2 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A

Ant Lyrics

There's an ant crawling up your back in the nighttime
There's an ant crawling up your back in the nighttime
But you think that's okay while you're sleeping

That ant crawled in your head in the nighttime
That ant crawled in your head in the nighttime
But you think that's okay while you're sleeping

Someday, that ant, he will grow up to be President
Someday, that ant, he will grow up to be President
But you think that's okay while you're sleeping

The President calls your name in the nighttime
The President calls your name in the nighttime
and that will spoil your dreams, while you're sleeping.

The men ransack your house in the nighttime
The men ransack your house in the nighttime
As the ant crawls up your back while you're sleeping
Song Info
Submitted by
fizzward On May 02, 2004
2 Meanings

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

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

This seems like a metaphor for the insidious way governments take Fascist control of a country with the citizens' consent.

See, the ant is the Fascist state. And slowly, it's gaining control of not only your body, but your mind. But you don't notice, because you're "asleep", you're not paying attention to the inner workings of your government, you're apathetic to it, one little ant can't create chaos, right? Except that while you were busy "sleeping" the ant has become the President. It calls the shots, and now it's calling your name.

Of course, a Fascist state follows, including men ransacking your house for whatever reason (Facist governments don't need a reason to terrorize their citizens; they're in complete control).

This could apply to the United States, actually. Except we're right between the second to last verse and the last verse. Just wait, Martial Law will follow soon enough.

Cover art for Ant lyrics by They Might Be Giants

As Mr. Bacon would say...Yup!

 
Questions and Answers

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

Ask a question...