Let's Make The Water Turn Blac
Zappa Mothers Lyrics
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I want everyone to listen and believe
It's about some little people from a long time ago
And all the things the neighbors didn't know
Early in the morning daddy dinky went to work
Selling lamps and chairs to San Bernadino squares
And I still remember mama with her apron and her pad
Feeding all the boys at Ed's cafe!
Whizzing and pasting and pooting through the day...
(Ronnie helping Kenny helping burn his poots away!)
And all the while on a shelf in the shed:
Kenny's little creatures on display!
Ronnie saves his numies on a window in his room
(a marvel to be seen: dysentery green)
While Kenny & his buddies had a game out in the back:
Let's make the water turn black
We see them after school in a world of their own
(to some it might seem creepy what they do...)
The neighbors on the right sat and watched them every night
(I bet you'd do the same if they was you)
Whizzing and pasting and pooting through the day...
(Ronnie helping Kenny helping burn his poots away!)
And all the while on a shelf in the shed:
Kenny's little creatures on display!
Ronnie's in the army now and Kenny's taking pills
Oh! how they yearn to see a bomber burn!
Color flashing, thunder crashing, dynamite machine!
(wait till the fire turns green...wait till the fire turns green)
Wait till the fire turns green!
This would be a little bit of vocal teen-age heaven, right here on earth!
Dodn-do-do-dodn-dodn-dodn-dada
"Let's Make The Water Turn Black" by Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention is a satirical song that tells the story of some mischievous teenagers from the '50s who experiment with drugs, obsessions about burning things down, and creating strange creatures with their hands. The song describes a small community with simple, narrow-minded neighbors who observe the unusual behavior of the teenagers, but are clueless about their activities.
The song begins with the singer telling the audience that the story he's about to tell is true. He reminisces about the little people from a long time ago and all the things the neighbors didn't know. The singer recalls the father going to work to sell lamps and chairs, and the mother cooking for the boys at Ed's Cafe. Meanwhile, the teenagers - Kenny, Ronnie, and their friends - are experimenting with various drugs, such as numies and dysentery green, and burning their farts as a way to pass the time.
The chorus is built around the phrase "Let's make the water turn black," which is a reference to the teenagers' desire to create strange creatures and dye them until the water turns black. The neighbors observe their activities and judge them as creepy. The second verse describes Kenny's obsession with military bombers and how he and Ronnie take pills to feel closer to the sensation of being in war. The song ends with a thundering dynamite machine, hinting at the destruction the teenagers desire.
Overall, "Let's Make The Water Turn Black" is a sarcastic commentary on the conservatism of its time and how the youth subverted its moral expectations. The song's lyrics are rich with metaphors and social commentary, which is why it has become a cult classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Now believe me when I tell you that my song is really true
I want my listeners to know that this song is based on real events.
I want everyone to listen and believe
I want everyone to pay attention and take this song seriously.
It's about some little people from a long time ago
This song is about some lesser-known individuals from the past.
And all the things the neighbors didn't know
I will reveal some previously unknown details about these people.
Early in the morning daddy dinky went to work
The father of these people went to work in the morning to provide for his family.
Selling lamps and chairs to San Bernadino squares
He worked in the furniture industry and sold products to middle-class customers.
And I still remember mama with her apron and her pad
I have vivid memories of their mother wearing an apron and writing things down.
Feeding all the boys at Ed's cafe!
Their mother cooked food for the boys at a local cafe.
Whizzing and pasting and pooting through the day...
These young people engaged in various activities during their day-to-day lives.
(Ronnie helping Kenny helping burn his poots away!)
One of the boys, Ronnie, helped another boy, Kenny, get rid of his gas.
And all the while on a shelf in the shed: Kenny's little creatures on display!
Kenny kept some of his creations on a shelf in the family's shed.
Ronnie saves his numies on a window in his room
Ronnie collected and displayed coins in his bedroom.
(a marvel to be seen: dysentery green)
The color of the coins he collected was described as 'dysentery green'.
While Kenny & his buddies had a game out in the back: Let's make the water turn black
Kenny and his friends would play a game where they tried to turn the water black.
We see them after school in a world of their own
These kids had their own unique interests and pastimes outside of school.
(to some it might seem creepy what they do...)
Their behavior may seem strange or unsettling to some people.
The neighbors on the right sat and watched them every night
Their neighbors were curious about what these kids were doing and would observe them every night.
(I bet you'd do the same if they was you)
If you were in their position, you would probably do the same thing and watch them too.
(Ronnie helping Kenny helping burn his poots away!)
Again, Ronnie was helping Kenny deal with his flatulence.
And all the while on a shelf in the shed: Kenny's little creatures on display!
Kenny's creative projects were still on display in the family's shed.
Ronnie's in the army now and Kenny's taking pills
Ronnie went on to join the military, while Kenny began taking medication.
Oh! how they yearn to see a bomber burn!
They are fascinated by the idea of seeing a bomber plane on fire.
Color flashing, thunder crashing, dynamite machine!
They imagine the explosion of a bomb to be full of excitement and drama.
(wait till the fire turns green...wait till the fire turns green)
They are eagerly anticipating the moment when the bomb will explode.
This would be a little bit of vocal teen-age heaven, right here on earth!
These boys find excitement and fulfillment in their own ways, even if it seems strange to others.
Dodn-do-do-dodn-dodn-dodn-dada
This is a nonsensical vocalization with no inherent meaning in the song's context.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind