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It Overtakes Me
The Flaming Lips Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

One, two, one two, three four
It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me, oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, It Master-Slaves me
It overtakes me, oh oh oh I

It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me, oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, it wakes and bakes me
It overtakes me, oh oh oh I

You know that it isn't real
You know that it isn't real (you'll disappear in a black hole)
You know that it isn't real (floating out of control, oh wow)

It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me, oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me, oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, it Master-Slaves me
It overtakes me, oh oh oh I

You know that it isn't real
You know that it isn't real

It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me, oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, it wakes and bakes me
It overtakes me, oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me
It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me

And I'm there, looking up at the sky
And I'm scared, thinkin' 'bout the way that I
Don't understand anything at all
And how it overtakes me, and I am just so small
Do I stand a chance?

Overall Meaning

The Flaming Lips's song It Overtakes Me can be interpreted as a representation of the feeling of being overwhelmed and overtaken by something unknown or intangible. The repetition of the phrase "it overtakes me" throughout the song emphasizes the sense of being consumed by something larger and beyond one's control. The use of the phrase "Master-Slaves me" reinforces this idea, suggesting that whatever is taking over the singer is exerting complete and total control over them.


The repeated line "You know that it isn't real" could be seen as a reminder to the singer, or perhaps to the listener, that whatever is overtaking them is not actually a tangible threat, but instead a feeling or emotion that they are struggling to cope with. The reference to disappearing in a black hole and floating out of control adds to this sense of being consumed by something unknown and intangible.


The repeated refrain of "overtaking" and "waking and baking" could be interpreted in different ways. It could suggest a feeling of being overwhelmed by one's emotions, or possibly even by drug use. However, without more context it is difficult to say for sure.


Overall, It Overtakes Me is a haunting and repetitive song that captures the feeling of being overtaken by something beyond one's control. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but the sense of being consumed by something unknown and overwhelming is palpable throughout.


Line by Line Meaning

One, two, one two, three four
The beginning of a musical piece, indicating the count and time signature


It overtakes me, it overtakes me
The feeling of the unknown taking over and controlling the singer


It overtakes me, oh oh oh I
The repetition of the previous line with added emphasis on the singer's personal experience


It overtakes me, It Master-Slaves me
The feeling of being a slave to the unknown and being unable to resist its power


It overtakes me, it wakes and bakes me
Waking up to the feeling of the unknown and being consumed by it


You know that it isn't real
The singer's realization that the feeling is not grounded in reality


You know that it isn't real (you'll disappear in a black hole)
The warning that giving into the unknown will lead to one's demise


You know that it isn't real (floating out of control, oh wow)
The artist acknowledging the absurdity and unpredictability of the unknown


And I'm there, looking up at the sky
The artist envisioning themselves in a state of contemplation and helplessness


And I'm scared, thinkin' 'bout the way that I
The feeling of fear taking over the artist's mind and thoughts


Don't understand anything at all
The singer's lack of comprehension towards the unknown and its power


And how it overtakes me, and I am just so small
The realization that the unknown is much larger and more powerful than the artist


Do I stand a chance?
The singer questioning their ability to resist and fight against the unknown




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WAYNE COYNE, STEVEN DROZD, MICHAEL IVINS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

1947-MarsHasFractilDust-voldayearkms

It overtakes me, It overtakes me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, It Master-Slaves me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I

It overtakes me, It overtakes me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, It Wakes and Bakes me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I

You know that it isn't real
You'll disappear in a black hole
You know that it isn't real
Floating out of control.... Oh Wow

It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, It Master-Slaves me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I

And I'm there, looking up at the sky
And I'm scared, thinkin' 'bout the way that I
Don't understand anything at all...
And how it overtakes me... and I am just so small...
Do I stand a chance?



All comments from YouTube:

Scott O

This whole album is one of my favorite from Flaming lips !!!

ibpwalker88

It's underrated.

SSteven Ccross

Best album for me

Martin Cockroft

The Lips have more range in one song than most bands reach in an entire career.

Dashy is best pony

I love this song especially the last part its so beautiful.

Floyd J

by far probably my fav flip tune & album although a recent fan, i'm like where were these guys all this time! remember hearing she don't use jelly and dismissed em' my greatest loss, well there's few great loves that come to mind, but thats another story

SethHesio

Floyd J I know what you mean. But also, it’s never too late for new music and more good times :)

Garden of Eyes

years ago i dropped some acid. waiting while playing this album insanely loud in my room, it was during this song when my first lsd experience kicked in!!!!!! i'll never forget that.. it blew my mind all over the place!!!!!!!!!!!! amazing!

1947-MarsHasFractilDust-voldayearkms

It overtakes me, It overtakes me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, It Master-Slaves me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I

It overtakes me, It overtakes me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, It Wakes and Bakes me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I

You know that it isn't real
You'll disappear in a black hole
You know that it isn't real
Floating out of control.... Oh Wow

It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I
It overtakes me, It Master-Slaves me
It overtakes me... Oh oh oh I

And I'm there, looking up at the sky
And I'm scared, thinkin' 'bout the way that I
Don't understand anything at all...
And how it overtakes me... and I am just so small...
Do I stand a chance?

KoolThing14

I liked the part where it overtakes him.

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