Squeeze Box
The Who Lyrics
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She wears on her chest
And when daddy comes home
He never gets no rest
'Cause she's playing all night
And the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box
Daddy never sleeps at night
Well the kids don't eat
And the dog can't sleep
There's no escape from the music
In the whole damn street
'Cause she's playing all night
And the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box
Daddy never sleeps at night
She goes in and out and in
And out and in and out and in and out
She's playing all night
And the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box
Daddy never sleeps at night
She goes, squeeze me, come on and squeeze me
Come on and tease me like you do
I'm so in love with you
Mama's got a squeeze box
Daddy never sleeps at night
She goes in and out and in and out
And in and out and in and out
'Cause she's playing all night
And the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box
Daddy never sleeps at night
The lyrics to The Who's "Squeeze Box" describe the chaos caused by Mama's squeeze box. The song starts with the introduction of Mama's musical instrument, which she wears on her chest. Daddy never gets any rest when he comes home because Mama plays the squeeze box all night long, and the music is so good that Daddy can't resist staying up to listen. As a result, Daddy can't sleep at night. Mama's playing causes everyone in the household, including the kids and the dog, to be disrupted as no one in the street can escape the music either.
The lyrics then switch to Mama's teasing and squeezing, which has Daddy so in love that he can't resist her. Mama's in and out movements and music keeps going all night, leaving Daddy sleepless. The song ends with the repetition of Mama playing her squeeze box all night relentlessly, and it's evident that Daddy enjoys it despite the chaos it causes.
The song has a catchy tune that contrasts with the subject matter. The song's lyrics challenge gender roles, as Mama is the one playing a musical instrument and causing chaos, while Daddy is the one who is enabling the situation, thus highlighting an alternative power dynamic. The song highlights the power of music and how it can be cathartic, addictive and even disruptive.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama's got a squeeze box
The mother has an accordion
She wears on her chest
She keeps it with her most of the time
And when daddy comes home
And when the father returns home from work
He never gets no rest
He can't seem to find peace and quiet
'Cause she's playing all night
Because she's playing music all the time
And the music's all right
And the music is okay/satisfactory
Mama's got a squeeze box
The mother possesses an accordion
Daddy never sleeps at night
The father is unable to sleep at night
Well the kids don't eat
The children aren't eating their meals
And the dog can't sleep
And the dog is unable to sleep too
There's no escape from the music
There's no avoiding the loud music
In the whole damn street
That can be heard throughout the whole street
'Cause she's playing all night
Because she's playing music all the time
And the music's all right
And the music is okay/satisfactory
Mama's got a squeeze box
The mother possesses an accordion
Daddy never sleeps at night
The father is unable to sleep at night
She goes in and out and in
She's moving the bellows in and out
And out and in and out and in and out
Repeatedly
She's playing all night
She's playing music all the time
And the music's all right
And the music is okay/satisfactory
Mama's got a squeeze box
The mother possesses an accordion
Daddy never sleeps at night
The father is unable to sleep at night
She goes, squeeze me, come on and squeeze me
She says 'squeeze me' while playing the accordion
Come on and tease me like you do
Teasing the father with the music
I'm so in love with you
Showing affection towards the father
Mama's got a squeeze box
The mother possesses an accordion
Daddy never sleeps at night
The father is unable to sleep at night
She goes in and out and in and out
She's moving the bellows in and out
And in and out and in and out
Repeatedly
'Cause she's playing all night
Because she's playing music all the time
And the music's all right
And the music is okay/satisfactory
Mama's got a squeeze box
The mother possesses an accordion
Daddy never sleeps at night
The father is unable to sleep at night
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: PETE TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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