The Flaming Lips are known for their lush, multi-layered arrangements, spacey lyrics and bizarre song titles. They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows, which typically feature animal suits, puppets, streamers, video projections and complex stage light configurations.
In 2002, Q magazine named The Flaming Lips one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die". In 2006, Oklahoma City named a street Flaming Lips Alley in their honor.
The group recorded several albums and EPs for Restless Records in the 1980s and early 1990s. After signing to Warner Brothers, they scored a #9 hit on the Billboard Alternative charts (and #55 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart) in 1994 with "She Don't Use Jelly". Although it would be their only hit single, the band has maintained critical respect and, to a lesser extent, commercial viability with sonically majestic albums such as 1995's Clouds Taste Metallic, 1999's The Soft Bulletin, 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and 2006's At War with the Mystics. The Flaming Lips' 12th studio album, Embryonic, was released in October of 2009. A complete cover of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon was released in May 2010. The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends, their collaborative album which features artists like Ke$ha, Bon Iver, Nick Cave and Erykah Badu, was released on Record Store Day, April 2012.
Their next studio album, tentatively titled The Terror, will be released in January 2013.
Their song "Do You Realize??" is the official State Rock Song of Oklahoma.
www.flaminglips.com
Be My Head
The Flaming Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, I really need one
'Cause it's used all its better days
You can be my head
'Cause I've ruined this one
Blasting holes where it used to be
And if it's not a big thing
You could swap or lend me
You should stop and ask me
Be my head, and I'll be yours
Be my head, and I'll be yours
You can be my head
Oh, they've eaten this one
Putting swirls in this giant hole
You can be my head
'Cause I can't afford to buy one
Seeking stars in its other side
And if it's not a big thing
You could swap or lend me
You should stop and ask me
Be my head, and I'll be yours
Be my head, and I'll be yours
Won't you be my head, and I'll be yours
Be my head and I'll be yours
Be my head and I'll be yours
Be my head and I'll be yours
The lyrics of The Flaming Lips's song Be My Head are open to interpretation, but have a theme of looking for someone to share the burden of thinking and making decisions with. The singer expresses a desire for someone to take over the role of the head, as they feel like they have "ruined this one" by overthinking and causing damage. They ask for someone to "swap or lend" their head, indicating a desire for shared responsibility in thinking and decision-making. The repetition of the lines "Be my head, and I'll be yours" reinforces this theme of partnership and mutual dependence.
The song's lyrics can be seen as a commentary on the struggle to make decisions and the overwhelming nature of constant thinking. It suggests that having someone to share this burden with could alleviate some of the pressure and lead to better decision-making. The use of metaphors such as "blasting holes" and "putting swirls in this giant hole" indicate the figurative damage caused by overthinking and a need for a fresh perspective.
Overall, The Flaming Lips's song Be My Head explores the idea of shared responsibility in thinking and decision-making. The lyrics suggest that having someone to share this burden with could lead to a better outcome and less pressure on the individual.
Line by Line Meaning
You can be my head
The singer is asking someone to act as their brain or guiding light.
Oh, I really need one
The singer feels lost without someone to show them the way.
'Cause it's used all its better days
The singer's brain or creativity has reached its limits and needs a reboot.
Because I've ruined this one
The artist feels that they've overused their current source of inspiration.
Blasting holes where it used to be
The artist has battered and drilled into their current source of inspiration to the point of destruction.
And if it's not a big thing
The singer is asking for a favor that is not too much trouble.
You could swap or lend me
The singer suggests that their proposed replacement doesn't have to be a permanent arrangement.
You should stop and ask me
The artist wants the other person to realize the importance of the offer and its potential impact.
Be my head, and I'll be yours
The artist is asking for a partnership where they can give back something in return.
Oh, they've eaten this one
The artist's current source of inspiration has been exhausted by others, leaving nothing for the artist.
Putting swirls in this giant hole
The other people have left their mark on the singer's source of inspiration, making it unrecognizable.
Because I can't afford to buy one
The artist is asking for a replacement because they cannot afford to buy their own.
Seeking stars in its other side
The singer has searched unsuccessfully for a new source of inspiration and is hoping the other person can provide it.
Won't you be my head, and I'll be yours
The singer is pleading with the other person to come to their aid and create a mutually beneficial relationship.
Be my head and I'll be yours
The singer is reiterating the importance of teamwork and helping one another out.
Be my head and I'll be yours
The artist is emphasizing again the importance of their partnership and how it can be mutually beneficial.
Be my head and I'll be yours
The artist repeats the line one last time, ensuring that the other person understands the significance of the request.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL IVINS, RONALD JONES, STEVEN DROZD, WAYNE COYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
evillink1
Arguably one of the most underrated songs ever recorded. IDK what is it about it, it does the trick.
DGB
I was never a big fan of the Lips but recently I came across "American Head" randomly on YT and was really impressed that 30 years later the Flaming Lips are still putting out quality music. The only other band that's keeping the bar high so many years later that I can think of is Built To Spill (check out 2015's Untethered Moon if you haven't).
Needless to say I started going back to the early albums with this one being the first. What a great album. There's not one filler track IMO. After being drowned with the radio playing "she don't use jelly" I never gave the album a listen and man do I regret it.
Karl Morris
if you like this you might like my brothers music, his name is Stu Morris
David Schlessinger
agreed. Extremely underrated band
Meredith Gletty
Such a sweetness. The playful lullabies we need in dark places ❤
Chris Rockey
My preschoolers like this song. We both love the deep voice "won't you"
WinkLinkletter
If they're not too young, they might also enjoy seeing Kids Interview Bands here on YouTube. There is an interview with Wayne Coyne that is great, as well as many others, including Dave Grohl and baby. Way to teach!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMJ6gmk2t_4
Another great Lips song/video for kids (got nieces and nephews) is "I Can Be A Frog". Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92TNIIbaBOo
Spenser Blakeney
This song has been stuck in my head for a week and I love it
Karl Morris
if you like this you might like my brothers music, his name is Stu Morris
Ramstakowitz Gilgathomore
This is brilliant. Thank you. I was in a dark time and just wanted to hear the flaming lips for the first time in a long time. Whoever put this together, thank you.