Cockroach
The Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a cockroach
The things you said
Made me lose my head
Like a waterfall
You've got a mouth
Like a DC ten
But I love you
You've got me in your arms
And your special charms
My yeah ah yeah
You got my head in circles
Uh, loved ya
But I don't want nobody but you
You fucking laugh at my inolations
You made a fuss 'bout my eating purse
By my mothers's side
You feel away like a sherman tank
But I love you
You're gonna take me there
I don't really care
My yah ah yah
You got my head in circles
Uh, loved ya
I don't want nobody but you
Turn you on to me to bring your Mama
The way she freaks gives me the creeps
She's a mainline ma'am
You've got to know
what you're doin' to your Daddy
'Cos I love you
You've got me in your arms
Ooh your precious charms
Ah yeah ah yeah
You got my head in circles
Uh, loved ya
I don't want nobody but you
The Sweet's song Cockroach is an interesting commentary on a complicated and perhaps toxic relationship. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the lyrics that follow, with the singer comparing the person they are with to a cockroach crawling into their bed. This not only sets up a metaphor for the person being unwelcome and uninvited, but also suggests that they are perhaps difficult to get rid of.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the relationship is fueled by intense passion and attraction. The person being described is said to have a mouth like a DC ten, which is a reference to a large aircraft known for its powerful engines. This suggests that the person is able to speak with great confidence and persuasion, which in turn leads the singer to lose their head "like a waterfall". Despite the intensity of the attraction, the singer also acknowledges that the person has caused them pain or discomfort in the past, as evidenced by lines like "You made a fuss 'bout my eating purse". This suggests that the relationship may be fraught with conflict and tension, even if the passion remains.
Ultimately, the song seems to be about the difficulty of extricating oneself from a complicated relationship. The singer is torn between loving and hating the person they are with, and despite the pain they have caused, they still find themselves unable to let go. The chorus of the song, with its repetition of "I don't want nobody but you", reinforces this sense of conflict, as the singer seems to be simultaneously drawn to and repelled by their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
You crawled into my bed
You entered my life without permission
Like a cockroach
You are unwelcome and disgusting
The things you said
You spoke in a way that affected my emotions
Made me lose my head
You caused me to become irrational
Like a waterfall
Your words flowed easily and ceaselessly
You've got a mouth
You talk a lot
Like a DC ten
You speak with a lot of confidence and authority
But I love you
Despite all this, I still have feelings for you
You've got me in your arms
You have control over me
And your special charms
Your unique qualities and appeal
My yeah ah yeah
An exclamation of excitement or affirmation
You got my head in circles
You confuse and disorient me
Uh, loved ya
An expression of affection or endearment
But I don't want nobody but you
Despite my confusion, my feelings for you are exclusive
You fucking laugh at my inolations
You mock my vulnerabilities or weaknesses
You made a fuss 'bout my eating purse
You criticized me or created drama over something trivial
By my mothers's side
In the presence of my family
You feel away like a sherman tank
You are emotionally distant or insensitive
But I love you
Despite all this, I still have feelings for you
You're gonna take me there
You promise to bring me to a better place emotionally or physically
I don't really care
I am willing to follow you blindly
Turn you on to me to bring your Mama
I want to impress your mother by becoming closer to you
The way she freaks gives me the creeps
Your mother's behavior makes me feel uncomfortable or scared
She's a mainline ma'am
Your mother is the dominant figure in your family
You've got to know what you're doin' to your Daddy
Your actions or choices are affecting your relationship with your father
'Cos I love you
Despite all this, I still have feelings for you
Ooh your precious charms
Your unique qualities and appeal
Ah yeah ah yeah
An exclamation of excitement or affirmation
You got my head in circles
You confuse and disorient me
Uh, loved ya
An expression of affection or endearment
I don't want nobody but you
Despite my confusion, my feelings for you are exclusive
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW SCOTT, BRIAN CONNOLLY, MICHAEL TUCKER, STEPHEN PRIEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
You crawled into my bed
Like a cockroach
The things you said
Made me lose my head
Like a waterfall
You've got a mouth
Like a DC ten
But I love you
You've got me in your arms
And your special charms
My yeah ah yeah
You got my head in circles
Uh, loved ya
But I don't want nobody but you
You fucking laugh at my inolations
You made a fuss 'bout my eating purse
By my mothers's side
You feel away like a sherman tank
But I love you
You're gonna take me there
I don't really care
My yah ah yah
You got my head in circles
Uh, loved ya
I don't want nobody but you
Turn you on to me to bring your Mama
The way she freaks gives me the creeps
She's a mainline ma'am
You've got to know
what you're doin' to your Daddy
'Cos I love you
You've got me in your arms
Ooh your precious charms
Ah yeah ah yeah
You got my head in circles
Uh, loved ya
I don't want nobody but you
@smokinjz
You crawled into my bed
Like a cockroach
The things you said
Made me lose my head
Like a waterfall
You've got a mouth
Like a DC ten
But I love you
You've got me in your arms
And your special charms
My yeah ah yeah
You got my head in circles
Uh, loved ya
But I don't want nobody but you
You fucking laugh at my inolations
You made a fuss 'bout my eating purse
By my mothers's side
You feel away like a sherman tank
But I love you
You're gonna take me there
I don't really care
My yah ah yah
You got my head in circles
Uh, loved ya
I don't want nobody but you
Turn you on to me to bring your Mama
The way she freaks gives me the creeps
She's a mainline ma'am
You've got to know
what you're doin' to your Daddy
'Cos I love you
You've got me in your arms
Ooh your precious charms
Ah yeah ah yeah
You got my head in circles
Uh, loved ya
I don't want nobody but you
@babaoriley1810
They say it was only Zeppelin, Sabbath, and DP who pioneered Heavy Metal but there's a fourth band and their name is... Mick Tucker Drum Roll The Sweet!
@kentlewis987
...also Grand Funk Railroad
@larry-lee4769
Ive got absolutly everything from the bands You´ve Mentioned,but sorry there are at least another dozen bands i could mention,in this catagorie,as a Lifelong Self Succesfull Ex- International Rockband Frontman,with many Vinyls+C.d´s behind me, ill Mention a Band which -- while stil living at home in the U.k back then actually ----- where classed 4 Years in a row as the best Metal band in the U.k, this was the U.k music Industry Critics as als New Musical Express/Kerang amongst others as also the Major Radio Stns Opinions, From GERMANY. THE SCORPIONS with Tracks such as Holiday/The Zoo/Lady Starlight,Animal Magnetism/Still Loving You/Rock You Like a Hurricane/Tainted Love (Rock Version) amongst many Other Hits.
@jeffreycafferelli6973
Yes. But who pioneered Glam Metal? Surely not Kiss, Boston, Cheap Trick or Van Halen.
@sweetpurple8812
@@kentlewis987 and uriah heep
@williamwalker146
Like what years are we talking? Surely we could add another 20 bands to that list.
@markjohnson1020
Micks drums sound HUGE on this track!
@lespaul667
That’s Musicland Munich! Mack and Company. They had the hugest drum sound back then!
@misstury606
This is why we call Tucker THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM!
@jerryattwooll4864
One of my favourite Sweet songs, a heavy rock gem.