Papa Was a Rodeo
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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I like your twisted point of view, Mike
I like your questioning eyebrows
You've made it pretty clear what you like
It's only fair to tell you now

that I leave early in the morning
and I won't be back till next year
I see that kiss-me pucker forming
but maybe you should plug it with a beer, cause

Papa was a rodeo, Mama was a rock'n'roll band
I could play guitar and rope a steer before I learned to stand
Home was anywhere with diesel gas, Love was a trucker's hand
Never stuck around long enough for a one night stand
Before you kiss me you should know
Papa was a rodeo

The light reflecting off the mirror ball
looks like a thousand swirling eyes
They make me think I shouldn't be here at all
You know, every minute someone dies

What are we doing in this dive bar
How can you live in a place like this
Why don't you just get into my car
and I'll take you away I'll take that kiss now, but

(Boy) Papa was a rodeo

And now it's 55 years later
We've had the romance of the century
After all these years wrestling gators
I still feel like crying when I think of what you said to me

Papa was a rodeo





Before you kiss me you should know, Papa was a rodeo
What a coincidence, your Papa was a rodeo too

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields's song "Papa Was a Rodeo" speaks about an unusual love story between two individuals who seem to have nothing in common. The song starts with the female protagonist complimenting the male protagonist named Mike on his unique perspective and outlook. She further mentions that she is leaving early the next day and will not return until next year. Although the male protagonist seems interested in a romantic gesture, she informs him that she comes from a background of rodeos, and her father was one, making her apprehensive about getting into a relationship.


Her home was never in one place, and she was often on the road with her trucker father. She lived in trucks and motel rooms, and love was the trucker's hand. The female protagonist learned to play the guitar and rope a steer before she could even stand.


The song then moves forward to the present day, where both the characters are much older. They have had the "romance of the century" and have gone through several ups and downs. Despite all of it, she still thinks of her father and his rodeo lifestyle. She says, "Papa was a rodeo," as a reminder to Mike that their worlds and upbringings are vastly different.


The song is an ode to finding love in unconventional places and how two people can connect despite differing backgrounds. It speaks of the transitory nature of life and love, and how certain memories linger for years.


Line by Line Meaning

I like your twisted point of view, Mike
I appreciate your unconventional perspective, Mike


I like your questioning eyebrows
Your inquisitive facial expression intrigues me


You've made it pretty clear what you like
You have been explicit about your preferences


It's only fair to tell you now
It is appropriate to inform you at this time


that I leave early in the morning
I depart at the crack of dawn


and I won't be back till next year
I will not return until the following year


I see that kiss-me pucker forming
I observe your lips protruding in anticipation of a kiss


but maybe you should plug it with a beer, cause
Perhaps you should soothe your longing with a drink, because


Papa was a rodeo, Mama was a rock'n'roll band
My father was a rodeo performer, my mother was a rock musician


I could play guitar and rope a steer before I learned to stand
I became skilled at playing guitar and lassoing cattle before I could even walk


Home was anywhere with diesel gas, Love was a trucker's hand
My home was anywhere that had diesel fuel, and I associated love with the rough hands of truck drivers


Never stuck around long enough for a one night stand
I never stayed in one place long enough for a brief sexual encounter


Before you kiss me you should know
You should be aware before we kiss


The light reflecting off the mirror ball
The gleam emanating from the disco ball


looks like a thousand swirling eyes
Resembles a multitude of spinning staring orbs


They make me think I shouldn't be here at all
These images cause me to question my presence in this place


You know, every minute someone dies
It is a sobering reality that someone passes away every moment


What are we doing in this dive bar
What is our purpose for being in this seedy establishment


How can you live in a place like this
I am curious how you are able to tolerate residing here


Why don't you just get into my car
Why don't you come with me in my vehicle


and I'll take you away I'll take that kiss now, but
I will whisk you away and kiss you now, however


(Boy) Papa was a rodeo
Again, my father was a rodeo performer


And now it's 55 years later
Now, 55 years have elapsed


We've had the romance of the century
We have experienced the most intense romance of our lives


After all these years wrestling gators
Despite all these years of grappling with alligators


I still feel like crying when I think of what you said to me
I continue to feel melancholic when recalling your words to me


Papa was a rodeo
One more time, my father was involved in rodeo performances


Before you kiss me you should know, Papa was a rodeo
Once again, I am reminding you that my father was a rodeo performer


What a coincidence, your Papa was a rodeo too
How coincidental, your father was also a rodeo performer




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Merritt

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@omixochitl7391

Chills every time esp when “Mike” starts singing

@mannybliss541

He’s gay lol

@darkenlight22

I just pushed first empty bottle of whiskey and cracked my second and this song still is good.... With love from Vegas.

@calumstephens9000

Honestly one of the all time great love songs.

@kglamsch

Beautiful song, and really nice film. Makes me homesick for the U.S. Nothing better than roadtripping the American West. Thank you.

@EloisaAndAbelard

this is a great song. His deep voice, the slow, relaxed tempo.

@travisclarke3513

I used to have that same MC5 shirt. I miss it. Perfect song, of course. Happy 20 years!

@stanusher5225

For some reason this song makes me cry my heart out......

@nanceadler1017

Every single time - right when “Mike” comes in...greatest love song -

@jpwriter

This fantastic! The shaky movie, the planned "randomness" - everything! just works. I especially love the opening with the sunspot on the windshield. Great work. Very pleased to come across it - especially since it is one of my favorite love songs. I am also a bit envious. Thanks for sharing it.

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