A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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Eligible, not too stupid
Intelligable and cute as Cupid
Knowledgable but not always right
Salvageable and free for the night

Well, my heart's running 'round like a chicken with its head cut off
All around the barnyard, falling in and out of love
Poor thing's blind as a bat, getting up, falling down, getting up
Who'd fall in love with a chicken with its head cut off?
Woah, nelly!

My wife doesn't understand me
Many dozens hope to land me
I'm for free love and I'm in free fall
This could be love or nothing at all

But my heart's running 'round like a chicken with its head cut off
All around the barnyard, falling in and out of love
The poor thing's blind as a bat, getting up, falling down, getting up
Who'd fall in love with a chicken with its head cut off?

We don't have to be stars exploding in the night, or electric eels under the covers
We don't have to be anything quite so unreal, let's just be lovers

Well, my heart's running 'round like a chicken with its head cut off
All around the barnyard, falling in and out of love
The poor thing's blind as a bat, getting up, falling down, getting up




Who'd fall in love with a chicken with its head cut off?
It ain't pretty

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Magnetic Fields' song A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off describe a person who is looking for love but seems to be going about it in an unconventional and frantic way. The person describes themselves as eligible, intelligent, cute, and knowledgeable but also acknowledges that they are not always right and may need some salvaging. Additionally, they declare themselves to be free for the night, indicating that they are not necessarily looking for a long-term commitment.


The chorus of the song compares the person's heart to a chicken with its head cut off, running around the barnyard and falling in and out of love. The metaphor emphasizes the person's confusion and lack of direction in their search for love. The line "Who'd fall in love with a chicken with its head cut off?" also suggests that the person may feel insecure about their prospects for finding a meaningful connection.


The third verse of the song takes a different direction, with the person declaring that they don't need to be stars or anything unreal to be lovers with someone. This sentiment suggests that the person is willing to be vulnerable and open to the possibility of love, even if it doesn't fit a traditional mold.


Line by Line Meaning

Eligible, not too stupid
I am single and capable enough to not make foolish decisions.


Intelligable and cute as Cupid
I can articulate well and I am charming like the god of love.


Knowledgable but not always right
I have knowledge, but I am not always correct.


Salvageable and free for the night
I can be rescued or saved, and I am available for a casual encounter.


Well, my heart's running 'round like a chicken with its head cut off
My feelings are erratic and frenzied.


All around the barnyard, falling in and out of love
My emotions are all over the place, going from loving to breaking up.


Poor thing's blind as a bat, getting up, falling down, getting up
My heart is ignorant and clumsy, falling in and out of love again and again.


Who'd fall in love with a chicken with its head cut off?
Who could love someone so lost and unsteady in their emotions?


Woah, nelly!
Exclamation of surprise or excitement.


My wife doesn't understand me
My spouse is not capable of comprehending my true self.


Many dozens hope to land me
There are many potential partners interested in being with me.


I'm for free love and I'm in free fall
I believe in love without obligations and I am falling deeply for someone.


This could be love or nothing at all
My feelings could be true love or nothing significant.


We don't have to be stars exploding in the night, or electric eels under the covers
We do not need to be anything too intense or exotic to be in love.


We don't have to be anything quite so unreal, let's just be lovers
We do not need to be fake or dramatic, let's just enjoy a romantic relationship.


It ain't pretty
The reality of my fickle feelings is not nice to look at or deal with.




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEPHIN RAYMOND MERRITT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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