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
Two Little Men
Mucky Pup Lyrics
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THEY CAN'T STOP IT NOW, IT'S BEEN TEN YEARS MAYBE MORE
ONE IS SMALL AND DEVIOUS, WITH HURT ON HIS MIND
THE OTHER BIG AND STRONG, WITH PRIDE ON HIS SIDE
ONE PLAYS DIRTY, HE'LL DO ANYTHING TO WIN
THE OTHER FENDS OFF THE ATTACKS, AGAIN AND AGAIN
THE BATTLEGROUNDS ARE SCARRED, TORN TO PIECES
NEITHER CAN CLAIM VICTORY, TILL THE OTHER ONE IS DEAD
THERE'S TWO LITTLE MEN, WHO ARE KILLING A BOY
THEY'RE TREATING THE BOY, AS IF THE BOY WERE A TOY
EACH ONE HAS AN EAR, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD
THEIR GRIP IS TOO TIGHT, THEIR GRIP IS SO COLD
TWO LITTLE MEN - ONE BIG AND ONE SMALL
TWO LITTLE MEN - IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR
TWO LITTLE MEN - AND I CAN'T SEE YOU
TWO LITTLE MEN - I'M USING AS A METAPHOR
The lyrics to "Two Little Men" by Mucky Pup describe a metaphorical battle between two individuals who have been fighting for ten years or more. The lyrics suggest that one of the individuals is small and devious, with hurt on his mind, while the other is big and strong, with pride on his side. The battle they are fighting is described as dirty, with one of the men doing anything to win while the other fends off attacks. The battleground is described as scarred, torn to pieces, and ripped to shreds. The song suggests that victory cannot be claimed until one of the men is dead.
The second verse of the song describes the two little men as killing a boy, treating him like a toy. Each of them is holding onto an ear, with their grip too tight and too cold. The song suggests that there are two little men in the middle of a war, and that the lyrics are being used as a metaphor. The meaning of the song is open to interpretation, but it could be seen as a commentary on the destructive nature of conflict, and the toll it takes on those who are involved.
Line by Line Meaning
THERE'S TWO LITTLE MEN, WHO ARE FIGHTING A WAR
Two individuals are engaged in a long-lasting conflict
THEY CAN'T STOP IT NOW, IT'S BEEN TEN YEARS MAYBE MORE
The conflict has persisted for a considerable amount of time and shows no sign of stopping soon
ONE IS SMALL AND DEVIOUS, WITH HURT ON HIS MIND
One of the individuals is cunning and deceptive, and has personal grievances that fuel his participation in the conflict
THE OTHER BIG AND STRONG, WITH PRIDE ON HIS SIDE
The other individual is physically imposing and has strong convictions that motivate his involvement in the conflict
ONE PLAYS DIRTY, HE'LL DO ANYTHING TO WIN
One of the individuals is willing to use unethical tactics to gain an advantage and emerge victorious
THE OTHER FENDS OFF THE ATTACKS, AGAIN AND AGAIN
The other individual consistently repels the attacks launched by his adversary
THE BATTLEGROUNDS ARE SCARRED, TORN TO PIECES
RIPPED TO SHREDS
The environment in which the conflict takes place has been severely damaged and destroyed in the process
NEITHER CAN CLAIM VICTORY, TILL THE OTHER ONE IS DEAD
The conflict will not end until one of the individuals is defeated or killed
THERE'S TWO LITTLE MEN, WHO ARE KILLING A BOY
Two people are harming a defenseless and vulnerable child
THEY'RE TREATING THE BOY, AS IF THE BOY WERE A TOY
The child is being dehumanized and treated like an object
EACH ONE HAS AN EAR, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD
THEIR GRIP IS TOO TIGHT, THEIR GRIP IS SO COLD
Both individuals are obstinately holding on to their own perspective and refusing to listen to the other. They are holding the child too tight, and causing harm
TWO LITTLE MEN - ONE BIG AND ONE SMALL
TWO LITTLE MEN - IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR
TWO LITTLE MEN - AND I CAN'T SEE YOU
TWO LITTLE MEN - I'M USING AS A METAPHOR
The lyrics are using the imagery of two little men fighting a war and killing a boy as a metaphor for a conflict or injustice in a larger context
Contributed by Eva T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.