Mother's Day
Nada Surf/(Franimal) Lyrics
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Do you have the balls to ask?
What do you see when you look at a girl?
Is she a game you wanna win?
If no-one was looking what would you do to get in?
Do you have friends who would be proud if you went in for thekill?
Do you have friends who would do it even against her will?
What if they did that to your mother?
Why are we so slow?
I bet you think you're such a hottie, but a body afraid is not asexual body.
What do you see when you look at a girl?
Is she a game you wanna win?
If no-one was looking what would you do to get in?
Everybody's been laughed at and everybody's been left out but
That's no excuse to turn it around, no boy has the right to hold a girl down.
[Repeat: x2]
What if they did that to your sister?
What if they did that to your mother?
On your star wars sheets when you set the scene,
Was she seducing you, or did she want to scream?
It's you versus you.
[Repeat: x4]
I can't forget that tomorrow's mother's day.
[Repeat: x2]
I'm talking to you, you know who you are, going too far.
[Repeat: x2]
You'll feel good for ten seconds, she'll be screwed up for life.
[Repeat: x4]
Blue balls and all of that bullshit.
Nada Surf's song Mother's Day is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the objectification of women and the societal pressure placed on men to view women as objects to be conquered. The lyrics ask hard-hitting questions of the listener, forcing them to examine their own behavior and attitudes towards women. The first verse asks if the listener has the courage to ask themselves if they view women as simply a challenge to be won, even going so far as to question whether they have friends who would support them in coercing a woman into sex.
The chorus then forces the listener to confront this behavior by asking how they would feel if it was their own sister or mother who was being treated in such a way. The second verse continues to challenge the listener to examine their own actions and motives, asking if they have ever taken advantage of a woman or used their power or influence to manipulate them sexually. The bridge of the song is particularly powerful, as it calls out the typical male mindset that views women as objects of desire, without any regard for their feelings, thoughts, or autonomy. The song ends with a powerful reminder that the consequences of these actions can be lifelong, for the person being victimized.
Overall, Nada Surf's Mother's Day is a powerful commentary on the ways in which societal norms and expectations can encourage harmful and abusive behavior towards women. The lyrics challenge the listener to examine their own role in perpetuating this culture, and to take responsibility for their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna know, I wanna know,
The singer is curious and wants to ask a question.
Do you have the balls to ask?
The singer is wondering if the listener has the courage to ask a potentially difficult question.
What do you see when you look at a girl?
The singer is curious about how the listener views women.
Is she a game you wanna win?
The singer questions whether the listener views women as conquests.
If no-one was looking what would you do to get in?
The singer is asking if the listener would treat women differently if there were no social repercussions to their actions.
Do you have friends who would be proud if you went in for the kill?
The singer is questioning the listener's choice in friends, wondering if they perpetuate harmful behavior towards women.
Do you have friends who would do it even against her will?
The singer is asking if the listener associates with people who would engage in non-consensual behavior towards women.
What if they did that to your sister?
The singer is asking the listener to consider how they would feel if someone treated their female family members in such a manner.
What if they did that to your mother?
The singer is asking the listener to consider how they would feel if someone treated their own mother in such a manner.
Why are we so slow?
The singer is questioning why there is little action being taken to prevent harmful behavior towards women.
I bet you think you're such a hottie, but a body afraid is not asexual body.
The singer is questioning the listener's perceived attractiveness and stating that fear does not equate to consent.
Everybody's been laughed at and everybody's been left out but that's no excuse to turn it around, no boy has the right to hold a girl down.
The singer is arguing that past negative experiences do not excuse harmful or abusive behavior towards women.
On your Star Wars sheets when you set the scene, was she seducing you, or did she want to scream?
The singer is asking the listener to consider whether they are perceiving a woman's actions as seductive or whether they are missing signs of discomfort or distress.
It's you versus you.
The singer is highlighting that ultimately, the listener's actions are their responsibility and not influenced by external factors.
I can't forget that tomorrow's Mother's Day.
The singer is reflecting on the upcoming holiday and the importance of respecting and appreciating women.
I'm talking to you, you know who you are, going too far.
The singer is directly addressing someone they believe is engaging in harmful behavior towards women.
You'll feel good for ten seconds, she'll be screwed up for life.
The singer is arguing that engaging in harmful behavior towards women may provide temporary pleasure for the perpetrator, but can have long-lasting negative consequences for the victim.
Blue balls and all of that bullshit.
The singer is dismissing the idea that men are entitled to sex and that women owe them anything in return.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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