Background
In the beginning, Mikal Moore [(real name: Michael Moorhead; High School Nickname: "Gimme")] and Randy Cross conceived Mutha's Day Out through infleunce of the Beastie Boys. Mutha's Day Out was originally intended to be a Beastie Boys knock-off, and they had three vocalists (Mikal, Brice, and Randy). The name was thought up by Brice and comes from a daycare center in Batesville that kids could go to for pre-school in Methodist churches. Jeff had been kicked out of a band he and Chuck were in before Mutha's Day Out because he did not have a car. Right after that occurred, Mikal asked Jeff to be in a band that would sound like "Faith No More, Beastie Boys, and Ozzy Osbourne." When the band first came together, Lance was 21 years old, Mikal was 20 years old, Brice was 18 years old, Chuck was 17 years old, Rodney was 17 years old, and Jeff was 15 years old. In the early days, the band would work on farms working hard hours during the day and do Mutha's Day Out by evening. Chuck was just a guitar technician at first for the band and would drive them to gigs. In April 1992, the band traveled to Memphis in search of a cheap recording studio. They found the studio they were looking for that belonged to recording engineers named Doug Easley and Davis McCain. After producing Mutha's Day Out's first in studio, dubbed the Original Demo 1992, which consisted of over 16 tracks, Doug was so inspired by their work that he booked the band to play in the Crossroads Music Festival the very same week. In the same performance, Mutha's Day Out's first, a representative from Chrysalis Records named Karen DuMonte was present, and was there to see and sign another band. However, after seeing MDO's performance, she liked Mutha's Day Out so much they were offered to go to the studio the next day, while receiving a record contract the next day, as well. They became the youngest rock band to be signed by such a major label in years.
The album
They went to the studio to record their only album, My Soul is Wet. However, Randy Cross left the band the day after they got the record label and Lance was kicked out a week afterwards. The band kicked Lance out of the band after the record company said he did not fit the image of the rest of the band because of his weight and his stage presence he did not move around on the stage he just stood in one place. So they replaced him with Chuck Schaaf. Halfway through the production of the album, Greenforth Pham, a Vietnamese kid who was a close friend of Mikal and Brice's, committed suicide, and thus the album was dedicated in his memory. The album was finished and then released on October 19th, 1993. Many of the people who lived in Batesville, which is surrounded with gospel and country music influence, did not like Mutha's Day Out and their music. They received little or no support from their hometown. Yet many of the songs written by Mutha's Day Out contain religious elements and impressions of their childhoods.
The tour
Mutha's Day Out toured the United States and Europe from late 1993 to late 1994. They were opening for such bands as Jackyl, King's X, Overkill, Sugartooth, and the Bullet Boys. The band increased the tempo of all of their songs live. Jeff, at one point during the tour, was in a leg brace having dislocated his knee the night before at a club gig in Birmingham, Alabama, but was still insistent on playing. Even with the leg brace on, he was still moving around on stage. During their tour in the United States, they stayed in cheap hotels to lower the cost of the record company's tour bill. Many people who met and saw them on tour thought that their friendliness and youth were refreshing. People in Paris enjoyed and liked them so much, that when they played there, extra security had to be called in. A live E.P. of the show at the Virgin Megastore in Paris was released, but in limited quantities. It was actually taped at a different gig in Paris, but released under the Virgin Megastore name. It is so rare that, to this day, only Chuck has a copy of it.
The big break
Mutha's Day Out received their big break when they appeared in the 1995 movie Mortal Kombat, during Scene 2, inside the techno bar, while Sonya searches for Kano amongst a large crowd moshing to them. They received a call on tour and were asked to take a few days to go to Hollywood and film their scene. Brice said they took two weeks to film the scene, however, their scene turned out to be a lot shorter. Their song, "What U See," is featured on the soundtrack to Mortal Kombat. It is looped three times to form a four minute song. The looped song also features a short cowbell intro and the removal of the foul language the song had originally contained. The movie grossed over 100 million dollars and the soundtrack went platinum in 10 days.
The break-up
Mikal left the band in September of 1994, but this had been discussed and dealt with already with Chrysalis before the album even came out. They asked him to do the tour for the album, and he agreed. He wanted to pursue a Christian rock band and Mutha's Day Out was not his taste. The band brought in another singer from Kansas City, but a few weeks after that happened, the band dissolved. Nothing came of the switch. Jeff confirmed that the band broke up due to their record label. They kept making them act in ways and do things which they didn't want to be a part of. Due to their youth, the band didn't realize that having a major record deal would be so difficult to pursue. They got sick of doing things they didn't want to do, so they called it quits and returned to their hometown. There was a rumor posted on the Internet that there is a second Mutha's Day Out album out there, with new material, and a live version of "Locked." However, this has been disproved by Jeff Morgan himself, and does not actually exist, although they did write an unreleased song called "I Am Dead," the name of the "second" MDO album.
Today
Mikal Moore is married with two daughters and in a christian rock band called Gazer. Brice Stephens returned to Batesville after a 2-year stay in Florida and is currently jamming with Jeff Morgan in a band called All Called Liar. He was at last known to be washing dishes at a local eatery and to be living with his mom. Chuck Schaaf played in Jeff's band Rwake until 2002 and has since then formed a band called Deadbird in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with his brother, Phillip Schaaf. Jeff Morgan has just recently returned to Batesville and plays drums for a band called Rwake and All Called Liar. Lance Branstetter owns his own recording studio in Batesville and helps run a large farming operation owned by his family. Randy Cross is currently a loan officer at a bank in Batesville and teaching banking and accounting classes at a local college. Rodney Moffitt returned to Batesville and worked for the city mowing yards , and now works for a contractor hanging dry wall.
Other facts
* Brice Stephens is the one pictured on the album cover in the background, and the girl in front is a friend of his. The Batesville police even tried to stop the shooting of the Locked video because they thought, since she was in a white dress, they were recording a child pornography video.
* The preacher speaking in the songs "My Soul is Wet," "Through Mine," and in the background of "I Thirst" is, to this day, unknown to any of the band members. Chuck's amp received radio signals in studio, and there was a preacher talking to a crowd. They thought it was interesting, so they pressed record.
* In their Mortal Kombat appearance, the director filmed them playing and headbanging silently so they could later edit in the song "What U See" in the background. The scene was actually filmed in an old bomb shelter in Hollywood.
* "What U See/We All Bleed Red" was the very first song ever written by Mutha's Day Out.
* In "Memories Fade," the drummer for Survivor provided the drum parts.
* "Ding-Ding Man" is actually based upon a guy who would drive a Hostess Ding Dongs 18-wheeler truck and would make the band go away whenever they loitered in a parking lot near his bakery.
What You See
Mutha's Day Out Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why don't you come and open my little door
I'll take you to a place not in heaven and hell
Where the biggest lies will all wait
Truth in motion, big commotion
The world as it turns in liberal devotion
Left turn right turn no turn at all
Rich man poor man under the law
(Break it down)
Ugly, pretty, white or black
You're not from the same side of the track
That's right for your little mind
Your pointing and raging all the time
Invitation only you weren't invited
With a 9mm it seems you've decided
Blow away pretty, blow away rich,
Blow away your girl because she's a fucking bitch
What you see
What you see
What you see
I love me
Opposite sides of the street we live
But the fence in the middle no-one could build
That high, individually, you're running away
But coming to see, the pain from inside
Live on the outside free from you but you can't Love me, hate me, hate me some more
Slam my face to the fucking door
What you see
What you see
What you see
I love me
The lyrics to Mutha's Day Out's song "What U See/We All Bleed Red" are a commentary on the divisions that exist between people of different races, classes, and backgrounds in today's society. The opening lines refer to the history of racism, with a white man inviting a black man into his world of lies and deception. However, the song also deals with other forms of division, such as those based on wealth and social status, as well as those based on physical appearance.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "What you see, I love me," which can be interpreted as a statement of self-love and acceptance in the face of judgment and discrimination from others. The song suggests that these divisions are ultimately meaningless, as we all bleed the same color regardless of our differences.
The final lines of the song refer to the violence and hate that often arise from these divisions, as individuals lash out against those they see as different or inferior. The lyrics suggest that this cycle of hate and violence can only be broken by recognizing our common humanity and learning to love and accept one another.
Overall, the lyrics to "What U See/We All Bleed Red" offer a powerful message of unity and acceptance, urging listeners to look beyond their differences and embrace their shared humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
White man said to the black man poor
A white man condescendingly asked a black man who lacked economic resources why he won't enter a space with him
Why don't you come and open my little door
The white man was offering to let the black man into his small space, but it was not a genuine offer
I'll take you to a place not in heaven and hell
The white man was making a false promise that he would take the black man to a place that transcends both good and bad, just to gain his trust
Where the biggest lies will all wait
The place the white man was taking the black man to was filled with deceptions
Truth in motion, big commotion
Contrary to the white man's promises, there was no real truth in the space they went to, only chaos and commotion
The world as it turns in liberal devotion
The world operates with progressive ideologies, but it still has room for bias, prejudice, and oppression
Left turn right turn no turn at all
Regardless of the direction you go, you may still end up in a place that's not beneficial to some people
Rich man poor man under the law
Even when laws are in place, social hierarchies still influence how they are enforced, with wealthier people having more legal advantages
Ugly, pretty, white or black
Regardless of someone's appearance or ethnicity, they can be treated unfairly based on societal prejudices
You're not from the same side of the track
People from different socioeconomic backgrounds can experience vastly different problems and opportunities
That's right for your little mind
The singer implies that someone who simplifies problems based on surface-level characteristics has a small or simplistic perspective
Your pointing and raging all the time
Someone who generalizes and criticizes without context is quick to judge other people's experiences
Invitation only you weren't invited
The singer indicates that certain spaces are exclusive and invite-only, which makes it difficult for uninvited individuals to gain recognition or acceptance
With a 9mm it seems you've decided
Someone who feels rejected may resort to violent actions to exact revenge
Blow away pretty, blow away rich,
The singer implies that someone's outward appearance or financial resources don't make them immune to danger or harm
Blow away your girl because she's a fucking bitch
The artist implies that some people may resort to violence against women because they feel rejected and angry
Opposite sides of the street we live
The artist suggests that people may come from different backgrounds, but they can still physically live close to each other
But the fence in the middle no-one could build
There are societal barriers that prevent people from different backgrounds from understanding or empathizing with each other
That high, individually, you're running away
People may feel a sense of alienation and choose to distance themselves from those who don't understand their struggles
But coming to see, the pain from inside
Those who choose to confront their pain may develop a greater sense of empathy towards others who are going through similar experiences
Live on the outside free from you but you can't
Those who choose to leave their pain behind may still have to deal with the societal barriers that prevent them from fully integrating themselves into mainstream society
Love me, hate me, hate me some more
Regardless of how someone feels about the artist, they cannot change who the artist is or what they stand for
Slam my face to the fucking door
Those who feel threatened by the singer's message may attempt to silence them or prevent them from being heard
What you see
The artist acknowledges that people may judge them based on surface-level characteristics
What you see
The singer repeats the line to emphasize that people may simplify their identity based on what they see
What you see
The singer implies that people may not truly understand them unless they look beyond surface-level characteristics
I love me
Regardless of societal prejudices or threats, the singer loves who they are and what they stand for
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@scottpriddy1417
Actual lyrics from the CD cover (parentheticals not listed):
White man said to the black man poor
(Won't you) come and open my little door
I'll take you to a place between heaven and hell
Where the biggest liars will always tell
The truth in motion, big commotion
The world as it turns in liberal devotion
Left turn, right turn, no turn at all
Rich man poor man under the law (break it down)
Ugly, pretty, white or black
You're not from the same side of the track
That's right in your little mind
You're pointing and raging all the time
Invitation only you weren't invited
With a 9 mm it seems you've decided
To blow away pretty, blow away rich
Blow away his girl because she's a f***in' bitch
What you see, What you see,
What you see, I love me
Opposite sides of the street we live
But the fence in the middle no one could build
That high individually,
You're running away but you're coming to see
The pain from the inside, live on the outside
Free from you but you can't hide
Love me, hate me, hate me some more
Slam my face in the f***in' door
@Raphael2885
+MaharlikaAWA I did the same shit. My lyrics were , "batman said to the command core giberish"giberish giberish"
The real lyrics are actually pretty good though , once you read them you can hear them and the make sense:
White man said to the black man poor
Come and open my little door
I'll take you to a place between heaven and hell
Where the biggest liars will always tell
The truth in motion, big commotion
The world as it turns in liberal devotion
Left turn right turn no turn at all
Rich man poor man under the law
Ugly, pretty, white, or black. Your not
From the same side of the track that's right
For your little mind your pointing and raging
All the time. Invitation only you weren't
invited with a 9mm It seems you've
Decided to blow away pretty blow away rich
Blow away your girl cause she's a fucking bitch
What you see - What you see
What you see - we bleed red
Opposite sides of the street we live
But the fence in the middle no one could build
That high, individually, you're running away
But coming to see, the pain from inside
Live on the outside free from you but you
Can't hide. Love me hate me hate me some more
Slam my face in the fucking door
What you see - What you see
What you see - we bleed red
@rogerthat155
+MaharlikaAWA WHITE MAN SAY TO THE BLACK MAN POO WHATS A COMIN OVER MINE A DO TORE
AH TAKE IT TO THE PISS DOWN HEAVEN AND HELL WE THE BIGGEST LIES BUT ALWAYS
TRUTH DID NOTION BIG EMOTION REAL INTERNS AND LIVING DEVOTION
LEFT TURN RIGHT TURN LIVIN IT ALL RISK THAT POOR MAN HEAVEM ALONG
BREAK IT DOWN HOOTY WILD FLAG
NOWT FOR THE SAME SIDE OF THE TRACK
LETS FIGHT
YOUR LEGS TO MINE
POINTIN AND RAGIN ALL THE TIME
YOU CHASE GOLD AND YOU WANTED VIOLENCE
NOT EMMAMAL SEE THROUGH THE SIDE
BLOWIN PREE
BLOWIN RICH
BLOW IS GO COS SHES A FUCKIN BITCH!!!
WHAT YOU SEE !!! WHAT YOU SEE !!! WHAT YOU SEE WHAYAYAYAMMEEEEEEEEE OW!!!
@Hambag2009
Mortal Kombat soundtrack was pivotal in opening my ears to much better music, i was 14 then. Good memories
@TTumlinson1
Similar story for me, got the soundtrack on cassette tape when I was 10. Been a fan of metal ever since that day lol
@remytv
It was absolutely a strong influence on my music taste. It was one of the first album I ever listened to often.
@showdown2006
I remember walking into a music world buying the soundtrack just for the techno syndrome theme. The rest of the soundtrack really opened me up to a brand new world of music of bands I still love.
@freddy0288
I heard this song on Mortal Kombat Movie and the song rocks!!!! and still rocks!!!! EPIC SONG!!!!
@airthief36
I am a time traveler from 1995, I came here to tell you all that this album still rocks.
@dewaynetucker2313
The lead singers one of my best friends. I'm so proud of him and having the guts to do what he did. These boys were young and went thru Hell before they finally got signed. It wasn't pretty. His life's changed now. He's a christian. I think has a band that does the music for his church.
@wispyt1638
That’s epic The next time you see him could you tell him his band is my favorite and I still listen to them and I’m only 16!
@TheGATOFRIO
Dude they signed young as shit! How much he'll can u go through as a teenager?
@dewaynetucker2313
@Charmcity77homeless. Starvation. Fear for your life