Mucky Pup began as a hardcore band formed in Bergenfield, New Jersey in 1985, when brothers John (drums) and Chris (vocals) Milnes joined up with Dan Nastasi (guitar) and former Hades member, Scott LePage (bass). The band went through various incarnations and several musical style changes while gaining minor success in both the USA and Europe. Arguably, their breakthrough moment occurred when Berke Breathed picked their songwriting contest entry for release with a 1987 Bloom County comic strip compilation. However, their European success, based on strong tours and charting for the 1989 A Boy in a Man's World album, surpassed all recognition achieved in their home country
Déjà Vu
Mucky Pup Lyrics
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TO WRITE A SONG THAT HE THINKS IS NEW
AND THE ONLY SOUND THAT HE CAN HEAR IS
A FIRE BURNING, BURNING IN HIS EARS
THE SAFEST THING THAT HE CAN DO IS
ANALYZE THE THINGS SHE'D DO
AND THE ONLY SOUND THAT HE CAN HEAR
ON THE NIGHT SHE LEFT, COUNTRY MUSIC MADE SENSE
IT'S LIKE DEJA VU, ALL OVER AGAIN
I REPEAT MYSELF WHEN UNDER STRESS
In "Deja Vu," Mucky Pup's lead singer explores the introspective state of a man who is trying to process the aftermath of his romantic relationships. The song starts with the singer trying to express his feelings through art by writing a song that he thinks is new. However, this pursuit appears to fall short as he hears nothing but the sound of a fire burning in his ears, suggesting his creativity is consumed by his burning passion for his lover.
The singer then further introspects by analyzing his lover's actions in his mind trying to find the answers for the breakup. This process isn't easy and leaves him with nothing but the sound of his own broken heart pounding in his ears. He is stuck in a vicious cycle of trying to create something new, going back to memories of his lover, and then feeling heartbroken again.
The song then moves towards the end, where the singer is seen turning to the familiar sounds of country music when his lover left him, highlighting his cycle of emotions as "deja vu, all over again." The lyrics thus explore the singer's state of mind, his creative struggle to deal with his heartbreak, and how he finds solace in familiar but melancholic music.
Line by Line Meaning
THE SAFEST THING THAT HE CAN DO IS
He's cautious and avoiding risks
TO WRITE A SONG THAT HE THINKS IS NEW
He wants to create something unique
AND THE ONLY SOUND THAT HE CAN HEAR IS
He's focused on a single object/idea
A FIRE BURNING, BURNING IN HIS EARS
He's passionate and driven by his desires
THE SAFEST THING THAT HE CAN DO IS
He's playing it safe
ANALYZE THE THINGS SHE'D DO
He's trying to understand her actions
AND THE ONLY SOUND THAT HE CAN HEAR
He's tuning everything else out
A BROKEN HEART, POUNDING IN HIS EARS
He's hurting and heartbroken
ON THE NIGHT SHE LEFT, COUNTRY MUSIC MADE SENSE
The lyrics felt personal to him and resonated
IT'S LIKE DEJA VU, ALL OVER AGAIN
He's experiencing the same hurt and struggles as before
Contributed by Skyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.