Once there was this kid who
Got into an accident and couldn't come to school
But when he finally came back
His hair had turned from black into bright white
He said that it was from when
The cars had smashed him so hard

Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm

Once there was this girl who
Wouldn't go and change with the girls in the change room
And when they finally made her
They saw birthmarks all over her body
She couldn't quite explain it
They'd always just been there

Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm

But both girl and boy were glad
'Cause one kid had it worse than that

'Cause then there was this boy whose
Parents made him come directly home right after school
And when they went to their church
They shook and lurched all over the church floor
He couldn't quite explain it
They'd always just gone there

Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm


Lyrics submitted by Ice

Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Lyrics as written by Brad Roberts

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm song meanings
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  • +5
    General Comment

    I'm not sure I buy the abuse thing. The FAQ at crashtestdummies.com discusses an alternate verse which most certainly does not deal with abuse, but with disappointment (apparently there was a 3rd alternate verse, which has not been published). Brad also refers to the parents in the 3rd verse as "ecstatic christians". I doubt someone would refer to abusive parents using the word "ecstatic".

    To me, this song seems like a big joke on Brad Roberts' part. Verses one and two are the leadup, describing children with unusually bad luck, suffering embarassing situations. The punchline is that they're both glad that they're not the kid in the last verse, with his overbearing fundie parents.

    "They shook and lurched all over the church floor" I really always thought Brad was referring to nondenominational charismatic churches and their flocks' penchant for dancing (in the most bizarre fashions; "interpretive" doesn't begin to cover it) here. It supports the band's obvious disdain for organised religion, as well as the idea that a child trying to be accepted by his peers would be mortified to have his involvement in that behaviour made public, whether it's against his will or not.

    perthon April 16, 2004   Link

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