("One, two, one two three four . . .")

("You can turn it up even a little bit more . . .")

It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me, oh, oh, oh, I

It overtakes me, it master-slaves me
It overtakes me, oh . . .

It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me, oh, oh, oh, I

It overtakes me, it wakes and bakes me
It overtakes me, oh . . .

You know that it isn't real

You know that it isn't real
("You'll disappear in a black hole")
You know that it isn't real
("Floating out of control . . . oh, wow")

It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me, oh, oh, oh, I

("Yeah!")

It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me, oh, oh, oh, I

It overtakes me, it master-slaves me
It overtakes me, oh

You know that it isn't real
You know that it isn't real

It overtakes me, it overtakes me
It overtakes me, oh, oh, oh, I

It overtakes me, it wakes and bakes me
It overtakes me, oh

It overtakes me, it overtakes me . . .

And I'm there
Looking up at the sky
And I'm scared
Thinking about the way that I
I don't understand
Anything at all
And how it overtakes me
And I'm just so small

Do I stand a chance?


Lyrics submitted by christsizeshoes

It Overtakes Me/The Stars Are So Big, I Am So Small . . . Do I Stand a Chance? song meanings
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19 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    this song is magnificent on mushrooms

    Sunset Rubdownon July 14, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I might be looking into this a bit too much, but i think this song is about ego death. for those of you who don't know what ego death is, it's an altered state of mind commonly achieved under the influence of acid or mushrooms. while in the "ego death state of mind" you're ego, who you are, literally dies, and you feel overtaken by this primordial force and every moment, with some people for the rest of their lives, feels extremely surreal. its the ultimate realization that the ego is an illusion. its very hard to explain, but everything seems fake. this would explain the lyrics "it overtakes me" followed by "you know that it isn't real." the end of the song also goes with the whole ego death thing. after one goes through ego death their perception of reality and the universe may alter dramatically. looking up at the sky with this new perspective and really looking can be the scariest thing ever. its hard to make sense of anything post ego death. thats just my theory. ive gone through a lot of flaming lips lyrics and have found many many songs that are potentially about ego death. it's a pretty common theme for them.

    montyandtimmonon August 23, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I can't belive no one is commenting on these new lips songs. /Do I Stand a Chance is so beautiful

    loaferon April 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I had "It overtakes me" in my head today and it just wouldn't go away, grrrrr. It was just that one part, I hate that. However, I agree loafer, do I stand a chance is quite pretty.

    amc175on April 09, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    will you marry me amc???

    loaferon April 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yes, yes, yes!!!!!!!!!

    amc175on April 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is spectacular. You guys are right. Why isn't anyone posting.? Am I nuts if I say that this song is about being taken-over by some other force? I don't know about you guys, but thats what happens to me when I wake and Bake!

    Jerobaon April 12, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Wake and bake's kick ass, but i think the meaning of this track goes a little further to talk about the weight of the heavenly bodies above compared to each individuals minute exsistence here on earth....or something!

    loaferon April 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it's about fears of mortaily when you stare up at the sky. The stars are millions of miles wide, and will live for millions of years longer. Wheras we're almost infinitissimally smaller, little ants to them. We come and go in milliseconds. I think its about how no matter what people do they'll never stand a chance compared to the stars, that will always be better in every way.

    Appers66on June 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    it overtakes me is a really hard tune to shake, maybe herion hard to shake.

    mappableon July 16, 2006   Link

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