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)
Plastic People
The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The President of the United States!
"Fella Americans...Doot, Doot, Doot..."
He's been sick!--Doot! Doot!
Some chicken soap
Plastic people!
Oh, baby, now you're such a drag
I know it's hard to defend an unpopular policy
Every once in a while--
Plastic people!
Oh, baby, now you're such a drag
And there's this guy from the CIA he's creepin'
Around Laurel Canyon
A fine little girl She waits for me
She's as plastic as she can be
She paints her face With plastic goo
And wrecks her hair With some shampoo
Plastic people
Oh, baby, now you're such a drag
"I dunno...sometimes I just get tired
Of ya honey--it's...ah..your
Hair spray...or something..."
Plastic people
Oh, baby, now you're such a drag
"I hear the sound of marching feet...
down Sunset Boulevard to Crescent Heights
...and there...at Pandora's box...
We are confronted with...a vast
Quantity of...Plastic people..."
Take a day and walk around
Watch the Nazi's Run your town
Then go home and check yourself
You think we're singing
'Bout someone else
But you're Plastic people
Oh, Baby, now
You're such a drag
Me see a neon Moon above
I searched for years I found no love
I'm sure that love Will never be
A product of Plasticity
A product of Plasticity
PLASTIC, PLASTIC PEOPLE--PLA-HA-HA-HA
HA-PLASTIC--You are--your foot--your hair
--your nose--your arms--you suck--you love
--you are--your being is--you're plastic--blah
--blah--blah--blah plastic Peoples
-A prune is not a vegetable
--cabbage is a vegetable; makes it O.K.
--plastic people--plastic People
--you dream about...you think about...you eat
...you are...Ooo-Hoo-Hoo...
purple prancing--plastic People-
Pee-Pee-Pee-Pee-Pee-Peep!
The Mothers of Invention's song Plastic People is a satirical commentary on the superficiality and conformity of American society in the 1960s. The song begins with a mock speech by the President of the United States, who is portrayed as an inept and sickly figure. The lyrics then move on to describe the "plastic people" of American society, who are depicted as artificial and shallow beings. The song's refrain, "Oh, baby, now you're such a drag," serves as a critique of the emptiness of these characters.
The second half of the song introduces a character from the CIA who is described as "creeping around Laurel Canyon," which was a known hotspot for counterculture activity in Los Angeles at the time. The lyrics also describe a "fine little girl" who is as "plastic" as possible, painting her face and ruining her hair with shampoo. The song ends with a call to action, urging listeners to take a day and walk around, watching the "Nazis" run their town before returning home to check themselves and realize that they, too, are plastic people.
Overall, Plastic People is a biting satire that criticizes American society's obsession with consumerism and surface-level appearances. The song's lyrics are delivered in a sarcastic and irreverent tone, showcasing The Mothers of Invention's bold and subversive style.
Line by Line Meaning
He's been sick!--Doot! Doot!
The President has been unwell.
And I think his wife is gonna bring him
Some chicken soap
The President's wife will visit him and bring some chicken soup to aid in his recovery.
Plastic people!
Oh, baby, now you're such a drag
There are people who are inauthentic and insincere, and they are a burden on those around them.
I know it's hard to defend an unpopular policy
Every once in a while--
It's difficult to advocate for and explain an unpopular decision or view.
And there's this guy from the CIA he's creepin'
Around Laurel Canyon
An operative from the Central Intelligence Agency is conducting surveillance in the Laurel Canyon neighborhood.
A fine little girl She waits for me
She's as plastic as she can be
She paints her face With plastic goo
And wrecks her hair With some shampoo
A young woman is waiting for the singer, and she has transformed herself using copious amounts of cosmetics, hair products, and plastic surgery.
Plastic people
Oh, baby, now you're such a drag
There are people who are inauthentic and insincere, and they are a burden on those around them.
"I dunno...sometimes I just get tired
Of ya honey--it's...ah..your
Hair spray...or something..."
Sometimes the singer becomes fed up with their partner, possibly due to the cosmetic and health products they use.
"I hear the sound of marching feet...
down Sunset Boulevard to Crescent Heights
...and there...at Pandora's box...
We are confronted with...a vast
Quantity of...Plastic people..."
The singer hears the noise of people walking down Sunset Boulevard, and they become surrounded by a large crowd of insincere individuals.
Take a day and walk around
Watch the Nazi's Run your town
Then go home and check yourself
You think we're singing
'Bout someone else
The singer implores their audience to spend a day observing the divisive and hateful effects of fascism, and then to reflect upon their own behavior and inauthenticity.
But you're Plastic people
Oh, Baby, now
You're such a drag
There are people who are inauthentic and insincere, and they are a burden on those around them.
Me see a neon Moon above
I searched for years I found no love
I'm sure that love will never be
A product of Plasticity
A product of Plasticity
The singer has spent much time seeking romantic love but understands that genuine affection cannot be forced or influenced by external factors such as appearance or behavior.
PLASTIC, PLASTIC PEOPLE--PLA-HA-HA-HA
HA-PLASTIC--You are--your foot--your hair
--your nose--your arms--you suck--you love
--you are--your being is--you're plastic--blah
--blah--blah--blah plastic Peoples
The singer mocks those who are insincere and inauthentic, critiquing their physical features and behaviors as well as their lack of real substance.
-A prune is not a vegetable
--cabbage is a vegetable; makes it O.K.
--plastic people--plastic People
--you dream about...you think about...you eat
...you are...Ooo-Hoo-Hoo...
purple prancing--plastic People-
Pee-Pee-Pee-Pee-Pee-Peep!
The singer continues to deride those who are inauthentic and insincere, using a series of images and nonsensical statements to highlight their superficial and unsatisfying behavior and presence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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