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)
Help I'm A Rock
The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ahahahahahahaaa
Help I'm a rock, help I'm a rock, help I'm a rock!
Somebody, please, please!
Wow man, it's a drag being a rock
Help I'm a rock...
I wish I was anything but a rock
Heck, I'd even like to be a policeman
Hey, you know what, you know maybe if I practised, you know
Maybe if I passed my driving test
I could get a gig drivin' that bus and pick some freaks up
In front of Ben Franks, right!
Help I'm a cop, help I'm a cop, help I'm a cop!
(Help I'm a rock...), help I'm a cop, help I'm a cop!
It's a drag being a cop, I think I'd rather be the mayor
Always wondered what I was gonna be when I grew up, you know
Always wondered whether or not, whether or not I could make it,
You know, in society, because,
You know, it's a drag when you're rejected
So I tore the cover off a book of matches and I sent in
And I got this letter back that said, UHU, AHA
It can't happen here
It can't happen here
I'm telling you, my dear
That it can't happen here
Because I been checkin' it out, baby
I checked it out a couple a times, hmmmmmmmm
And I'm telling you
It can't happen here
Oh darling, it's important that you believe me
(Bop bop bop bop)
That it can't happen here
Who could imagine that they would freak out somewhere in Kansas...
Kansas Kansas tototototodo
Kansas Kansas tototototodo
Kansas Kansas
Who could imagine that they would freak out in Minnesota...
Mimimimimimimi Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota
Who could imagine...
Who could imagine
That they would freak out in Washington, D.C.
D.C. D.C. D.C. D.C. D.C.
It can't happen here
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
It can't happen here
It can't happen here
Everybody's safe and it can't happen here
No freaks for us
It can't happen here
Everybody's clean and it can't happen here
No, no, it won't happen here
I'm telling you it can't
It won't happen here
(Bop bop didi bop didi bop bop bop)
Plastic folks, you know
It won't happen here
You're safe, mama
You're safe, baby
You just cook a TV dinner
And you make it
(Bop bop bop)
No no no no
Oh, we're gonna get a TV dinner and cook it up
Go get a TV dinner and cook it up
Cook it up
Oh, and it won't happen here
(No no no no no no no no no no no
Man you guys are really safe
Everything's cool).
Who could imagine
Who could imagine
That they would freak out in the suburbs!
I remember (tu-tu)
I remember (tu-tu)
I remember (tu-tu)
They had a swimming pool
I remember (tu-tu)
I remember (tu-tu)
They had a swimming pool
I remember (tu-tu)
I remember (tu-tu)
They had a swimming pool.
And they thought it couldn't happen here
(duh duh duh duh duh)
They knew it couldn't happen here
They were so sure it couldn't happen here
But...
Suzie...
Yes yes yes--I've always felt that
Yes I agree man, it really makes it...yeah...
It's a real THING, man
And it really makes it
(Makes it)
Suzie, you just got to town,
And we've been, we've been very interested
In your development.
Forget it!
Hmmmmmmmmm
(It can't happen here)
The Mothers of Invention's song "Help I'm a Rock" is a clever critique on American society, particularly the idea that the country is safe from societal collapse or a fascist takeover. The rock in the title and chorus appears to represent the sense of hopelessness and helplessness of the average person in a system that doesn't care about their wellbeing. The song opens with the desperate plea of the rock for help, followed by the realization that being a rock is a drag. The rock then daydreams about being a driving a bus and picking up freaks in front of Ben Franks, imagining a more exciting life. The song then shifts to the singer's point of view, who wishes he was anything but a cop, and wonders if he could make it in society. He sends in a job application and receives a cryptic reply that "it can't happen here." The song ends with a bizarre spoken-word conclusion that seems to contradict the message of the rest of the song, indicating that the illusion of safety and security in America is just a "real THING" that "really makes it," implying that it's more important to believe in the illusion than to acknowledge the underlying problems.
Interestingly, the song was originally recorded as a single track that was over 15 minutes long, but was edited down to a 2:10 single by the record company. The song was included on The Mothers' debut album "Freak Out!," which is widely regarded as one of the first concept albums in rock history. Frank Zappa, the leader and founder of The Mothers, claimed that the album was a satire of American culture and consumerism. The song has been interpreted in many different ways, with some suggesting that it's also a commentary on the countercultural movement of the 60s.
Line by Line Meaning
Help I'm a rock, help I'm a rock, help I'm a rock!
The rock is upset about its current form and wishes it could be anything other than a rock.
Ahahahahahahaaa
Maniacal laughter
Somebody, please, please!
The rock is calling out for help, hoping someone can provide a solution to its plight.
Wow man, it's a drag being a rock
Being a rock is not enjoyable, and the rock wishes it could change its form.
I wish I was anything but a rock
The rock reiterates its dissatisfaction with its current form.
Heck, I'd even like to be a policeman
The rock is so unhappy with being a rock that it would prefer being a police officer, a profession many may view as undesirable.
Hey, you know what, you know maybe if I practised, you know
The rock is exploring a variety of options and considering ways to change its form.
Maybe if I passed my driving test
One potential option the rock is exploring is becoming a licensed driver.
I could get a gig drivin' that bus and pick some freaks up
Driving a bus and picking up passengers could be an exciting way for the rock to explore its new form.
In front of Ben Franks, right!
The rock fantasizes about a specific location where it could drive around and pick up passengers.
Help I'm a cop, help I'm a cop, help I'm a cop!
The rock has changed its mind and now wishes to be a police officer instead of a rock.
(Help I'm a rock...), help I'm a cop, help I'm a cop!
The rock continues to express its desire to change its form.
It's a drag being a cop, I think I'd rather be the mayor
The rock is still not completely satisfied with the idea of becoming a police officer and considers other professions.
Always wondered what I was gonna be when I grew up, you know
The rock reflects on its childhood and universally common question about future aspirations.
Always wondered whether or not, whether or not I could make it,
The rock wonders if it is capable of achieving its dreams of changing its form.
You know, it's a drag when you're rejected
The rock reflects on negative feelings associated with rejection.
So I tore the cover off a book of matches and I sent in
The rock remembers taking action to pursue its goals.
And I got this letter back that said, UHU, AHA
The rock recalls receiving a bizarre letter in response to its inquiries.
It can't happen here
The rock discusses the improbability of certain events taking place.
I'm telling you, my dear
The rock emphasizes its perspective on the situation.
That it can't happen here
The rock is confident in its belief that certain things are not possible.
Because I been checkin' it out, baby
The rock assures someone that it has thoroughly investigated the matter.
I checked it out a couple a times, hmmmmmmmm
The rock performed multiple checks/research on the topic.
And I'm telling you
The rock reiterates the importance of its message.
It can't happen here
The rock repeats its belief that certain events cannot occur.
Oh darling, it's important that you believe me
The rock is imploring someone to accept its point of view.
(Bop bop bop bop)
Imitated sounds of a musical instrument.
Who could imagine that they would freak out somewhere in Kansas...
The rock reflects on surprising events that have occurred in places that were unlikely to be affected.
Kansas Kansas tototototodo
Imitated sounds and repetition of the word 'Kansas'.
Who could imagine that they would freak out in Minnesota...
The rock continues to reflect on unexpected events taking place in unlikely locations.
Mimimimimimimi Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota
Imitated sounds and repetition of the word 'Minnesota'.
Who could imagine...
The rock again reflects on the unexpected nature of some events and how difficult they are to predict.
Who could imagine
The rock repeats itself in order to emphasize the unpredictability of certain situations.
That they would freak out in Washington, D.C.
The rock provides an example of another surprising event that occurred, this time in the nation’s capital.
D.C. D.C. D.C. D.C. D.C.
Imitated sounds and repetition of the letters 'D.C.'
Everybody's safe and it can't happen here
The rock reassures someone that they are safe and there is no need to worry.
No freaks for us
The rock expresses that there will not be any unusual situations to be concerned about.
Everybody's clean and it can't happen here
The rock reiterates that the environment is clean and there is no need to worry about certain events happening.
No, no, it won't happen here
The rock stresses that the likelihood of something occurring is very low and there is no reason to be anxious.
Plastic folks, you know
The rock identifies a type of person who may be less susceptible to certain events.
You're safe, mama
The rock is attempting to reassure a female figure in its life.
You're safe, baby
The rock is attempting to reassure a child figure in its life.
You just cook a TV dinner
The rock suggests a way to proceed with regular activities and remain safe.
And you make it
The rock provides a specific instruction for preparing a TV dinner.
(Bop bop bop)
Imitated sounds of a musical instrument.
No no no no
The rock repeats a phrase, perhaps to indicate a lack of agreement.
Oh, we're gonna get a TV dinner and cook it up
The rock suggests a specific plan of action for someone who is worried about specific events happening.
Go get a TV dinner and cook it up
The rock repeats its suggestion.
Cook it up
The rock again repeats its suggestion.
Who could imagine
The rock continues its theme of predicting the unpredictable.
That they would freak out in the suburbs!
The rock mentions another surprising event that occurred in a normally peaceful place.
I remember (tu-tu)
The rock is beginning to reminisce about past events.
They had a swimming pool
The rock recalls something specific from the past.
They knew it couldn't happen here
The rock recalls being told that certain things could not occur in a particular place.
They were so sure it couldn't happen here
The rock recalls the confidence that someone had in predicting what could not happen.
But...
The rock introduces the unexpected ending to a story.
Suzie...
The rock addresses someone named Suzie.
Yes yes yes--I've always felt that
Suzie is in agreement with something the rock has said.
Yes I agree man, it really makes it...yeah...
Suzie is again in agreement with the rock's opinion.
It's a real THING, man
Suzie emphasizes how important the previous topic of discussion is.
Suzie, you just got to town,
The rock is addressing Suzie directly, perhaps as a newcomer.
And we've been, we've been very interested
The rock and potentially others have taken an active interest in Suzie since she arrived.
In your development.
The rock uses an ambiguous term to describe the nature of their interest in Suzie.
Forget it!
Suzie dismisses the previous topic of discussion.
Hmmmmmmmmm
The sound of a drawn-out, contemplative hum.
(It can't happen here)
The rock repeats its refrain for the final time.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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