Kow Kow Calqulator
Steve Miller Band - Steve Band Miller Lyrics
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Was a very smooth operator
Had himself a pet alligator
Kept it in a chrome elevator, yeah
When the sun began to shine
The alligator come outside
Kow Kow played the chimes
As they travelled with a heavy load
They came across a dead horse at the side of the road
With two generals standing at each end
Fighting over whose fault it had been
And all that's left was this war
And they couldn't get things back together like they were before
Well, listen
Turn on your love light
Turn it on, let it shine
Inside your heart
Let it shine, turn it on
Your love light
Turn it on
Turn it on
Let it shine
Inside your mind
So many times Kow Kow had heard it said before
Oh, don't, Lord, don't go near that door
The cause of our evil you'll uncover
Because of our misery you discover
Well, misery seeks its own company
Kow Kow had heard it said
Now he sits there crying
Oh, with his hands across his head
Kow Kow Calqulator
Oh, a very smooth operator
Get back in your elevator
Kow Kow Calqulator
Turn on your love light
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Let it shine
The song "Kow Kow Calqulator" by Steve Miller Band is a psychedelic rock tune about an enigmatic character named Kow Kow Calqulator. He is depicted as a "very smooth operator" who has a pet alligator kept in a chrome elevator. Kow Kow and his alligator would go for a ride when the sun began to shine and Kow Kow played the chimes. However, during one of their travels, they came across a dead horse at the side of the road with two generals standing at each end fighting over whose fault it had been. The song then delves into the idea of war and how things can never go back to how they were before, leaving Kow Kow crying with his hands across his head.
The song's lyrics are poetic and ambiguous, making it open to interpretation. It could be interpreted as a commentary on war and how it affects individuals, or as an allegory for societal problems. The line, "misery seeks its own company," suggests that problems attract more problems, and the line "the cause of our evil you'll uncover, because of our misery, you discover" suggests that individuals can't find peace without acknowledging and confronting their problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Kow Kow Calqulator
This is the title of the song and refers to a character who is a smooth operator.
Was a very smooth operator
Kow Kow Calqulator is a smooth, intelligent, and resourceful individual.
Had himself a pet alligator
Kow Kow Calqulator owns an alligator as a pet.
Kept it in a chrome elevator, yeah
He keeps the alligator in a fancy chrome elevator.
When the sun began to shine
During the daytime.
The alligator come outside
The alligator comes out of the elevator.
Kow Kow played the chimes
Kow Kow plays a chime instrument.
Together they would go for a ride
Kow Kow and the alligator go on a ride together.
As they travelled with a heavy load
While carrying a lot of weight.
They came across a dead horse at the side of the road
They encounter a dead horse on the side of the road.
With two generals standing at each end
Two leaders (generals) are at opposite ends of the horse.
Fighting over whose fault it had been
They are arguing about whose responsibility it was for the dead horse.
And all that's left was this war
All that remains is a war between the two generals.
And they couldn't get things back together like they were before
They were unable to reconcile and undo the damage caused by the war.
Well, listen
A phrase used to get someone's attention.
Turn on your love light
A metaphorical expression to encourage someone to share their inner light and love.
Turn it on, let it shine
Encouragement to actively display their light and love to the world.
Inside your heart
The source of one's love and light.
Let it shine, turn it on
Encouragement to actively display their light and love to the world.
Your love light
The inner light of love that every individual possesses.
Inside your mind
One's thoughts and inner self.
So many times Kow Kow had heard it said before
Kow Kow had heard a phrase many times before.
Oh, don't, Lord, don't go near that door
A warning to not enter a certain door.
The cause of our evil you'll uncover
If you enter the door, you will discover the root of our evil.
Because of our misery you discover
By entering the door, you will discover the reason for our misery.
Well, misery seeks its own company
Misery is attracted to and creates more misery.
Kow Kow had heard it said
Kow Kow has heard this before.
Now he sits there crying
Kow Kow is now sitting and crying.
Oh, with his hands across his head
Description of how Kow Kow is crying.
Get back in your elevator
Kow Kow is told to return to his chrome elevator.
Turn on your love light
Encouragement to actively display their light and love to the world.
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
A vocalization used for emphasis or excitement.
Let it shine
Encouragement to actively display their light and love to the world.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Steve Miller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind