What's the Buzz / Strange Thing Mystifying
Yvonne Elliman Lyrics


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What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening

Why should you want to know?
Don't you mind about the future
Don't you try to think ahead
Save tomorrow for tomorrow
Think about today instead

What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening (I could give you facts and figures)
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening (When do we ride into Jerusalem?)
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
Even tell you where I'm going (When do we ride into Jerusalem?)

When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?
When do we ride into Jerusalem?

Why should you want to know?
Why are you obsessed with fighting
Times and fates you can't defy?
If you knew the path we're riding
You'd understand it less then I

What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
Let me try to cool down your face a bit
Let me try to cool down your face a bit
Let me try to cool down your face a bit
Let me try to cool down your face a bit
Let me try to cool down your face
Let me try to cool down your face
Let me try to cool down your face
Let me try to cool down your face

Mary uh that is good
While you prattled through your supper
Where and when and who and how
She alone has tried to give me
What I need right here and now

What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening

It seems to me a strange thing, mystifying
That a man like you can waste his time
On women of her kind
Yes, I can understand that she amuses
But to let her stroke you, kiss your hair
Is hardly in your line
It's not that I object to her profession
But she doesn't fit in well with what you teach and say
It doesn't help us if you're inconsistent
They only need a small excuse to put us all away

Who are you to criticize her?
Who are you to despise her?
Leave her, leave her, let her be now
Leave her, leave her, she's with me now
If your slate is clean, then you can throw stones
If your slate is not, then leave her alone
I'm amazed that a man like you
Can be so shallow, thick and slow
There is not a man among you
Who knows or cares if I come or go

No you're wrong! You're very wrong
No you're wrong! You're very wrong
No you're wrong! You're very wrong
No you're wrong! You're very wrong




How can you say that, how can you say that, how can you say that, how can you say that
Not one, not one of you!

Overall Meaning

The song "What's the Buzz / Strange Thing Mystifying" from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, as performed by Yvonne Elliman, offers an intriguing conversation between Judas Iscariot and Jesus of Nazareth, where Judas is questioning Jesus about the rumors surrounding him and his teachings. The repeated refrain of "What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening" serves as a metaphor for the mounting tension between religious differences, social expectations, and the brewing political unrest that would eventually lead to Christ's crucifixion. While Judas is concerned about the future and the political implications of Jesus' actions, Jesus insists on living in the present and focusing on the now.


The lyrics also touch on the theme of hypocrisy, as Judas criticizes Mary Magdalene's profession and the inconsistency between what Jesus preaches and what he practices. However, Jesus defends Mary Magdalene, stating that those without sin may cast the first stone. This leads to a disagreement between Judas and Jesus, highlighting the ideological and moral rift between the two.


Overall, the song delves into the complex issues of faith, morality, and politics during a tumultuous time in history. It offers a nuanced portrayal of the different perspectives and motivations of the characters involved, highlighting the difficulty in navigating the tensions between personal beliefs and social expectations.


Line by Line Meaning

What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
Asking for information on what is currently going on


Why should you want to know?
Questioning why the person is so curious


Don't you mind about the future
Discouraging the person from worrying about the future


Don't you try to think ahead
Discouraging the person from planning for the future


Save tomorrow for tomorrow
Encouraging the person to focus on today and not worry about tomorrow


Think about today instead
Encouraging the person to focus on the present


When do we ride into Jerusalem?
Asking about a specific event in the future


Why are you obsessed with fighting
Asking why the person is so fixated on conflict


Times and fates you can't defy?
Reminding the person that some things are out of their control


If you knew the path we're riding
Implying that the person wouldn't understand the situation even if they had more information


Let me try to cool down your face a bit
Offering to calm the person down


Mary uh that is good
Commenting on Mary's positive influence or actions


While you prattled through your supper
Critiquing someone else's behavior or actions


Where and when and who and how
Listing questions that the person was asking or talking about


She alone has tried to give me
Attributing a certain positive aspect to Mary


What's the buzz? Tell me what's happening
Repeating the initial question about what is currently happening


It seems to me a strange thing, mystifying
Expressing confusion or disbelief about a situation


That a man like you can waste his time
Judging the person's actions or time management skills


On women of her kind
Referring to a specific group of women and implying that they are not worth the person's time


Yes, I can understand that she amuses
Admitting that Mary can be entertaining or funny


But to let her stroke you, kiss your hair
Feeling uncomfortable or shocked that Mary is physically affectionate with the person


Is hardly in your line
Implying that this behavior is not typical or expected from the person


It's not that I object to her profession
Explaining that the issue is not with Mary's job or career


But she doesn't fit in well with what you teach and say
Pointing out that Mary's behavior goes against the person's teachings or beliefs


It doesn't help us if you're inconsistent
Arguing that the person's actions should align with their teachings


They only need a small excuse to put us all away
Suggesting that society is quick to judge or condemn certain behaviors


Who are you to criticize her?
Challenging the person's right to judge Mary


Who are you to despise her?
Challenging the person's right to dislike Mary


Leave her, leave her, let her be now
Urging the person to leave Mary alone


She's with me now
Asserting Mary's loyalty or partnership


If your slate is clean, then you can throw stones
Saying that only those without fault should pass judgment onto others


If your slate is not, then leave her alone
Saying that those with faults should not judge others


I'm amazed that a man like you
Expressing shock or surprise at a certain trait or behavior of the person


Can be so shallow, thick and slow
Insulting the person's intelligence or personality


There is not a man among you
Stating that all of the people present are in the same situation


Who knows or cares if I come or go
Feeling unimportant or ignored by the rest of the group


No you're wrong! You're very wrong
Disagreeing with someone's statement or opinion with emphasis


How can you say that, how can you say that, how can you say that, how can you say that
Repeating a phrase to express disbelief or confusion


Not one, not one of you!
Asserting that everyone present is wrong or ignorant about the situation




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@dudedude64

Maybe Jesus wouldn’t need to be cooled down so much if he didn’t sit directly in the sun beam

@SplitHairz

lol

@Mira_Dunia

Same with Judas. 😆

@mounts655

Think they were showing that he was “the light”

@Dani-ICU-RN

Lol.they're in the middle of Isreal, 1973... yet Mary never sfitzes🥵🌡🤭..

@aclark903

@@lisa.user-xm7kz2tb6x No wife. Only in His dream in #TheLastTempation..

2 More Replies...

@ninabernel5383

45 years later and I still find Carl Anderson completely mesmerizing.

@IlaughedIcried

Him and Simon Zealotes too -- that dude is the most energetically angular person I've ever seen!

@christophercasey5368

Carl Anderson has the pipes. Him and Ted Neely can go toe to toe.

@hollymcmahon2621

I’ve been obsessed with the both of them since I was 9 years old when the movie came out

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