Your mission, should you choose to accept it:
Alright, well, I've realized that we can't have a back-deck concert and have everyone join in a group chorus of Cobra if we don't know the freakin' words!
Thus, I am designating it (the hubris, i know!) the mission of all interested to help finally decipher the lyrics of this peskily enigmatic yet amazing song. I have broken ground on this task below but, before you look, here's how I recommend we proceed.
Everyone, FIRST listen to the song on your own and compile the lyrics (whole or partial, as you like) as you hear them. THEN AND ONLY THEN look at the lyrics posted online by your fellow sleuths. That way there won't be any contamination or pre-listening bias; i.e., you will hear the lyrics as you hear them. Try to be as accurate as possible to the actual song. If necessary, replay a line over and over until you think you get it right!
I know this task is not for everyone, but I think it will be a valuable and necessary enterprise, the completion of which will show our dedication to the music of My Morning Jacket!
Happy listening! 8)
Addendum: It is REQUISITE that you imbibe spirits while I attempting this most important of tasks! ;D
Lo mother Fuckin L. I think this is a great idea. I'm sure Jim would get a kick out of this as well. Hold for my interpretation.
Wow, this is harder than I thought. And not because of the "spirits"!
I'm in. It's late. Headphones on. My friend just left and I've had a drink or two. It's Sunday night here we goooo:
Movement I
nice intro with drum beat
fun guitar riff, kind of country-ish
[mmm bourbon]
good little stop bit
Cobra comes up next to me
Anywhere he goes, he silently
How do you take speakin' so much
How do you live without a lover's touch
Do love, he says, it's easy
I walked on funk, like one two three
I got de moves, they're clear to me
You need to listen cuz I guarantee your fortune mmm
Now I know I've been movin' too much
I'm gonna live for my honey's touch mmmm
How do you take, mm, speaking so much
(oooooh)
How do you live without a lover's touch, mmm?
(oooooooh)
(aaahhhhh)
(aaaaahhhhhh)
(aaaaaahhhhhhh)
stoppy bit
Covered in choco, head to toe
Sticky sticky chocos, I want you to know
How long 'til I get these arms?
They're so convenient, but at such a cost
Can I go out to be
Sticky sticky woman come and rush to me
I wanna know, I want to see
That's right for me mmmm
Oh how long 'til I get these arms (oh ohhhhh)
They're so convenient, but at such a cost ooooh
(aaaaaahhhhhuuuuhhhhhhhhhh)
(aaaahhhhhhuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh)
(aaaaaaaahhhhhhuuuuuuhhhhhhh)
(aaaaahhhhhhuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhh)
(aaaaahhhhhhuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhh ooh)
(aaaaahhhhhhuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhh)
(aaaaahhhhhhuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhh)
peter framptony type guitar styles, sounding like muuops and bweps
Movement II
lots of guitar and drums, kind of Led Zeppelin-y guitar solo bits, fun chunky bass
[oh lord we're not even halfway through]
Movement III (The Pink Floyd/Penguin Cafe Orchestra Movement)
sounds like water sometimes
Movement IV
I know somebody, yes I know someone
Who loves to wait, loves to wait for the policeman to come
I know somebody, yes I know them well
And I'm aware of the thought they call ringin' the bell
Four on the flo-or, and four in the air
I'm drinkin' cold cold lightnin' with the buzz in my hair
I knew a partner, yes I knew his heart stopped
I know somebody, yes I know someone
Who likes to wait, likes to wait for the policeman to come
I know somebody, yes I know them well
And I'm aware of the thought they call a ringin' the bell
Four on the flo-or, and four in the air
I'm drinkin' cold cold lightnin' with the buzz in my hair
I knew a partner, yes I knew his house nut
I know somebody, yes I know someone
Who loves to wait, loves to wait for those policemen to come
I know somebody, yes I know them well
And I'm aware of the thought they call a ringin' the bell
Out on the flo-or, and four in the air
I'm drinkin' cold, cold lightin' with the buzz in my hair
I knew a partner, yes I knew his house nut
Movement V
kind of mum-like, quiet, a little sad, pretty, echo-y
bits of hissing air
buzzy thing like a faded alarm clock
calming organ
ooooh, is that a little xylophone in there?!
nope, keyboards perhaps
Movement VI
begins with strident keyboard, and a possible banjo
Why do my toes always feel so cold
How come (how come, how cooooooome?) [brian wilson]
Why does all the soap always burn like a rope
How come (how come, how cooooooome?)
When I see your reflection, it always frightened me
So strong that I could hardly speak
How come? pretty!
Mixed a potion, the summer's ocean
Feel I'm swimmin' in tannin' lotion
Too many courtiers, not enough needs
How come (how come, how coooo-ooome?)
(how come, how cooooooome?)
Thank you for all that's me [for all this meat?]
Sullen news, the stars are sad
Stuff that keeps me clean
Stuff that helps me breathe
Lamp's the light's the kerosene
Beautiful chickadee's scream
(How come?)
Why does all the soap always burn like a rope
How come (how come, how coooooome?)
Why does all my toes always seem so cold
How come (how come, how cooooooome?)
Movement VII
oh christ i have no idea
(bah bah bah bah bah badda bah) overtop
just when I said I'd call you
Not after this
I guess we reached the end, now
I'd like to give a shout out to all of the ladies
From the north, down
All the way down to San Antone
It's a real good feelin', y'all know what I'm sayin'?
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
All at once I just am one with her body
They'd be gone
But I'm breakin' out a fool every day, you know what I'm sayin'
So I guess we've finally reached the end
We have
holy crap
So the site went down just as I was trying to post last night. Here is my interpretation. The words which I have no clue on, toward the end, I have placed "xxxx" entries. I wrote the lines consecutively, except where there is a musical interlude and a break in the lyrics--then there is a space between lines.
I
Cobra comes up next to me.
Any where he goes, he's silently.
How do you take speaking so much?
How do you live without a lover's touch?
Dale always says it's easy
I looked on phone like one, two, three (?)
I got them moves, declared to me
You need to listen cuz I guarantee you're for sure
Now I know I've been movin' too much
I'm gonna live for my hottest/hottie's touch
How do you take speaking so much?
How do you live without a lover's touch?
Wow.
Covered in charcoal, head to toe
Sticky, stick charcoal, I want you to know
How I long till I get these off
They're so convenient but at such a cost
King I go out to plead/eat (?)
Sticky, sticky warmth, come and rush to me
I want to know, I want to see
There's life for me
Oh how I long till I get these off
They're so convenient but at such a cost.
II
I know somebody, yes, I know someone
Who loves to wait, loves to wait for the policeman to come.
I know somebody, yes, I know them well
And I'm aware of the thought they call ringing the bell
Four on the floor and four in the air
I'm drinkin' cold, cold lightning with the bugs/buzz in my hair
I knew a partner, yes, I knew his house (now)
I know somebody, yes, I know someone
Who likes to wait, likes to wait for the policeman to come.
I know somebody, yes, I know them well
And I'm aware of the thought they call ringing the bell
Four on the floor and four in the air
I'm drinkin' cold, cold lightning with the bugs/buzz in my hair
I knew a partner, yes, I knew his house (now)
I know somebody, yes, I know someone,
Who loves to wait, loves to wait for those policeman to come.
I know somebody, yes I know them well
And I'm aware of the thought they call ringing the bell.
Out on the floor and four in the air
I'm drinkin' cold, cold lightning with the buzz in my hair
I knew a partner, yes, I knew his house (now)
III
Why do my toes always feel so cold?
How come? How come? How come?
Why's all the soap always burn like a rope?
How come? How come? How come?
When I see your reflection, it always frightens me
So strong that I can hardly speak.
How come?
Mixed up potion, the summer's ocean
I feel I'm swimming in tell-lotion/into a little ocean (?)
Too many car chairs, and not enough leads
How come? How come? How come?
Thank you for all the sleep
So I know the spark's aside
Stuff that keeps me clean
Stuff that helps me breathe
The lamps, the lights, the kerosene
Beautiful, two gardenias spring
How come?
Why does all the soap always burn like the rope?
How come? How come? How come?
Why's all my toes always seem so cold?
How come? How come? How come?
IV
Just wanna shout out to all y'all, all the fellas
I guess we were staying here,
I'd like to give a shout out to all the xxxxx,
From the north, Dallas, all the way down to San Anton,
It's a real good feelin', they got goin' far, (?)
All the xxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx body,
They be gone, but I reckon I'm xxxx every day,
You know what I'm saying?
So I guess it's a fine waste-end/way to end.
We out.
Okay, now comes the fun/hard part. :P EC, as we are the only two that have yet posted, we should go back and listen to the song reading the other's lyrics. Then we can argue and bicker about whose are better!
(I realize this will be a slow process, and I won't be able to do anything until later today myself. But remember, this is an important task!)
Quotethis is an important task!
Yes sir! I need time, also. (But it was REALLY fun to read your take!!)
This was fun, I have a whole new love for the song now.
Cobra comes up next to me
Anywhere he goes he's beside of me
How do you take speakin so much
How do you live without a lovers touch
Do what he say's it's easy
I'm hooked on four like 123
I've got them moves they're clear to me
You need to listen cause I gaurantee your FORTUNE!
Now I know I've been movin to much
I'm going to live for my lovers touch
How do you take speakin so much
How do you live without a lovers touch
Covered in Chocolate head to toe
Sticky Sticky Chocolate I want you to know
Oh How I long till I get these off
they're so Convenient but at such a cost
Can I go out to be
Sticky Sticky woman come and rush to me
I want to know I want to see (live he adds "to find the one")
That's right for me
How I long till I get these off
They're so conveinient but at such a cost.
I know somebody Yes I know someone
Likes to wait likes to wait for the policeman to come
I know somebody yes I know them well
and I'm aware of the thought they call ringin the bell
four on the floor and four in the air
I'm drinkin cool cool lightnin with the bugs in my hair
I knew a partner yes I know his house now
Why do my toes always feel so cold
How Come? How Come? How Come?
Why does Ono's soul always burn like a rope
How Come? How Come? How Come?
When I see your reflection
It always frightend me
So strong that I can hardly speak............I CRY!!!!
Mixed up potion and summer's ocean
feal I'm swmming in tanning lotion
to many car chairs and not enough needs
How come? How Come? How Come?
Thank you for all that's me
the sun the moon the stars and sand
Stuff that keeps me clean
Stuff that helps me breathe
Lamps that light the Kerosene
Beautiful to got clean screen
How Come? How Come? How Come?
Why does Ono's soul always burn like the rope
Why do my toes always feel so Cold?
Let's give a shout out to all the fellas
Interpretation: Thoughts on Temptation, Desire, Sin, and the serpant. Is it better to fight or give in? The pleasure of taking joy in the pure things in life, Yoko Ono's soul? etc.
QuoteInterpretation: Thoughts on Temptation, Desire, Sin, and the serpant. Is it better to fight or give in? The pleasure of taking joy in the pure things in life, Yoko Ono's soul? etc.
Yeah, gooood!
I was thinking about the interpretation, too. It was pretty cool to really focus on it well into the morning. Gave it a whole new take. I was thinking that it's kind of a shout out to the Universe, or whatever he believes in... and big time about a break up.
I was also imagining the cobra as this pimped-out wicked-ass dancer. heh.
And now all that's going through my head is the song from the old G.I. Joe cartoon "Cobra!" (My brother ALWAYS got the tv when G.I. Joe was on.)
I really think a big part of this song has to do with being on tour.
"Too many courtiers, not enough needs"
I think this line makes more sense than mine EC.
QuoteWhy does Ono's soul always burn like a coal
That also works better if he's covered in sticky, sticky charcoal instead of choco (or chocolate...)
Poor Yoko. I think it would've been hard to be her. :(
I always thought one of the lines was:
I am hooked on four, like one, two, three.
here's my try...
I sort of gave up at the end.
sun comes up, next to me
anywhere he goes, is silently
(woah!) how do you take, so sweet and so much?
(woah!) how do you live without a lover's touch?
do what he says, it's easy
(something).... like 1, 2, 3
you need to listen cuz I guarantee your fortune
now you know why I'm runnin so much
I want to live for my lover's touch
how do you take when sweet and so much
how do you live without a lover's touch?
covered in chocolate...head to toe
sticky sticky chocolate...I want you to know
how I long til I get these off?
they're so convenient but at such a cost
can I go out to be?
sticky sticky woman fell in next to me
I wanna know, I want to see
is that for me?
oh how long til I get these off?
they're so convenient but at such a cost...ohhh...
how long?......(or "ahhhhohhhhh")
I know somebody yes I know someone (or "some walk")
who lights the way, lights the way for the policeman to come
I know somebody yes I know them well
and I'm aware of the thought they call it ringin the bell
four on the floor (or "floral"?) and four in the air
I'm drinkin (or "makin") cold cold lightning lightning with their bugs in my hair
I knew a partner yes I knew his thoughts (or "house" or "spouse")
(repeat the last two stanzas)
why do my toes always feel so cold?
how come, how come, how come?
whys all the snowballers play rock and roll?
how come how come how come?
when I see your reflection they always find me
so small that I can hardly speak
how come?
mixed up potion summers ocean
feel like I'm swimming in dead-end lotion ('motion"?)
too many couches not enough knees
how come how come how come?
thank you for all this meat
salmonella scars inside
stuff that keeps me clean
stuff that helps me breathe
lips that lights the kerosene
beautiful two frog steam
(there's another couple of stanzas maybe, but I gave up)
If we're not sick of this thread yet, remember to re-listen to the song with the other people's lyrics in mind. Then, after enough sufficient debate, we can compile a most-likely, agreed-upon set of lyrics that, with CC's and ConnJohnaway's approval, will be official! Maybe we can even get them posted under the Music section.
i think it shoudl be "out on the floor, four in the air"
maybe not though.
and also, I think the "hooked on four like one, two, three" is right.
Is it crazy if I think that half of it was made up as it was done, and therefore no definitive Cobra exists?
Or is it far too complicated and intricate for me to understand?
I'm sure Jim reads this forum.......come down to our level and post em, Jeeeeeeeeeeum! 8)
i have yet to check out the lyrics others posted, and im about to try my luck!!! ill post back in 24 odd minutes
cobra comes up, next to me
anywhere he goes, its silently
how do you take speakin so much
how do you live without a lovers touch
blahblhablha its easy
im hooked on funk like 1,2,3
i got the moves they playin to me
you need to listen to cause i guarentee your fortune
now i know ive been moving too much
i dont live for my lovers touch
how do you take mm speaking so much
how do you live without a lovers touch, mmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
uuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
uuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
covered in (chocolate??) head to toe
sticky sticky (chocolate??) hi want you to know
howlong till i get these arms
they so convenient but at such a cost
can i go out today
sticky sticky warmth
(no idea)
i wanna know i want to see
thats right for me
oh how long till i get these arms
there so convenient but at such a cost
uuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhh
aaaaauuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
aaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhh
i know somebody, yes i know someone who lost her way who lost way for a (police somehting????)
i know somebody, yes i know them well, and im aware of the thought that (no matter how loud i blast my PA system i cant figure out for the life of me what hes saying!!!!!)
four on the floor and four in the air
im drinking cold cold ?lightning?with the buzz in my hair
i know a partner yes i know his house like....
(sweet bass)
i know somebody, yes i know someone who lost her way who lost way for a (police somehting????)
i know somebody, yes i know them well, and im aware of the thought that (no matter how loud i blast my PA system i cant figure out for the life of me what hes saying!!!!!)
four on the floor and four in the air
im drinking cold cold ?lightning?with the buzz in my hair
i know a partner yes i know his house like....
(sweet bass)
(same lines onw more time)
(trippy spacey noises......should not have ignore the substance prerequisite ;)
banjo kicks in
why do my toes always feel so cold
how come how come how ocme
why does my soul always burn like a rope
howcome how come how come
when i see your reflection, they always fightin me
so strong that i can hardly speak,
how come
mixed up potion, a summers ocean
feels like im swimming in tanning lotion
too many coaches, not enough needs
howc ome how come how come
thank yu for all thats me
(no idea the last few lines)
something helps me breath
the lamps that lights the carocene
beautiful day(lost again)
why does my soul always burn like a rope
howcome how come how come
why do my toes always feel so cold
how come how come how ocme
nah nahn nahahahaha.
not very good i dont think, but the best i can do, minus the talking at the end, ill get that from someone else.
cant wait to read your guyses
ok, first off, i think EC must have the craziest ears of all time, or i simply had the wrong idea by making my neighbours enjoy it also, perhaps too loud. but i think she hit it right on the head with a few lines:
"Too many courtiers, not enough needs" ......how you got that ill never know, but genius
Lamp's the light's the kerosene .....i was close, but this makes complete sense
Sweatboard too, got some i couldnt
" I'm hooked on four like 123 " i like it, werks for me
theres more but im all cobrad out right now. going BOWLING!! cant wait to check this later. and thanks for starting this Boar, these have been eating at me for months
whoa... you guys have the patience of... OXEN!!! :D
i tried to do this but then got into the song so much that my pen fell out of my hand and i just swooned to the muzeek... anyway, good job, folks.
Thanks for doing this, people! I have long wondered about the lyrics to this 23+ minutes masterpiece. I had some of them figured out, but not as many as y'all do. If I can remember and if I can find it, I will forward my "review" of Cobra from two or three years back. I have always called that very last part "the Tyson segment" because the way Jim's talking there always reminds me of how Mike Tyson talks.
Low Dog
i love that jim wrote a song with the lyric:
"Why do my toes always feel so cold?"
i have to go get the EP now & have a listen!
i've been trying to track down a live version of cobra - i downloaded "end of cobra" from the 28/05/04 show at the opera house, which was great, but is really only the middle section of the song... have they ever played the whole thing live?
ali, I believe the answer to that question is no. I believe. There's a lot of legend surrounding Cobra. 8)
Quoteali, I believe the answer to that question is no. I believe. There's a lot of legend surrounding Cobra. 8)
lebowskifest 2004? wasn't that the full version...or was I intoxicated? hahhahhahha of course I was....
yes, there's a legend for sure.
I tried... The more disputable lines are in bold...
I
Cobra comes up next to me.
Any where he goes, he's silently.
How do you take speaking so much?
How do you live without a lover's touch?
Dale always says it's easy
]I'm hooked on funk like one, two, three
I got them moves, declared to me
You need to listen cuz I guarantee you're for sure
Now I know I've been movin' too much
I'm gonna live for my hotty's touch
How do you take (him/mmm) speaking so much?
How do you live without a lover's touch?
Covered in charcoal, head to toe
Sticky, sticky charcoal, I want you to know
How I long till I get these off?
They're so convenient but at such a cost
Can I go out to eat?
Sticky, sticky warmth, come and rush to me
I want to know, I want to see
There's life for me, Mmhmm.
Oh how I long till I get these off?
They're so convenient but at such a cost.
II (New weird accent)
I know somebody, yes, I know someone
Who loves to wait, loves to wait for the policeman to come.
I know somebody, yes, I know them well
And I'm aware of the thought they call ringing the bell
Four on the floor and four in the air
I'm drinkin' cold, cold lightning with the bugs in my hair
I knew a partner, yes, I know his house
(There's a fragment of a word here at the end, I think - I wonder if its from the verse being cut just a fraction of a second too late before being looped?)
I know somebody, yes, I know someone
Who likes to wait, likes to wait for the policeman to come.
I know somebody, yes, I know them well
And I'm aware of the thought they call ringing the bell
Four on the floor and four in the air
I'm drinkin' cold, cold lightning with the bugs in my hair
I knew a partner, yes, I know his house
I know somebody, yes, I know someone,
Who loves to wait, loves to wait for those policeman to come.
I know somebody, yes I know them well
And I'm aware of the thought they call ringing the bell.
Out on the floor and four in the air
I'm drinkin' cold, cold lightning with the bugs in my hair
I knew a partner, yes, I know his house
III
Why do my toes always feel so cold?
How come? How come? How come?
Why's all the soap always burn like a roll/rope?
How come? How come? How come?
When I see your reflection, it always frightens me
So strong that I can hardly speak.
How come?
Mixed up potion in the summer's ocean
Feel I'm swimming in a tiny lil ocean
Too many car chairs, and not enough needs
How come? How come? How come?
Thank you for all the sleep
So I know the spark's outside
Stuff that keeps me clean
Stuff that helps me breathe
The lamps, the lights, the kerosene
Beautiful, two gardenias spring
How come?
Why does all the soap always burn like the roll/rope?
How come? How come? How come?
Why's all my toes always seem so cold?
How come? How come? How come?
IV (Thuggish)
Just wanna shout out to all y'all, all the fellas
I guess we were staying here (???)
I'd like to give a shout out to all the boys,
From the North Dallas, all the way down to San Anton,
It's a real good feelin', you know what I'm sayin?
All the ones who just .... (???)
They be gone, but I reckon I'm breakin out every day (???)
You know what I'm saying?
So I guess it's a fine way to end.
We out.
Quoteali, I believe the answer to that question is no. I believe. There's a lot of legend surrounding Cobra.
i went out & bought choc/ice last night - NOW i understand why there may not be a full live version..... :) lord the song is like an album all by itself
i think it may be the hip-shakin'est mmj song i've heard so far - i was having a little groove listening to it last night ;D