O Superman
M.A.N.D.Y. vs Booka Shade Feat. Laurie Anderson Lyrics

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O Superman.
O judge.
O Mom and Dad.
Mom and Dad.
O Superman.
O judge.
O Mom and Dad.
Mom and Dad.

Hi.
I'm not home right now.
But if you want to leave a message, just start talking at the sound of the tone.
Hello?
This is your Mother.
Are you there?
Are you coming home?
Hello?
Is anybody home?
Well, you don't know me, but I know you.
And I've got a message to give to you.
Here come the planes.
So you better get ready.
Ready to go.
You can come as you are, but pay as you go.
Pay as you go.
And I said: OK.
Who is this really?
And the voice said: This is the hand, the hand that takes.
This is the hand, the hand that takes.
This is the hand, the hand that takes.
Here come the planes.
They're American planes.
Made in America.
Smoking or non-smoking?
And the voice said: Neither snow nor rain nor gloom of night shall stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.
'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice. And when justive is gone, there's always force. And when force is gone, there's always Mom.
Hi Mom!
So hold me, Mom, in your long arms.
So hold me, Mom, in your long arms.
In your automatic arms.
Your electronic arms.
In your arms.
So hold me, Mom, in your long arms.
Your petrochemical arms.

Your military arms.
In your electronic arms.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to M.A.N.D.Y. vs Booka Shade Feat. Laurie Anderson's song O Superman are enigmatic and poignant. The song clearly draws a parallel between the typical expectations from a mother to protect and provide for her children with the challenges that come with modern technology and communication. The song starts with a repetitive chant of "O Superman, O judge, O Mom and Dad" which is soon followed by an automated message from a mother who is trying to reach her child. The urgency of the message is palpable as the mother calls out repeatedly, trying to get hold of the child who seems to be out of reach.

The song then shifts to a message from an unknown source about the arrival of planes, followed by some cryptic lines about payment and a surprisingly compliant response from the receiver. The message then captures the voice of the hand that takes, which is a symbol for authority, followed by a conversation about plane arrivals once again. The song ultimately concludes with the reassurance that when love fails and justice falls, the mother's embrace will always be there to protect and comfort.

Overall, the lyrics of this song are a reflection of the contemporary society where technology and communication have taken over much of our lives, and we are constantly bombarded with messages and information from different sources. The song is a warning against the perils of automation, while also acknowledging the never-ending bond between parent and child.

Line by Line Meaning

O Superman.
A call to Superman, probably in a difficult situation

O judge.
A call to a judge, perhaps in search of justice

O Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad. O Superman. O judge. O Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad.
Calling out to family and authority figures in moments of distress

Hi.
A greeting

I'm not home right now.
An outgoing message indicating unavailability

But if you want to leave a message, just start talking at the sound of the tone.
Instructions for leaving a message

Hello? This is your Mother. Are you there? Are you coming home? Hello? Is anybody home?
A mother attempting to contact her child

Well, you don't know me, but I know you. And I've got a message to give to you.
An ominous message from an unknown source

Here come the planes. So you better get ready. Ready to go. You can come as you are, but pay as you go. Pay as you go. And I said: OK.
A warning of impending danger and a seemingly unrelated reference to payment

Who is this really? And the voice said: This is the hand, the hand that takes. This is the hand, the hand that takes. This is the hand, the hand that takes.
A cryptic response to questioning the identity of the messenger

Here come the planes. They're American planes. Made in America. Smoking or non-smoking?
Further warning of planes, indicating their country of origin and type

And the voice said: Neither snow nor rain nor gloom of night shall stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.
A quote from the USPS motto, possibly signifying the unstoppable delivery of a message or event

'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice. And when justive is gone, there's always force. And when force is gone, there's always Mom.
A chain of fallbacks when ideal solutions are absent

Hi Mom! So hold me, Mom, in your long arms. So hold me, Mom, in your long arms. In your automatic arms. Your electronic arms. In your arms. So hold me, Mom, in your long arms. Your petrochemical arms. Your military arms. In your electronic arms.
An urgent, desperate call for comfort and safety from a maternal figure, with mentions of technological and military arms

Lyrics © DistroKid, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: LAURIE ANDERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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