What The Hell Is It This Time?

Album: Hippopotamus (2017)
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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.

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