Zappa disbanded the original Mothers of Invention line-up in 1970 to create music under his own name, but shortly reformed an entirely new band sometimes known as "The Mothers". This new incarnation had a strong vaudeville style and were much bawdier than before, with new vocalists Flo & Eddie, previously of the Turtles, taking the lead. After Zappa was pushed offstage in the Rainbow Theatre in 1971, he broke up this second band and concentrated on a jazzier style with a short-lived big band called the Grand Wazoo, but returned with a third lineup of the Mothers in 1973. This reformed group retained musical similarities to the previous group and the chamber music of the late '60s Mothers, but with a tighter, funkier sound; George Duke's soulful vocals being perhaps the most memorable addition. Whilst members of the new Mothers frequently appeared on albums credited solely to Zappa, three albums, Overnite Sensation, Roxy & Elsewhere and One Size Fits All display the name Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
The Mothers of Invention (1966-1969)
Frank Zappa - Musical director, guitar & vocals
Ray Collins - Lead vocalist, harmonica, tambourine, finger cymbals, bobby pin & tweezers 1966-early 1967, September 1967-August 1968
Jim Black - Drums
Roy Estrada - Bass & guitarron; boy soprano
Elliot Ingber - Alternate lead & rhythm guitar early 1966-September 1966
Jim Fielder - guitar, piano late 1966-February 1967
Don Preston - keyboards November 1966-August 1969
Bunk Gardner - woodwinds November 1966-August 1969
Billy Mundi - Drums November 1966-Decmber 1967
Euclid James Motorhead Sherwood - soprano, tambourine baritone saxophone & Roadie 1966, September 1967-August 1969
Ian Underwood -Woodwinds,Saxophone July 1967-August 1969
Arthur Dyer Tripp III - drums, timpani, vibes, marimba, xylophone, wood blocks, bells, small chimes December 1967-August 1969
Lowell George - Rhythm Guitar November 1968-May 1969
Buzz Gardner November 1968- August 1969
Core discography (note that the band's canon is nebulous, due to the often poorly demarcated overlap with Frank Zappa's solo discography; this list additionally omits albums released after the breakup of the band)
1966 - Freak Out!
1967 - Absolutely Free
1968 - We're Only in It for the Money
1968 - Cruising with Ruben & the Jets
1969 - Uncle Meat
1970 - Burnt Weeny Sandwich
1970 - Weasels Ripped My Flesh
1971 - Fillmore East - June 1971
1971 - 200 Motels
1972 - Just Another Band from L.A.
1972 - The Grand Wazoo
1973 - Over-Nite Sensation
1974 - Roxy & Elsewhere
1975 - One Size Fits All
1975 - Bongo Fury (with Captain Beefheart)
Didja Get Any Onya?
The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
MOO-AHHH
MOO-AHHH
Lowell: Years ago in Germany when I was a very small boy, zere was a lot of people standing around on ze corners asking questions: "Why are you standing on ze corner, acting ze way you act, looking like you look? WHY DO YOU LOOK THAT WAY?" And they ask me and I only would say: "I don't... I don't know, I'm just standing 'round ze corner waiting here... just in... in ze evening, and... and it's so nice outside... the night is so nice... why... are you just asking these questions..."
Didja
Get any
(Onya...)
MOO-AHHH
MOO-AHHH
MOO-AHHH
MOO-AHHH
The Mothers of Invention's song "Didja Get Any Onya?" starts off with a sound of people mooing, which may be a reference to cows or animals being herded. The lyrics are based on an encounter that Lowell George, the songwriter, had as a child in Germany. People would approach him and ask why he looked the way he did while standing on the corner. Lowell didn't have an answer for them and simply said that he was enjoying the night outside. The lyrics seem to be mocking these people who are overly concerned with appearances and social norms, which is a common theme throughout The Mothers of Invention's music.
The chorus of the song is "Didja get any Onya?" which is a slang term for sex. The phrase is repeated over and over again, almost like a chant, which could be interpreted as a commentary on how society obsesses over sex and places so much value on it. The song as a whole is a mix of nonsensical lyrics and social commentary, which is a common style for The Mothers of Invention. The use of sound effects like mooing and the repetition of certain phrases echoes their avant-garde style and experimentation with sound.
Overall, "Didja Get Any Onya?" is a song that critiques societal norms and attitudes towards sex, while also showcasing the band's unique style and experimentation with sound. The lyrics and sound effects used in the song create a surreal atmosphere that reflects the absurdity of the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Lowell: Years ago in Germany when I was a very small boy, zere was a lot of people standing around on ze corners asking questions:
The singer introduces themselves and mentions an experience in Germany where people would inquire about why others were standing on street corners.
"Why are you standing on ze corner, acting ze way you act, looking like you look? WHY DO YOU LOOK THAT WAY?" And they ask me and I only would say: "I don't... I don't know, I'm just standing 'round ze corner waiting here... just in... in ze evening, and... and it's so nice outside... the night is so nice... why... are you just asking these questions..."
People would ask why others look and act a certain way, and the singer responds that they are simply standing on the corner enjoying the nice evening.
Didja
Did you
Get any
Have sex with anyone
Onya onya onya onya...
On you, on repeat (referring to having sex on someone repeatedly)
(Onya...)
On you, as in having sex on someone.
MOO-AHHH
Sounds in the song.
MOO-AHHH
Sounds in the song.
MOO-AHHH
Sounds in the song.
MOO-AHHH
Sounds in the song.
Contributed by Jayden C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TarantuLandoCalcuLingus
RIP Ray Liotta
@Frankincensedjb123
Unlike many musicians, Frank was the consummate artist, or, should I say, sound doctor. He LOVED to play with sound, and rhythm, to see what would come of it. I grew up playing rock and remember loving loud sounds, why I loved to mow the lawn: the sound was deafening (great stuff). Frank was a composer, but one who loved soundscapes of the oddest variety. And it was his experimentation and doctoring of sound that made him the great composer that he was. One of my favorite pieces is Weasels Ripped My Flesh-- the power and the glory of just smashing sounds. Serious alternate entertainment.
@bubblerap7176
Brilliantly stated. You've won the Internet.
@user-fc2sy5uv9s
Very true, as should be of any great composer. -I like the little gentle giant reference you slipped in there too👌
@jfleminator
I make sure to downvote your comments everytime I see them. Are you the self proclaimed ambassador of Zappa?
@TarantuLandoCalcuLingus
@@jfleminator youre a douche, and also downvoted. Douche.
@Youtube.Commen-tater
@@jfleminator Did you just ask yourself a question?
@pudman31
This song came first, and since Frank produced Trout Mask Replica, he decided to use this song as a backing track for "The Blimp".
@TheSilentshinigami
Man does this bring back memories. I turned a friend onto this album when it was released in the very early 70's . He bought it, listened to it and then threw it in the garbage. He later became a Gynecologist. Karma
@SnowTheJamMan
And to think this was written buy a guy who DIDN'T use drugs