I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Did you think that I would laugh
When you said I was small?
Did you think that that would pass
As if nothing at all?
You say a lot of funny things, my little bunny
And I almost always laugh
But that's not really funny
You play the little bells and tell a good story
You bake delicious pie and that's enough for me
But I am big I am your man
And you're my little honey
And I like what you have to say
But that's not really funny
You must not continue to emasculate me
The neighbor children through the window
Clearly see
The little boy will wipe his nose because it's runny
Then point at me and laugh
But that's not really funny
When you said I was small?
Did you think that that would pass
As if nothing at all?
You say a lot of funny things, my little bunny
And I almost always laugh
But that's not really funny
You play the little bells and tell a good story
You bake delicious pie and that's enough for me
But I am big I am your man
And you're my little honey
And I like what you have to say
But that's not really funny
You must not continue to emasculate me
The neighbor children through the window
Clearly see
The little boy will wipe his nose because it's runny
Then point at me and laugh
But that's not really funny
Lyrics submitted by one hit wonder
That's Not Really Funny Lyrics as written by Mark O. Everett John Alexander William Parish
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Seriously? Nobody's cracked this one yet? Alright, awesome. First I have to make a correction to the lyrics up there, and then the meaning might be more obvious:
"You must not continue to EMASCULATE me The neighbor children through the window Clearly see"
Now let's take a look at some of these together...
"You must not continue to EMASCULATE me" "Did you think that I would laugh when you said I was SMALL" "I am BIG, I am your man, and you're my little honey"
Methinks somebody's feeling a bit inadequate?
I'd say "I am big, I am your man..." This song's great, how come all you wannabe critics never said anything about it?
lol... i like this song a lot. I think we all do this, perhaps. When we like someone, it's easy to laugh along with them. But one time, i dated this guy, and i realized all the things i was laughing at were taunts at other people... they really weren't funny. Is that what E is trying to say?
i think he's saying that basically bullying isn't funny. he had a shit time of things when he was a kid and had all the other kids laughing at him, when it wasn't really funny at all. he was just different. that's what i reckon this is about.
Excellent. This is one of my favorite songs from the Eels-- mostly because of the music. The music-box (is it a keyboard effect or is it real?) is a great line...
I don't know that it's all about bullying. If so, what's the deal with this line: "You play the little bells and tell a good story You bake delicious pie and that's enough for me."
Hm. Beats me. (What's with the name "one hit wonder?" Is that supposed to be NSYNC or what?)
bravo, cousin.
attractivecousin is of course right, the singer's partner is making fun of him, and of course it's 'not really funny' if you're being made fun of. But this isn't a song about the poor singer being pciked on: he takes his revenge by talking to/about his partner in a patronising and belittling manner, reducing him to the same level. So overall it's a song about pettiness and lack of respect for each other - and that's not really funny.
I agree with attractive cousin but Im not sure about Acolyte saying that he is taking his revenge. I think that he is saying his partner has made fun of him being small in public and now other people are laughing at him. The last line says it all
"The little boy will wipe his nose bacause it's runny Then point at me and laugh, but that's not really funny "
A boy with a runny nose is quite specific because you would find that amusing but if that boy turned, pointed and laughed at you, you would be freaked out as to what he was laughing at. Pure and simple bruised ego.
I just now got the humor of E jumping an octave to sing the line "You must not continue to emasculate me."
This track was used on a british animation seires called Monkey dust. Type it into you tube and listen to the intro. Monkey dust has ended now but it was a satirical take on britains seedy underbelly. To me this is about insults and lies, when you think you know a freind but then they just backstabb you.