6 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A

Au Contraire Lyrics

David Bowie came to town
Flying overhead
"Don't you dig my chops?" he cried
This is what they said

Au contraire, Dave
Quite the opposite, in fact
As it happens, au contraire
Au contraire, mon frère

Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Knew not what to do
"This tie clashes with my hat," he cried
"Don't you think that's true?"

Au contraire, Delano
Hate to rain on your parade
I need to tell you au contraire
Au contraire, mon frère

Jodie Foster held two pair
Bach had three of a kind
Gandhi said, "With my full house,
I will blow your mind!"

Au contraire, Mahatma
Hate to contradict you, but
As it happens, au contraire
Au contraire, yes au contraire

And au contraire, you square
Wash that notion from your hair
If you're still there, I must declare
That au contraire, mon très
Bon frère

Right on!
Song Info
Submitted by
spacecow On Apr 09, 2004
6 Meanings

Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.

Add your thoughts...
Cover art for Au Contraire lyrics by They Might Be Giants

They hate bowie or something? They might be honoring him in the song or just poking fun, idk....

Cover art for Au Contraire lyrics by They Might Be Giants

It's just about how alot of people are terribly wrong about stuff without even realizing it. I mean, it's all a matter of opinion when it comes to right or wrong, but in these cases, more opinions said wrong.

                                                  heh
Cover art for Au Contraire lyrics by They Might Be Giants

I think there's a little deeper meaning than people are wrong about things without even realizing it. Read it over.

Cover art for Au Contraire lyrics by They Might Be Giants

I beleive this song is about the joy of holding the Trump Card, and proving people wrong.

Cover art for Au Contraire lyrics by They Might Be Giants

i think its the opposite of joe857... how annoying it is when what ever you say people point out that your wrong... maybe like critics or just general people

Cover art for Au Contraire lyrics by They Might Be Giants

I think it's about annoying people who act contrarian and superior just to score points off of everyone else. I knew a guy like that and this song always makes me think of him.

First the people in this song try to make themselves look better by acting like David Bowie isn't cool enough for them. Then they try to gaslight FDR into wearing embarrassing clothes. Finally they try to mock Gandhi into doubting his winning hand in a poker game. They do all this in a very snooty fashion while using dismissive nicknames.

So why those particular three men? Probably because all three were known for ignoring naysayers and following their instincts, so it makes the song satisfying because we know the contrarians are doomed to failure. David Bowie is still cooler than they are, Gandhi is going to win, and no one cares what FDR is wearing.

I have no idea what the significance of Jodie Foster and Bach is though-- probably just to show that Gandhi would hang out with more interesting people than the nameless contrarians. :-)

 
Questions and Answers

Ask specific questions and get answers to unlock more indepth meanings & facts.

Ask a question...