In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Trying to lift her, pull her
[Verse 1: Slug]
Six, Six, Six in the mornin and I'm takin a nap
In the back of the car, waitin for the stars to snap
The stars on my cap remind me of the time
We went to Fargo, with a car full of anxiety
An angel's breast, and a tank top
She started at my heart, she's trying to make it stop
And if I haven't learned nothin then I've learned a lot
Mama had a baby and his head popped off
Give it up turn it loose, for the sake of life
If I knew now what I knew then i'd make her my wife
I been chasin these mics for too long
Debating with God bout who's right and who's wrong
Got a new song to sing, a little happier, hurtin
That I didn't learn the words until after
The fact of the matter is a matter of fact, I doubt that
I'll ever even try, to work it out to having her back
Use to skip classes, now I skip breakfast
Never skip practice and I need to flip the mattress
To help me forget the kiss, the lips, the soft
Mama had a baby and his head popped off
[Chorus: repeat 2X]
Mama had a baby and his head popped off
We did all that we could to try and re-attach it
I couldn't do it so I picked it up and threw it
Off the building, just to see if all the children
Were quick enough to catch it
[Verse 2: Slug]
So I'll tear down these walls, let the chips fall
Let's all go outside and play a game of kick ball
Laugh a little, and live a lot
She squeals and giggles when I hit that spot
If you give me a minute and I can finish my beer
And move a tad bit closer to the limits of here
And when it gets clear, and the sun comes back
We can drive too fast, we can fly off the tracks
Tuck in your shirt, hike up your skirt
Welcome to the jungle where the tigers give birth
I only took my time because she looked so fine
And it makes me crazy trying to pay em no mind
You should save your spine and stay on the struggle
Shoot the trouble and keep the temper subtle
My rent just doubled, because they took my roommate
And I'm keepin these movies cause they all past the due date
Close, cover, before striking
Lick a missile at the bird and try to cripple it's right wing
and I end every sentance with a . .
Mama had a baby and his head popped off
[Chorus]
[Verse 3: Slug]
Say out loud, we must network
Should have been, more specific
Now have this, daily pressure
Some of them, just don't get it
Leave me at, the beginning
Start over and do it well
Shut my trap, stop complaining
Stay sober and step on shells
My oh my, yours oh yours (oh yours, oh yours)
And when it snows it pours
And when I'm running out of fire I just open the doors
And go sit on the porch and watch the neighborhood wars
But I've got the sun, and I've got my son
And I've got my will to run until I'm dead and done
And this is for the love we found and the love we lost
Mama had a baby and his head popped off
[Chorus]
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very interesting song...
i dont know what this will mean to most. but the chorus in this song tends to tug at the heart strings of most midwestern cold war kids as it is a game we played as kids at lunch. you simply take a dandelion and place it between thumb and for finger and say the name of the song while popping the top off in a thumbs up motion. word. oh and ive asked all over this countryand for some reason it seems that it is a strictly midwest thing so let me know if this isnt the case. word word.
haha now that you mention it, i do remember.. and i'm from virginia.
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Just a potential shot here. So mama had a baby and his head popped off looks like was a phrase in the 70's that kids used in recess to play a game where they popped the head of dandelions. So my thoughts are that he is reminiscing here about a woman that loved him and he wasnt sure about. That drove him crazy and made his head want to pop. Slug might not have been sure to be honest with himself and leave her because he wasnt head over heals, but he also realized he was with a woman who truly loved him. So he had stress that popped his head off. But now knowing, in is mature ages, that it is hard enough to come by an honest woman, he wishes he would have just stayed with her which causes him just as much stress and makes him mad. So he takes it out by having sex with any pretty lady and hides his anger that he didnt stay with that one nice girl. Might be wrong, but thats the best i could come up with. Slugs songs drive me crazy but i love them