Hungry Freaks, Daddy

FRANK ZAPPA

"Hungry Freaks, Daddy"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HARftxbkX2M

Oftentimes lyricists and vocalists are compared to poets, due to their poetic word structure and use of figurative language. While some artists sing about love and feelings, others utilize satire and criticism to convey their ideas. Artists also use creative methods of presenting their ideas, and certain categories of music present expected styles of delivery. One of these artists is Frank Zappa. Throughout his massive catalogue of albums and films, Zappa has changed with the times, and explored countless styles of musical composition and delivery. His early work exemplifies in-your-face lyrics about change and reform, while his later work deals with musical complexity and precision.

Frank Zappa drew his influence from a number of sources, ranging from blues classics to bizarre avante-garde composers. The first album Zappa purchased was “Ionization”, by Edgar Varese. The album is known for its rhythmic brilliance, and odd time changes. Zappa also collected music from guitarists such as Howlin’ Wolf. The erratic assortment of his influences shows where Zappa obtained his combination of quirkiness and brilliance. His compositions bear some resemblance to other artists of the time period, particularly Captain Beefheart, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin. Zappa is particularly hard to classify, and excels in many genres. Although many people have tried to pigeonhole Zappa’s style, he usually refuses to be confined to musical categories. In his lyrics and interviews, Zappa mocks conformity and pop idolatry, and he eludes supposedly “normal” tendencies.

Many artists of today and past decades have praised Frank Zappa’s work, and claimed to have been influenced by him. Trey Anastasio, the lead songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist for Phish, says “Zappa was incredibly vital to me, as a composer and guitarist. I think he was the best electric-guitar player, other than Jimi Hendrix.” Anastasio also acknowledges Zappa’s classical compositions, in which he mapped out the music note for note, instrument by instrument. Zappa’s influence is seen in the complexity and structure of Phish songs, and Anastasio composes songs with bizarre arrangements. John Frusciante, guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, also shares interest in Zappa, and remembers studying his guitar playing for hours.

Most of Frank Zappa’s lyrical work came at the beginning of his career, with the Mothers of Invention. Before he started arranging pieces as a solo artist, Zappa utilized “shock rock” techniques, usually providing intense lyrics and radical stage shows. His earliest albums criticize pop culture, and mock people like hippies and activist groups. He also attacks the government, and political policies in the United States. This is clear in “Hungry Freaks, Daddy”, off The Mothers of Invention’s Freak Out! album. The lyrics of the song speak out against conformity, and questions just how ideal American society really is.

“Philosophy that turns away
From those who aren't afraid to say
What's on their minds”

The words describe people being shunned for speaking their minds, and not expressing themselves. American society is targeted, and Zappa speaks out against the way that people give in to accepted standards, instead of daring to be original or try to make a difference.

“Mister America
Walk on by
Your schools that do not teach
Mister America
Walk on by
The minds that won't be reached”

This verse gives America an arrogant personality, blaming schools for not teaching and people for not being open-minded. Zappa cries out to change the standards by which people live, telling people not to be afraid to be different. The “Walk on by” line helps visualize a passive “America”, creating a visualization of passiveness, indifference to the specific needs of an individual.

Despite Zappa’s crafty satire and criticism, the shock value of his work often presents a shallow image to the public. Because of his crazy antics and offensive lyrics, people tend to overlook the brilliance of Zappa’s musical pieces, and the groundbreaking styles used in his instrumentals. Hailed as a musical genius by prestigious organizations and individuals all across the world, Zappa is one of the most underrated musicians to ever put the pen to paper. He also introduced methods of using an instrument emulator called the Synclavier, which mixes sounds that normal man-made instruments cannot make. Before he died, Frank Zappa created yet another technological advancement, xenochrony. This refers to the process of extracting a sound from one recording, and mixing it into another, as if it belonged there.

Frank Zappa died of prostate cancer in 1993, but still managed to have one of the most prolific careers of any composer in music history. Releasing over 80 albums and 15 films, most of which were produced by himself. Overall, Zappa’s message may have been received as immature and profane, but I feel that he has introduced positive aspects to today’s music industry, whether they be instrumentally, compositionally, or lyrically. He set new standards with each decade that he composed, and continually challenged other artists to improve their work. He formed touring band of the finest instrumentalists available, which performed insanely complex material with proficient excellence. Whether it is through word articulation, musical wizardry, or sound management, Zappa’s works command you to listen, and still remain timeless up to 40 years later.

Mister America
Walk on by
Your schools that do not teach
Mister America
Walk on by
The minds that won't be reached
Mister America
Try to hide
The emptiness that's you inside
When once you find that the way you lied
And all the corny tricks you tried
Will not forestall the rising tide of
Hungry freaks, Daddy . . .

They won't go
For no more
Great mid-western hardware store
Philosophy that turns away
From those who aren't afraid to say
What's on their minds
(The left-behinds of the Great Society)

Hungry freaks, Daddy . . .

Mister America
Walk on by
Your supermarket dream
Mister America
Walk on by
The liquor store supreme
Mister America
Try to hide
The product of your savage pride
The useful minds that it denied
The day you shrugged and stepped aside
You saw their clothes and then you cried:
THOSE HUNGRY FREAKS, DADDY!

They won't go
For no more
Great mid-western hardware store
Philosophy that turns away
From those who aren't afraid to say
What's on their minds
(The left-behinds of the Great Society)