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
Waterbear
Mal Webb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then I'd be comfy anywhere
In a vacuum, boiled or frozen
Centuries of happy dozing
Pressure never leaves you in despair
When you're a waterbear
I wish I were a waterbear
No more fashion, pain or gain
'Cos with a microscopic brain
Your heaven is a clump of moss to share
When you're a waterbear
I wish I were a waterbear
A mighty mite with time to spare
Never have to prove your worth
A minor impact on the Earth
And little need for water, food or air
That's why I really want to
Be a waterbear.....(sing along!)
The song "Waterbear" by Mal Webb is an ode to the microscopic creature known as tardigrades, or waterbears. In the first stanza, the lyrics suggest that if the singer were a waterbear, they would be able to withstand any extreme condition, from vacuum to boiling to freezing, and still be able to happily "doze" for centuries. This is a reference to the fact that tardigrades are known for their resilience and ability to survive in extreme environments, including outer space. The second stanza references the waterbear's lack of political awareness and concern with fashion, pain, or gain. Instead, the waterbear's simple life revolves around finding a clump of moss to share, and this is presented as a form of heaven. The final stanza describes the waterbear's seemingly carefree existence, where one's worth is not something that needs to be proven and there is little need for basic necessities such as water, food, or air.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I were a waterbear
I desire to be a tardigrade
Then I'd be comfy anywhere
As a tardigrade, I could be comfortable in any environment
In a vacuum, boiled or frozen
I could survive extreme environments such as vacuums, boiling waters, or freezing temperatures
Centuries of happy dozing
As tardigrades can go into a state of suspended animation, I could rest for long periods of time
Pressure never leaves you in despair
Tardigrades can tolerate high pressure, which would not cause me distress
When you're a waterbear
This is what you experience when you're a tardigrade
Politically so unaware
Tardigrades have no political awareness
No more fashion, pain or gain
Tardigrades do not experience fashion, pain, or gain
'Cos with a microscopic brain
Tardigrades have a small brain
Your heaven is a clump of moss to share
Tardigrades find comfort in sharing a clump of moss
A mighty mite with time to spare
Tardigrades are tiny organisms with a lot of time on their hands
Never have to prove your worth
Tardigrades do not have to prove their worth
A minor impact on the Earth
Tardigrades have a minor ecological impact on the Earth
And little need for water, food or air
Tardigrades require minimal amounts of water, food, or air to survive
That's why I really want to
That's why I truly long to become
Be a waterbear.....(sing along!)
Be a tardigrade (and sing along)
Contributed by Kayla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GG-SwiftieHarrie
Be a Waterbear! Music to my ears! Fav song of ALL time!
@shielatubber
Saw you live in Ann Arbor MI, US when my kids were little. You left a lifelong impression on all of us. We will never forget you!
@skyehildyard2162
Best song ever
@webbstar303
he is a total dude, and even better live, you will be singing along by the end!
@malwebb1
Nyaw, you're too kind!
@idontexist2037
I so clearly remember this guy from an episode of Spicks and Specks I watched as a kid. For whatever reason, this song has lived somewhere in my subconscious for 15 years.
@bram_anwick
it could probably survive in your subconscious for a lot longer than 15 years - in fact maybe put a note in your will in case the water bear refrain sneaks out when all else has become quite silent
@Cheese7324
I met him
@the_paleopro
Thanks Steve!
@nicolapickering5995
love it
great song