Shall We Take Ourselves Seriously?
Frank Zappa · Buffalo [2010]
Should only be consumed By people with a larger mouth (?) fa fa fa fa
Shall we take ourselves seriously? Shall we talk about it all night long?
Shall we think we are so evolved? Will we be depressed If were wrong?
Shall we take ourselves seriously? Shall we take ourselves elsewhere?
Shall we drink while we squat there In the middle of this stupid song?
Shall we never go out there? Shall we take us where we dont belong
When we notice that the spargel is gone? Shall we weep in the box office
dawn Oh go away Im no good for you Are the tickets all counted? Are the
costs all accounted for? Shall we bring up the spargel For discussion at least
once more? Shall we take ourselves seriously? Shall we think we are so
mature? Shall we be very wrong At the end of this song? If we will ever (?)
Shall We Take Ourselves Seriously?
Frank Zappa's 'Shall We Take Ourselves Seriously?' stands as a quintessential example of his satirical approach to rock composition. Released on the 2010 compilation Buffalo, the track reflects Zappa's lifelong tendency to blend complex musical structures with biting social commentary. Throughout his extensive discography, Zappa frequently challenged listeners to question the gravity of artistic pretension, often using humor to deconstruct serious themes. This recording captures his unique ability to merge jazz-influenced instrumentation with rock energy, creating a sound that is both intellectually stimulating and rhythmically engaging. The song remains a testament to his innovative spirit and his refusal to adhere to conventional genre boundaries, inviting audiences to engage with the music on multiple levels without taking the performance too literally.