I thought the lyrics said “Bill Cosby”, so the song didn’t really make much sense to me, but now I’ve looked up Bukowski, the lyrics still don’t make sense. It seems like he’s saying life sucks so much it’s hard to believe there’s a God, or that if God exists maybe he’s an asshole, but what’s the bit on evil home stereos and weddings about?

Woke this morning and it seemed to me
That every night turns out to be
A little bit more like Bukowski
And yeah, I know he’s a pretty good read
But God, who’d want to be
God, who’d want to be such an asshole?
God, who’d want to be
God, who’d want to be such an asshole?

Well we sat on the edge of the river
The crowd screamed, “Sacrifice the liver!”
If God takes life, he’s an Indian giver
So tell me now why, you’ll tell me never
Who would want to be
Who would want to be such a control freak?
Well who would want to be
Who would want to be such a control freak?

Well, see what you want to see
You should see it all
Well, take what you want from me
You deserve it all
Nine times out of ten
Our hearts just get dissolved
Well, I want a better place
Or just a better way to fall
But one time out of ten
Everything is perfect for us all
Well, I want a better place
Or just a better way to fall

Here we go
If God controls the land and disease
Keeps a watchful eye on me
If he’s really so damn mighty
My problem is that I can’t see
Well who’d want to be
Who’d want to be such a control freak?
Well who’d want to be
Who would want to be such a control freak?

Evil home stereo
What good songs do you know?
Evil me, oh yeah, I know
What good curves can you throw?

Well, all that icing and all that cake
I can’t make it to your wedding but I’m sure I’ll be at your wake
You were talk, talk, talking in circles that day
When you get to the point make sure that I’m still awake, okay?

Went to bed and didn’t see
Why every day turns out to be
A little bit more like Bukowski
And yeah, I know he’s a pretty good read
But God, who’d want to be
God, who’d want to be such an asshole?

Possibly relevant posts:

• Canzoni Stonate (5/27/2007)
• Simpson’s quote (3/6/2004)
• Life sucks! (2/27/2003)