This small band was formed by a group of friends who just wanted to jam. The band members (see below) are all famous in their own right already and include Mike Myers (of Austin Powers fame), Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet.
The idea to form a band came after Mike Myers and his wife attended a Matthew Sweet concert. Susanna Hoffs performed a gig that same night. They all got to know one another. (Hoffs and Sweet were already good friends.) Sometime during the filming of "Austin Powers", they all got together one evening to watch B-movies. They decided to form a 60's oriented band just for fun.
So they jammed together and called themselves Ming Tea. The name came from a company featured in one of the B-movies they had watched.
So the three of them and a few others got together and wrote some songs and even played some shows in and around Los Angeles, usually in Comedy clubs, combiing the show with their own comedy skits.
Whilst the band never released an album, they have contributed to a couple of the Austin Powers' film Soundtracks. Their song "BBC" features at the end of 'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery' and another of their songs, "Daddy Wasn't There" is in one of the later films. They also contributed some of instrumental pieces in the second film, 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me'
Ming Tea are:
Mike Myers (aka Austin Powers) - Lead Guitar and Vocals
Susanna Hoffs (aka Julian Shagwell) - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Matthew Sweet - Bass Guitar and Vocals
Weird Blonde Go-Go dancer ???? - Percussion
Stuart Johnson - Drums and Percussion
Chris Ward - Guitar
Daddy wasnt there
Ming Tea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Daddy wasn't there
Daddy!
Daddy wasn't there,
To take me to the fair,
To cange my underwear,
It seems he doesn't caaaarrrrreeee!!!
Daddy wasn't there
Daddy!
Daddy wasn't there,
To change my underwear,
It seems he doesn't care!
Daddy wasn't there!
(When I was first baptized,
When I was critizised,
When I was ostercised,
When I was jazzercised,
Steak and Kidney Pies,
One hour martinized,
When I was Circumcised!...
Daddy wasn'there)
To take me to the fair,
To change my underwear,
Daddy wasn't there!
...................
...................
...................
If you got a daddy issue,
Here's a daddy tissue!
D to the A to the DDY!
D to the A to the DDY!
They say it's just a fad,
But I got a dead beat dad!
D to the A to the DDY!
D to the A to the DDY!
I sit in my room and cry,
And ask my self, the reason why!
D to the A to the DDY!
D to the A to the DDY!
DADDY!
....
DADDY!
....
DADDY!
....
D A DDY!
The song "Daddy Wasn't There" by Ming Tea (Featuring Austin Powers) is a comical yet poignant rendition of a father's absence in a child's life. The repetitive catchy chorus highlights the constant reminder of the father's absence. The verse goes on to list some significant moments in a child's life where a father's presence would have been appreciated but was not there. The verse ends with Daddy was not there, emphasizing the central theme of the song.
The initial chorus of the song is an echo of the last line of the verse. The phrase "To change my underwear" is repeated, which may sound funny at first, but it symbolizes a father's everyday responsibilities, disregarded by the absent father. Also, other moments of the child's life are highlighted, showing the significance of a father's presence. The bridge acts as a comfort zone, acknowledging the fact that many people face this issue and you are not alone.
The song is a brilliant take on a sensitive topic, highlighting the value of a present father-figure and addressing the pain felt by those with an absent father. The lyrics are witty, comical, and compassionate all at once, giving the listener hope that even though the reality is harsh, there is always a way to cope up.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy!
Calling out to father
Daddy wasn't there
Father's absence
To take me to the fair,
Missing out on recreational activities
To change my underwear,
Neglecting basic responsibilities
It seems he doesn't caaaarrrrreeee!!!
Father's lack of concern
Daddy!
Calling out to father
When I was first baptized,
Childhood milestones
When I was critizised,
Negative experiences
When I was ostercised,
Feeling of isolation
When I was jazzercised,
Positive experiences
Steak and Kidney Pies,
Food preferences
One hour martinized,
Social experiences
When I was Circumcised!...
Religious and cultural practices
Daddy wasn't here
Father's absence
If you got a daddy issue,
Relating to others with father issues
Here's a daddy tissue!
Humorous suggestion of using a tissue
D to the A to the DDY!
Spelling father acronym
They say it's just a fad,
Distrust in societal attitudes towards fatherhood
But I got a dead beat dad!
Personal experience of bad fatherhood
I sit in my room and cry,
Emotional effects of father's absence
And ask my self, the reason why!
Questioning the father's absence
D A DDY!
Repeating father acronym
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MIKE MYERS, MATTHEW SWEET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind