The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I'm gonna tell you the way it is
And I'm not gonna be kind or easy
Your whole attitude stinks, I say
And the life you lead is completely empty
You paint your head
Your mind is dead
You don't even know what I just said
THAT'S YOU: AMERICAN WOMANHOOD!
You're phony on top
You're phony underneath
You lay in bed & grit your teeth
MADGE, I WANT YOUR BODY!
HARRY, GET BACK!
MADGE, IT'S NOT MERELY PHYSICAL!
HARRY, YOU'RE A BEAST!
Don't come in me, in me
Don't come in me, in me
Don't come in me, in me
Don't come in me, in me
MADGE, I... MADGE... I COULDN'T HELP IT...
I... DOGGONE IT!
And I'm not gonna be kind or easy
Your whole attitude stinks, I say
And the life you lead is completely empty
You paint your head
Your mind is dead
You don't even know what I just said
THAT'S YOU: AMERICAN WOMANHOOD!
You're phony on top
You're phony underneath
You lay in bed & grit your teeth
MADGE, I WANT YOUR BODY!
HARRY, GET BACK!
MADGE, IT'S NOT MERELY PHYSICAL!
HARRY, YOU'RE A BEAST!
Don't come in me, in me
Don't come in me, in me
Don't come in me, in me
Don't come in me, in me
MADGE, I... MADGE... I COULDN'T HELP IT...
I... DOGGONE IT!
Lyrics submitted by ThreeMilesDown
Harry, You're a Beast Lyrics as written by Frank Zappa
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
OK - not sure where the thoughts above are from. Broken arm?
Anyway - seems, as with most of WOIIFTM, a criticism of American culture - specifically certain women who are the "typical 1950's stay at home woman" and/or the pampered princess. The lyrics are pretty clear in their criticism. The second half seems like the issues of man vs woman not understanding each other - and obviously the sexual play-out that happens, and you can hear the woman upset at the end because he didn't pull out and the man's appology. Kind of sad. Dark humor.