I Wanna Be Your Lover
Yo La Tengo Lyrics

Well, the rainman comes with his magic wand
The singer is using metaphor to describe a powerful figure, likely corrupt, who has the ability to manipulate outcomes.

And the judge says, "Mona can't have no bond"
A decision has been made that prevents Mona from achieving what she desires. This may be a legal or societal constraint.

And the walls collide, Mona cries
Mona is emotionally affected by the situation she's in, which seems to be chaotic and unpredictable.

And the rainman leaves in the wolfman's disguise
The powerful figure departs with an aura of mystery and danger, possibly leaving others to clean up their decisions and actions.

I wanna be your lover, baby, I don't wanna be your man
The artist is expressing a desire for a romantic connection that is unhinged from traditional gender roles and expectations.

Well, the undertaker in his midnight suit
Another powerful figure is introduced, this one associated with death and mortality. The singer's tone may indicate a fascination or even mockery of the figure.

Turns to the mad man, "Ain't you cute"
The undertaker engages in a strange interaction with another person, perhaps toying with their sense of reality or authority.

Well, the mad man he jumps up on the shelf
The strange man reacts unpredictably to the undertaker's comment, possibly indicating a lack of respect or sanity.

And he says, "You ain't so bad yourself"
The strange man turns the undertaker's words back on himself, possibly trying to gain power or simply express a nonsensical sentiment.

Well, jumpin' Judy can't get no higher
Another character is introduced, possibly one who is struggling or facing some kind of obstacle or addiction.

She got bullets in her eyes and then they fire
The singer uses violent imagery in reference to Judy's experiences, possibly indicating a sense of danger or fear associated with her struggles.

Rasputin, he's so dignified
A historical figure associated with mystique and power is referenced, possibly to highlight a sense of unpredictability or charisma.

He touched the back of her head and he died
The lyrics take a surreal turn as Rasputin's touch leads to his immediate death. This may represent a loss of power or a sense of unpredictability in relationships.

Well, Phaedra with her looking glass
A character associated with self-reflection is introduced, possibly to evoke a sense of introspection or confusion.

Which she lays upon the grass
Phaedra places her mirror on the ground, indicating a break from self-reflection or perhaps a sense of surrender.

She gets all messed up, she faints
Phaedra's reaction to her own reflection is intense, possibly signifying a sense of conflict or self-doubt.

That's 'cause she's so obvious and you ain't
The artist makes a distinction between Phaedra's transparent sense of self and their own opaque identity. This may represent a desire to be someone else or to understand themselves better.

I wanna be your lover, baby, I don't wanna be your man
The final lyric returns to the singer's desire for a romantic connection that is unburdened by societal expectations or gender norms.

I wanna be your lover, baby
The repeated refrain reinforces the singer's desire for a deeper connection with the person they address.

I don't wanna be hers, I wanna be yours
The artist makes a distinction between the person they desire and other potential romantic partners, signaling a specific affection for the one they address.

I wanna be yours
The final line again reiterates the artist's desire to enter into a committed romantic relationship with the person they address, unburdened by traditional expectations or roles.