Willis had a tumultuous childhood, growing up in various foster homes. Despite his mental illness, he became creatively active in the early 1990s and sold marker drawings of the Chicago cityscape on the street. He also formed the hard rock band The Wesley Willis Fiasco and released several songs, such as "Jesus is the Answer" and "Casper the Homosexual Friendly Ghost." His music caught the attention of American Recordings, a major record label, and Willis was signed to the title in 1995. He went on to record two albums and produced dozens of others independently.
Willis became known for his trademark headbutting with fans, which he typically performed when approached by them. The large bruise in the center of his forehead resulted from this habit. He also made appearances on MTV and The Howard Stern Show and toured frequently.
Willis died in 2003 due to complications from chronic myelogenous leukemia, having recorded over 1,000 songs in his lifetime but leaving behind a total life savings of less than $300. However, his legacy continues, with many praising him as a punk respite from overproduced pop music and pretentious indie rock.
Cut The Mullet
Wesley Willis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It looks like a rat's nest
Do something about your mullet
Get out the hair clippers, jerk
Cut the mullet
Cut the mullet
Cut the mullet
Get the rat's nest off your head
Get that crazy-ass mullet off your skull
Take your ass to the barbershop
Tell the barber that you're sick of looking like an asshole
Cut the mullet
Cut the mullet
Cut the mullet
Cut the mullet
The mullet is the reason why people hate you
They are sick of looking at your nappy wheat sack
Nobody wants to look at you with that mullet on your head
Why don't you cut that mullet, you numbskull?
Cut the mullet
Cut the mullet
Cut the mullet
Cut the mullet
Rock over London, rock on Chicago
Insure One, it's the insurance superstore
Wesley Willis's song "Cut The Mullet" is a satirical commentary on the popular hairstyle, the mullet. The lyrics poke fun at the absurdity of the hairdo and implore individuals with the hairstyle to do something about it. In the first verse, Willis describes the hair as filthy and resembling a rat's nest, urging those with the hairstyle to take action and cut it off. The repetition of the phrase "cut the mullet" in the chorus emphasizes the necessity of getting rid of the hairstyle. Willis goes on to criticize the hairstyle, claiming that it is the reason why people hate the individual with the mullet. He asserts that nobody wants to look at someone with a mullet on their head and that it is essential to cut it off to avoid looking like an "asshole" and "numbskull."
The final line, "Rock over London, rock on Chicago, Insure One, it's the insurance superstore," is a non-sequitur and appears to be an advertisement for Insure One, an insurance company in Illinois. It is unclear why Willis included this line, but it adds to the humorous and satirical nature of the song.
Overall, "Cut The Mullet" is a lighthearted and humorous song that pokes fun at a popular hairstyle while urging individuals to consider changing their appearance.
Line by Line Meaning
Do something about your long filthy hair
It's about time you get rid of those disgusting locks
It looks like a rat's nest
Your hair is so tangled and messy that it resembles a rodent's home
Do something about your mullet
That outdated hairstyle needs to go NOW
Get out the hair clippers, jerk
Take the initiative and use some hair clippers to chop off that mullet, you imbecile
Cut the mullet
It's imperative that you sever that mullet
The mullet is the reason why people hate you
Your abominable hairstyle is the root cause of why people despise you
They are sick of looking at your nappy wheat sack
People are disgusted by the sight of your unkempt hair
Nobody wants to look at you with that mullet on your head
You're repelling others with that awful hairdo
Why don't you cut that mullet, you numbskull?
You're being a complete fool by keeping that mullet intact, so why not do the sensible thing and chop it off?
Rock over London, rock on Chicago
This line is not related to the song's meaning and is likely a non-sequitur added for artistic effect
Insure One, it's the insurance superstore
This line is not related to the song's meaning and is likely a commercial jingle inserted into the song
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: WESLEY WILLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dsads4369
Tell the barber that you're sick of looking like an asshole is one of the greatest lyrics I've ever heard.
@justinandsheba
Damn straight.
@HerrinSchadenfreude
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@jrichhaze
Yeah that line separates the mediocre from the true virtuoso-in willis
@GeneralTomFoolery1
It's such a good line.
@willisblumelive
Yessssirrrrrr, I am glad y'all remember too.
@atomjack
When I saw him in Berkeley in 2002, I approached him before the show and asked if I could record it. He mumbled under his breath, "get the fuck outta here", so I slowly backed away, saying "alright". Then he got all animated and said "Sure you can record it!" It wasn't until later I realized he was probably telling the demons to get the fuck outta here, not me.
@TourettesOrc
atomjack you’re lucky to be alive
@exergue1315
Tourettes Orc he wasn’t dangerous. Those of us who were lucky enough to meet him are blessed 😇
@golz9785
Exergue13 — hey it’s TourettesOrc here, I know I was just joking. I love Wes.