Fix what’s wrong, but don’t rewrite what the artist wrote. Stick to the official released version — album booklet, label site, verified lyric video, etc. If you’re guessing, pause and double-check.
Respect the structure
Songs have rhythm. Pages do too. Leave line breaks where they belong. Don’t smash things together or add extra empty space just for looks.
Punctuation counts (but vibe-editing doesn’t)
Correct typos? Yes. Re-punctuating a whole verse because it ‘looks better’? Probably not. Keep capitalization and punctuation close to the official source.
Don’t mix versions
If you’re editing the explicit version, keep it explicit. If it’s the clean version, keep it clean. No mashups.
Let the lyrics be lyrics
This isn’t the place for interpretations, memories, stories, or trivia — that’s what comments are for. Keep metadata, translations, and bracketed stage directions out unless they’re officially part of the song.
Edit lightly
If two lines are wrong… fix the two lines. No need to bulldoze the whole page. Think ‘surgical,’ not ‘remix.’
When in doubt, ask the crowd
Not sure what they’re singing in that fuzzy bridge? Drop a question in the comments and let the music nerds swarm. Someone always knows.
I read in an interview many years ago that when Mike Patton joined the group the album The Real Thing was recorded with no lyrics. He came in and wrote the lyrics and recorded them in a short amount of time. I have often wondered about this song. Was it just so perfect that lyrics were not needed? Or did he just not get to it due to deadlines or something like that? I go with it being perfect.
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
I wish I could find where I read it...
I read in an interview many years ago that when Mike Patton joined the group the album The Real Thing was recorded with no lyrics. He came in and wrote the lyrics and recorded them in a short amount of time. I have often wondered about this song. Was it just so perfect that lyrics were not needed? Or did he just not get to it due to deadlines or something like that? I go with it being perfect.
"Woodpecker from Mars" is an old looney tunes cartoon.
This is probably their most unique song musically, and it's damned amazing. It also works as a great intro to War Pigs.
I've heard that "Woodpecker from Mars" is a loose translation of some Native American thing.
I dunno. Killer song.
Probably my favourite FNM song. But, um, no real meaning, I guess.