What The Hell Is It This Time?

Album: Hippopotamus (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song envisions God getting frustrated with the trifling problems constantly prayed his way. He finally snaps, answering, "What the hell is it this time?"

    In a Songfacts interview with Sparks, Ron Mael described the song as "a wry look at people who maybe are asking of God things that are less monumental and should be solved on their own."
  • Ron Mael told Songfacts that this song is not meant to besmirch religion. "It's more just a statement on people who feel that somebody else has to solve all of their problems," he said. "They can't do anything by themselves."
  • Athletes and fans often ask for God's help, which is an example of a concern He might be too busy to address. "If Arsenal wins, He really don't care," Russell Mael sings.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets

Curt Kirkwood of Meat PuppetsSongwriter Interviews

The (Meat)puppetmaster takes us through songs like "Lake Of Fire" and "Backwater," and talks about performing with Kurt Cobain on MTV Unplugged.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Movie Stars In Music Videos

Movie Stars In Music VideosSong Writing

Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis and John Malkovich are just a few of the film stars who have moonlighted in music videos.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.