Like a Beach Rock revival, Shannon and the Clams take you back to a time when Judy and Johnny were your favorite worst couple, with the help of some very heartbreaking background vocals and guitar riffs of which The Beatles would be proud. Influences like The Beach Boys, The Shangri- La's, The Ronettes, and Patsy Cline shine through in songs like "When You're On", with front woman Shannon crooning like a scorned Leslie Gore, but with a rough unpolished edge inspired by the likes of The Cramps, Bad Brains, and fellow beach bum Nobunny.
Ozma
Shannon and the Clams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No it’s not little, not little too late. And they forgive you too.
I see you in my dreams, you’ve regrown all your teeth.
You’re sniffing flowers all day long and laying in the sun.
Your scent was loving garbage, I really miss it now.
Your silence, snore is deafening.
How am I going to sleep now.
And my mom thinks while she’s gone, chasing rabbits all day long.
I think I love you, I know I love you, I always loved you.
My mom still thinks she hears you.
Is it just the wind?
I can see you floating through stardust, happy and fat again.
Did I see you in my dreams? You’ve regrown all your teeth.
And my mom thinks while she’s gone, chasing rabbits all day long.
I think I love you, I know I love you, I always loved you.
The song "Ozma" by Shannon and the Clams starts with the line "Forgive those little rabbits, I forgive you now" which sets the tone for the entire song. This song seems to be about someone who has lost a beloved pet who has since passed away. The first verse seems to be about forgiveness, as the singer forgives rabbits (perhaps ones that the pet used to chase) and they forgive the singer in return. The second verse speaks of missing the pet's scent, and the silence left behind by their absence. The singer then says they see the pet in their dreams, but they have "regrown all their teeth," indicating that the pet is happy, healthy, and at peace.
The chorus of the song repeats "I think I love you, I know I love you, I always loved you." This line seems to convey a message of love to the pet even after they have passed away. The final verse talks about the singer's mom still hearing the pet, possibly in the wind. The pet is then visualized as floating through stardust, happy and fat again.
Overall, "Ozma" seems to be a song about the love for a pet that has passed away and how that love continues even after they are gone.
Line by Line Meaning
Forgive those little rabbits, I forgive you now.
I forgive not just the little rabbits, but also you as well.
No it’s not little, not little too late. And they forgive you too.
It's not too late to ask for forgiveness, and the rabbits forgive you too.
I see you in my dreams, you’ve regrown all your teeth. You’re sniffing flowers all day long and laying in the sun.
You appear in my dreams as a healthy and happy version of yourself, enjoying the pleasures of life.
Your scent was loving garbage, I really miss it now.
I miss even the things about you that others may find unpleasant, because they were still part of you.
Your silence, snore is deafening. How am I going to sleep now.
Even your annoying habits were part of what made you, and now that you're gone, they add to my missing you.
And my mom thinks while she’s gone, chasing rabbits all day long.
Even my mom's thoughts revolve around the memory of you chasing rabbits.
My mom still thinks she hears you. Is it just the wind?
The memory of your presence still lingers so strongly that my mom thinks she hears you, even though you're gone.
I can see you floating through stardust, happy and fat again. Did I see you in my dreams? You’ve regrown all your teeth.
In my imagination, you are now in a place where you are at peace and happy, enjoying even better health than before.
I think I love you, I know I love you, I always loved you.
My love for you was always there, and still is, even though you're no longer with me.
Contributed by Evan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Ruby_Ramone
Such cool vocals throughout. I love that this song is about Shannon's late pooch. I feel simultaneously happy and sad whenever I listen.
@KayentaRojo
Oh my god I was NOT expecting her voice to sound so good live!! I love this band even more now! The way she moves her voice up and down during the chorus is absolutely heavenly 😍🌵 This is my favorite song right now, it makes me feel so happy!
@MsAnneGuish
Love Shannon and the Clams!!! They are incredible live
@malakai713
so good! love the Wanda Jackson-esque growls. dreamy!
@yousefel-barry3958
Wanda jackson forever
@michellenorman7798
I love it. Such a voice.
@drewtones
One of my favorite bands. Her voice is beautiful 😍
@vvltrdvvn
Love Shannon and The Clams! 🙌🏻
@chriswieman
Crazy, crazy beautiful talent.
@chrisll21
Cody its amazing guitarist, the surf sounds hiper big