Mr. Zappa recommended in his Book, "The Real Frank Zappa Book" that if you have problems with pop music, then have your kids listen to Jazz or Classical so that way the music doesn't "warp their little minds."  I think that Zappa looked at his main interest in the sonic Avante Garde as being beyond the palate of the average listener.  So, how do you get "regular folks" to listen to "Non-Regular-Folks" music?  Put words in it about boobies, poop chutes, Jewish Princesses, Valley Girls and Yellow Snow.  To ME, the lyrics were the Bacon and Cheese that allowed me to take the brave step into a new musical world.

I think the psychology of Zappa's music was to entice a listener into the Oevure with a goofy and easily digestible song like, "Wowie Zowie" so the listener decides to buy the album.  But then, unwittingly, they are drawn into the greater picture of instrumental songs, wild arrangements and the multi-meter, harder than hell to understand units of serious Avant Garde Composition.

I've grown as a musician through a lot of composers but Zappa was the biggest Mind Stretch.  At first, I stuck close to shore with the funny songs and covers, but in the last 5 years, I've found most of my listening is to the instrumental ensemble and orchestral work.  (when my wife isn't around...she HATES Zappa.)

Personally...(sit down, I said PERSONALLY!) I find the lyrical content of Mr. Zappa's music to be of minimal consequence compared to they musical impact.  However, Songs like Billy the Mountain, tend to contain a form of Parody that reflects socio-political events from a "citizen's" point of view rather than a historical.  Village of the Sun provides a view into Frank's world.  And there's still lots of of his stuff I HAVEN'T heard so I might be missing something.  KDB mentioned Broadway the Hardway and for those folks who weren't aware of the political weirdness of the late Reagan years, give it a try. It's a hoot.  Plus, it has everyone's favorite, Mr. Sting singing on it.  It's funny how on Franks Stage, no matter what your stature in the world of music, you come across as a big fat buffoon in his presence. 

Hungry Freaks, Daddy!

PRH