When live he has a loop pedal that allows him to record a loop live and then sing/play over the top of the loop. Watch this YouTube video for an idea.
Aside from solo performance he is also well known for the many bands he has been involved with - most notably Totally Gourdgeous, Oxo Cubans and Bomba.
Lots of his songs are available free as MP3 on his Myspace and his website: http://www.malwebb.com/
"You're a freak" said Ani DiFranco of Mal (really!)
"He's like Bobby McFerrin, Aphex Twin and Cole Porter playing scrabble" - B.Freely
Hug
Mal Webb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here's a cure that's a medical paragon
It's a fantasy panacea, yes indeed
You just need a good hug
That's all you need
There's no need to beg
And no need to steal
In a reciprocal deal
You should only ever hug
When it's all agreed
That you need a good hug
That's all you need
Hugging makes you happy
It'll make you smile
Take your inhibitions
And lose them for a while
Hugging makes you feel like
Everything's OK
But don't wait 'til tomorrow
When you can hug today
It won't leave you in debt with a legal writ
It won't leave you
With clothing that doesn't fit
It won't leave you with another little
Mouth to feed
You just need a good hug
That's all you need
There's no known communicable
Diseases involved
So if you leave it at hugging
Then your problem's solved
And if you do it right
You won't bruise or bleed
You just need a good hug
That's all you need
You can start with a handshake
Let it evolve to involve a little toll
On your heart and soul
Any sex, age or creed
Any species or breed
You just need a good hug
That's all you need
You don't need psychedelics
To addle your brain
You don't need nicotine
Caffeine or cocaine
You don't need a bag of weed
Or a line of speed
You just need a good hug
That's all you need
You don't need a pair of
Gaultier boxer shorts
You don't need a flatmate
With two dimensional thoughts
You don't need a prostitute
Who'll scream and plead
You just need a good hug
That's all you need
There may be somebody
That you once knew
Who had always felt the need
To embrace with you
And if only you'd known
All the signs to read
When you need a good hug
That's all you need
Mal Webb's song "Hug" is a cheerful ode to the power of hugs. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace their loved ones and strangers, as a hug is a panacea that is free from any hidden costs, legal disputes or communicable diseases. The song highlights the emotional and physical benefits of hugs, which can make people happy, smile, ease their inhibitions, and help them feel better.
The song also stresses the importance of consent, urging people to only hug when both parties agree to it. Webb advocates for hugs as an alternative to drugs or other harmful behaviors, stating that hugging is all we need to feel good. Through this song, the artist emphasizes the value of human touch and promotes kindness and compassion towards others.
Overall, "Hug" is a fun and catchy tune that encourages listeners to appreciate the power of physical touch and to give hugs to those around them. The song celebrates the simplicity of this heartfelt act and reminds us of the importance of human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're feeling forlorn or a bit full on
Whether you're feeling sad or overwhelmed
Here's a cure that's a medical paragon
Hugging is a perfect way to feel better
It's a fantasy panacea, yes indeed
Hugging can help you escape to a better place
You just need a good hug
All you really need is a good hug
There's no need to beg
You don't have to plead for a hug
And no need to steal
You don't have to take a hug by force
And there's no hidden cost
You don't have to pay for a hug
In a reciprocal deal
A hug is a mutual exchange of affection
You should only ever hug
You should only hug when it's wanted
When it's all agreed
Both parties should agree to the hug
Hugging makes you happy
Hugs can increase happiness
It'll make you smile
It can bring a smile to your face
Take your inhibitions
Let go of any apprehensions
And lose them for a while
Forget your worries for the moment
Hugging makes you feel like
A hug can give you the sensation that
Everything's OK
Everything is alright with the world
But don't wait 'til tomorrow
Don't wait to hug until the future
When you can hug today
Just hug now, don't hesitate
It won't leave you in debt with a legal writ
A hug won't get you in legal trouble
It won't leave you with clothing that doesn't fit
You won't get any unwanted clothes from a hug
It won't leave you with another little
A hug won't give you another person to care for
Mouth to feed
That you need to take care of
There's no known communicable
There's no risk of catching
Diseases involved
Any diseases from hugging
So if you leave it at hugging
Stick to just hugging
Then your problem's solved
You won't have to worry about anything bad happening
And if you do it right
As long as you hug correctly
You won't bruise or bleed
You won't get hurt from hugging
You can start with a handshake
You can begin with a handshake
Let it evolve to involve a little toll
Let the hug become more intimate
On your heart and soul
A hug can have a profound effect
Any sex, age or creed
Anyone can receive a hug
Any species or breed
Any type of animal can receive a hug too
You don't need psychedelics
There's no need for drugs
To addle your brain
To confuse your mind
You don't need nicotine
There's no need for cigarettes
Caffeine or cocaine
Or for caffeine or cocaine
You don't need a bag of weed
There's no need for marijuana
Or a line of speed
Or speed
You don't need a pair of
You don't need fancy
Gaultier boxer shorts
Designer boxer shorts
You don't need a flatmate
You don't need a roommate
With two dimensional thoughts
Someone who isn't deep or thoughtful
You don't need a prostitute
You don't need to pay for sex
Who'll scream and plead
Someone who is disinterested or unhappy
There may be somebody
There may be someone from your past
That you once knew
That you used to be close to
Who had always felt the need
Who always wanted to hug you
To embrace with you
To hold you and show affection
And if only you'd known
If only you had realized
All the signs to read
The signs that they wanted to hug you
When you need a good hug
Whenever you need some affection
That's all you need
A good hug is all you need
Contributed by Aaliyah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.