Mott the Hoople formed when Silence, a not-too-successful group from the Welsh borders, was joined by session pianist and rock and roll hopeful Ian Hunter along with musicians Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen, Pete Overend Watts, and Dale Griffin . They developed from Dylan obsessives to their own character over the course of four albums for Island. They were a very popular live act but only achieved brief commercial success.
In 1971, the band was close to splitting up but continued to record track "All the Young Dudes", a song written for them by up and coming pop star and fan David Bowie. Three more albums and several pop hits later, the group fell apart after Ian Hunter left in 1974. The remaining members mutated into Mott, an 'also-ran' band which released two albums before disbanding in 1976. Original guitarist Ralphs had a massive boost in his fortunes as a member of rockers Bad Company.
Griffin died in his sleep on 17 January 2016 at the age of 67 and Watts died, almost exactly a year later, on 22 January 2017, from throat cancer.
Through The Looking Glass
Mott the Hoople Lyrics
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And did I mean it, or did I lie, or did I dream it?
Oh! Christ, I'm tired.
Why then did ya have to grin? Now the blood rolls down my chin.
Oh, you know you painted so much blue, and I'm much younger than that too.
Oh, mirror, what did I do to you?
You're my voyeur; see every line; chase them to destinations,
On through time.
mis-spent youth, oh.
Do you have to paint teeth green, when they're snowy, white and clean?
Do you have to make eyes red, when they're clear and fresh, instead?
Oh, mirror, I wish you'd lose your head.
Sometimes, I'm on a gig, and I'm feeling kinda good.
I run and look at you, just like a pop star would,
But you just glare at me with those dark, accusing eyes.
That say: "My make-up's good... I'd like to... I'd like so much to..."
Oh, I'll never look at you again, 'cause I'm really not that vain.
Seven years bad luck ain't that long, before I smash you, hear my song.
Oh, mirror, I'm sorry you were wrong.
The lyrics of Mott the Hoople's "Through The Looking Glass" delve into the singer's uncertain self-image and the complicated relationship they have with their own reflection. The song begins with self-loathing and a sense of defeat as the singer faces their reflection in the mirror, describing themselves as "feelin' ugly" and "feelin' low." They question what they see in the reflection and whether they can trust it: "And did I mean it, or did I lie, or did I dream it?" The lyrics suggest a desire to escape this self-consciousness and scrutiny, as the singer exclaims, "Oh! Christ, I'm tired."
Throughout the song, the mirror serves as a symbol for the singer's inner thoughts and emotions. They view the mirror as a voyeur that sees every line on their face and takes them on a journey through time, like a diary. However, they also express frustration at the way the reflection distorts reality, painting teeth green and eyes red. The singer wishes the mirror could "lose its head," highlighting their desire to disconnect from these self-critical thoughts. Towards the end of the song, the singer's perspective shifts and they reject the notion of relying on their reflection for validation. They decide to smash the mirror and end their obsession with their own self-image.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm feelin' ugly, I'm feelin' low. Mornin' mirror, you ain't no rose.
I am not feeling good about myself, and when I look in the mirror, I don't look good either.
And did I mean it, or did I lie, or did I dream it?
Did I say something or do something or was it just my imagination?
Oh! Christ, I'm tired.
I am exhausted.
Why then did ya have to grin? Now the blood rolls down my chin.
Why did you have to smile at me, now I am hurt and bleeding.
Oh, you know you painted so much blue, and I'm much younger than that too.
You made me look so old, and I am not even that old.
Oh, mirror, what did I do to you?
Mirror, why are you making me look so bad?
You're my voyeur; see every line; chase them to destinations, on through time.
You are like my secret watcher, you see every detail of my face and follow them as they change through time.
And you're my diary, yeah, the bitter truth. Unexpurgated, a mis-spent youth, oh.
You are like my journal, you show me the unpleasant truth of how I wasted my youth.
Do you have to paint teeth green, when they're snowy, white and clean?
Do you have to make my teeth look green, when they are actually white and clean?
Do you have to make eyes red, when they're clear and fresh, instead?
Do you have to make my eyes look red, when they are really clear and fresh?
Oh, mirror, I wish you'd lose your head.
Mirror, I wish you would stop showing me my flaws.
Sometimes, I'm on a gig, and I'm feeling kinda good. I run and look at you, just like a pop star would, but you just glare at me with those dark, accusing eyes.
Sometimes when I am performing, I feel good and I run to the mirror to admire myself, but you just stare at me in condescending way.
That say: "My make-up's good... I'd like to... I'd like so much to..."
Your looks seem to be saying that my make-up is fine, and it makes me want to improve more.
Oh, I'll never look at you again, 'cause I'm really not that vain.
I don't want to look at you again because I am not that self-obsessed.
Seven years bad luck ain't that long, before I smash you, hear my song.
Seven years of bad luck is not a big deal compared to how badly I want to break you.
Oh, mirror, I'm sorry you were wrong.
Mirror, I am sorry that you made me look bad and I blame you for that.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IAN HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind