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)
Wowie Zowie
The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your love's a treat
Wowie Zowie
You can't be beat
You're so neat
I don't even care
If you shave your legs
Wowie Zowie, baby
You're so fine
Wowie Zowie, baby
Please be mine
Wowie Zowie
Up and down my spine
I don't even care
If you brush your teeth
I dream of you each mornin'
I dream of you each night
Just the other day I got so shook up
I dreamed of you in the afternoon
Baum didi, baum didi, baum didi,
Baum didi, baum didi, baum didi
I dream of you each mornin'
I dream of you each night
Just the other day I got so shook up
I had a flash in the afternoon
Wowie Zowie, baby
Love me do
Wowie Zowie
And I'll love you too
Wowie Zowie, baby
I'll be true
I don't even care
If your dad's the heat
Wowie Zowie
Wowie
Wowie Zowie
Wowie
Wowie Zowie
Wowie
Wowie Zowie
The Mothers of Invention's Wowie Zowie is a love song that expresses the singer's admiration and fascination with the person he is singing to. The chorus, "Wowie Zowie," is a playful exclamation of joy and amazement at how great the person is. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the singer's infatuation and excitement.
The singer seems to be so taken with the object of his desires that he is willing to overlook potentially trivial things, such as whether or not they shave their legs or brush their teeth. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in a constant state of dreaming about this person, even dreaming of them in the afternoon, which is emphasized through the repeated chorus.
The song's fun, playful, and upbeat nature makes it feel like a celebration of love and the unassuming nature of attraction. At its core, the song is about appreciating the small things that draw us to people, and how unexpected those things can be.
Line by Line Meaning
Wowie Zowie
Expressing excitement or amazement.
Your love's a treat
Your affection is wonderful.
You can't be beat
You are the best.
Wowie Zowie, baby
Expressing excitement or amazement directed at the subject.
You're so neat
You are very cool and impressive.
I don't even care
If you shave your legs
I accept and appreciate you just as you are, without demanding conformity to societal expectations.
You're so fine
You are so attractive and desirable.
Please be mine
I want you to be my partner.
Up and down my spine
Suggesting sexual arousal or intense emotional reaction to the subject.
I dream of you each mornin'
You occupy my thoughts and desires.
I dream of you each night
You are a frequent presence in my subconscious.
Just the other day I got so shook up
I dreamed of you in the afternoon
The subject is very important to me, occupying my thoughts even during the day.
Baum didi, baum didi, baum didi,
Baum didi, baum didi, baum didi
Nonsense syllables inserted for musical effect or to fill space in the song.
Wowie Zowie, baby
Love me do
Expressing desire for the subject's affection.
And I'll love you too
I will reciprocate your affection.
I'll be true
I will be faithful to you.
I don't even care
If your dad's the heat
I accept you and your family, even if they are associated with the law enforcement or a criminal organization.
Wowie Zowie
Wowie
Wowie Zowie
Wowie
Wowie Zowie
Wowie
Reiteration of the opening verses, suggesting continued excitement or obsession with the subject.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind