MC5 had a promising beginning that earned them a January 1969 cover appearance in Rolling Stone magazine and a story written by Eric Ehrmann before their debut album was released. They developed a reputation for energetic and polemical live performances, one of which was recorded as their 1969 debut album Kick Out the Jams. Their initial run was short-lived, though. In 1972, just three years after their debut record, the band came to an end. Often cited as one of the most important American hard rock groups of that era, their three albums are regarded by many as classics.
Tyner died of a heart attack in late 1991 at the age of 46. Smith also died of a heart attack, in 1994 at the age of 45. The remaining three members of the band reformed in 2003 with The Dictators' singer Handsome Dick Manitoba as its new vocalist, and this reformed line-up occasionally performed live over the next nine years until Davis died of liver failure in February 2012 at the age of 68.
In 2022, Kramer announced that a tour would take place that spring, and that a new MC5 studio album with producer Bob Ezrin would also be released later that year with original MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson playing on two tracks. In 2023, Kramer announced that the album would be released in the spring of 2024. Kramer died in February 2024, leaving Thompson as the only surviving original member of the band.
The Human Being Lawnmower
MC5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hope you can
Listen here closely
You'll understand
Make way for the killer race
They use the Bible
Millimeter by millimeter
Six times hot as the sun
Didn't mean to hurt anyone
Didn't mean to hurt anyone
Sorry, sorry, yeah
Don't try to force them
To help them
Do what they do
What they do
So the hurting's not on you
Chasing for miles
Until you're standing before
The Human Being Lawnmower
Chop, chop, chop, chop, chop
The lyrics of MC5's song "Human Being Lawnmower" paint a picture of a chaotic and violent society in which a killer race is at the forefront of the destruction. The opening lines "Can you hear me? Hope you can. Listen here closely, you'll understand" serve as a warning to the listener that what follows is something that needs to be heard and comprehended. The lyrics go on to refer to this killer race as using the Bible and causing destruction millimeter by millimeter, symbolizing the slow but steady damaging of society as a whole. The line "six times hot as the sun, didn't mean to hurt anyone, sorry, sorry, yeah" further emphasizes the unintentional but nonetheless inevitable harm caused by this destructive force.
The lyrics urge the listener not to attempt to intervene or help and to simply let the killer race continue with what they do, so that the responsibility for the consequences won't fall on those who try to stop them. The final lines of the chorus, "chasing for miles until you're standing before the Human Being Lawnmower. Chop, chop, chop, chop, chop" depict the gruesome and relentless violence being wrought by this race, and implies that attempting to stop them will result in certain death.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you hear me?
The singer is questioning whether or not the listener is listening to them.
Hope you can
The singer is expressing their hope that the listener can hear them.
Listen here closely
The singer is urging the listener to pay close attention.
You'll understand
The artist believes that if the listener listens closely, they will understand.
Make way for the killer race
The artist is referencing a group of individuals that are seemingly destructive and harmful.
They use the Bible
The singer is suggesting that the group in question use religion to justify their actions.
Millimeter by millimeter
The singer is emphasizing that the group in question acts slowly and methodically.
Six times hot as the sun
The artist is using hyperbole to describe something or someone that is extremely intense or powerful.
Didn't mean to hurt anyone
The artist is suggesting that whatever actions were taken were unintended.
Sorry, sorry, yeah
The artist is expressing remorse for any harm caused.
Don't try to force them
The singer is advising against attempting to coerce the aforementioned group into anything.
To help them
The artist is suggesting that any attempt to force the group into action would be to help them, rather than to change or improve them in any way.
Do what they do
The singer is suggesting that it is best to simply allow the group to continue acting as they see fit.
So the hurting's not on you
The singer is suggesting that any repercussions or blame for the group's actions will not fall on the listener if they allow the group to continue without intervention.
Chasing for miles
The singer is suggesting that the listener has been in pursuit of something for an extended period of time.
Until you're standing before the Human Being Lawnmower
The artist is using a metaphor to describe confronting something dangerous or destructive.
Chop, chop, chop, chop, chop
The artist is repeating a chopping sound effect to emphasize the danger and destructiveness of the situation.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DENNIS A. TOMICH, FRED SMITH, MICHAEL DAVIS, ROBERT W. DERMINER, WAYNE KRAMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@relevanthistory8500
Never heard of these guys until Dan Carlin mentioned them. Sweet song!
@repeatsitself
I knew the song (not their best by a long chalk) but yes, it was a real surprise to hear Dan Carlin bring it up. I chuckled!!
@briancataldi
Haha I’ve heard of them but never gave them a real listen before but Dan Carlin brought me here today that’s for sure. #HardcoreHistory
@OhioMan1854
Hardcore History gang represent
@repeatsitself
@@OhioMan1854 Yes, Hardcore History was a real find. Facts related in a compelling way.
@blackmikesilver
I had heard of MC5 but didn’t know this song until like you Dan Carlin mentioned this song
@krassos
Dan Carlin sent me here.
@JEBrink
Chop chop chop
@Chevelle602
Yep lol
@Chevelle602
I'm actually a big MC5 fan but I've never heard of this song until Dan Carlin mentioned it