I had an idea.

He said "Smell the rose, sweet sweet rose, catch the sun find where it grows.
Smell the rose, the sweet sweet rose that grows on castle walls in heaven. In heaven yeah."
Well if it feels like summer you're catching the sun, and I'm catching the moment you fall,
If it tastes like honey don't swallow it all, don't wait for the moment to come- and catch the sun.

Hey dude don't lean on me man, Cause I'm losing my direction and I can't understand, no no
Hey dude well I do what I can But you treat me like a woman when I feel like a man.

I was crossing the city one day, everybody was flashing by me Like images of tombstones, images of tombstones, On a Friday night I've seen everybody looking for their little bit of honey
To alleviate the pain, to alleviate the pain.

Well if it feels like summer don't burn in the sun, don't wait for the evening to fall, If it tastes like honey don't swallow it all, don't wait for the moment to come- and catch the sun.




No, no, n no, n no, no, etc.
When I feel like a man! Hey dude, etc...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kula Shaker's "Hey Dude" are full of philosophical musings on the idea of happiness and fulfillment, with the singer rejecting material desires in favor of love and simple pleasures. He recounts a conversation with a man who tried to sell him on the idea of accumulating wealth and luxury through the metaphor of honey, gold, and jewels, but the singer quickly dismisses this idea as he has all he needs in love. He describes the importance of recognizing beauty in life, symbolized by the rose, which grows in unexpected places. The singer warns against being too caught up in material pleasures, urging the listener to live in the moment and not wait for tomorrow.


The chorus, "Hey dude don't lean on me man, cause I'm losing my direction and I can't understand," suggests the singer's inner turmoil and confusion about his place in the world. He feels overwhelmed by the pressures of society and feels inadequate in his ability to rise to the challenges. However, he asserts his masculinity, proclaiming that he will do what he can to handle things on his own.


The second verse brings to light the city's busy lifestyle, where people are all desperately trying to find their own piece of happiness, something that will make them feel alive and better. But, the singer cautions against being too greedy or impatient in the quest for happiness. He advises people to take their time, enjoy the summer sun or catch the moment when they can, and not to be too quick to swallow everything that comes their way.


Line by Line Meaning

All I have is all I need enough for love but not for greed yeah.
I have everything I need to be content with love, but not enough to fuel my desire for wealth and material possessions.


I was younger once this guy came to me told me about all the honey out there.
When I was younger, someone told me about all the pleasures and riches in the world.


He said "Honey gold jewels money women wine cars that shine."
He listed various material possessions that he believed could bring happiness and fulfillment.


I don't know what he was talking about but I think I had an idea.
I didn't fully understand what he was saying, but I had an inkling that these things wouldn't bring me true happiness.


He said "Smell the rose, sweet sweet rose, catch the sun find where it grows.
He advised me to appreciate the beauty of life and to seek out happiness where it grows.


Smell the rose, the sweet sweet rose that grows on castle walls in heaven. In heaven yeah."
He specifically mentioned finding beauty in unexpected places, such as roses that grow on castle walls.


Well if it feels like summer you're catching the sun, and I'm catching the moment you fall,
When you're living in the moment and enjoying life, you're basking in the sunshine. Meanwhile, I'm catching the fleeting moments of life as they slip away.


If it tastes like honey don't swallow it all, don't wait for the moment to come- and catch the sun.
If something in life feels sweet and fulfilling, don't consume it all at once. Enjoy it in moderation and seize the opportunity to enjoy life.


Hey dude don't lean on me man, Cause I'm losing my direction and I can't understand, no no
Don't rely on me for answers or direction, because I'm lost and struggling to make sense of things myself.


Hey dude well I do what I can But you treat me like a woman when I feel like a man.
I'm doing my best, but you're treating me like I'm weak or inferior even when I'm trying to assert my masculinity.


I was crossing the city one day, everybody was flashing by me Like images of tombstones, images of tombstones,
As I walked through the city, everyone was rushing past me like they were on the fast track to death.


On a Friday night I've seen everybody looking for their little bit of honey To alleviate the pain, to alleviate the pain.
On Friday nights, I see people searching for temporary pleasures to distract themselves from their problems and pain.


Well if it feels like summer don't burn in the sun, don't wait for the evening to fall, If it tastes like honey don't swallow it all, don't wait for the moment to come- and catch the sun.
Once again, don't let life's sweet and beautiful moments slip away. Don't get burned by the intensity of life's pleasures, and don't wait for the night to fall to start enjoying life.


No, no, n no, n no, no, etc.
Repeating 'no' to emphasize the importance of avoiding pitfalls and seizing opportunities.


When I feel like a man! Hey dude, etc...
Reasserting the frustration of feeling emasculated and misunderstood by others.




Lyrics © Unison Rights S.L.
Written by: PAUL WINTER-HART, ALONZA BEVAN, JAY DARLINGTON, CRISPIAN MILLS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@theunemployedtrucker

This still sounds fresh in 2023, kula shaker are one hell of a band 👌

@molimolilla

yo los escuchaba en la tele en un canal de musica de los 80s etc tenia 14 años asi que creci con muy buena musica 😊

@Chris.Strange

Oh man, this triggers so many memories. 1996, 17 years old, just passed the driving test, Kula Shaker K on tape blaring out of an '81 Ford Escort.

@simontrigg6216

Brilliant

@_gray_

Snap, except it was a Fiat Uno with this and Firestarter

@Malkav

Then you went to bed, and woke up today 42 years old, wondering where the time went by.

@remoteworkboard

Almost same except I had an 87 datsun pickup truck. I had spent the summer in England and bought back K on tape to Texas.

@goedeck1

@Scott Devereux cool

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@IanBrownMakeUpArtist

So the lead singer Crispian is the son of British actress Hayley Mills, who famously played Pollyanna. His grandfather was the actor Sir John Mills. Some magic creative genes in that family.

@sexcorpio6976

​@@iridium8341There are in the genes.

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