Comments: 72

• Colorod0 from ColoradoStop That Thing - Sleepy John Estes
  Self-accompanied, with Hammie Nixon, harmonica and possible unknown second guitarist
  
  CHORUS: Oh, she big fat mama, won't you stop that thing?
  Skinny woman won't you do that thing?
  Kind mama, won't you stop that thing?
  Papa got mad because mama won't stop that thing
  Now, mama killed a chicken and thought it was a duck
  ___ 'im on the table with his legs straight up
  Here John, come with a cup and glass
  Catch the liquor just to make you laugh
  Papa got mad because mama won't stop that thing
  
  CHORUS: Oh, she big fat mama, won't you stop that thing?
  Skinny mama, won't you do that thing?
  Kind mama, won't you stop that thing?
  Papa got mad because mama won't stop that thing
  
  Now I went upstairs to sleep a little bit
  Went back to sleep a little more
  The old bed fell down I had to sleep in the floor
  Now Papa got mad, mama won't stop that thing
• Mark from Dallas, TxThis was my favorite song when I was about 15. Very simply, it’s a kid’s naive perspective of overhearing his mom and dad having a good romp in the bedroom and being in love. Wonderful song and concept, no matter the origin. I explained to my sons that a squeezebox is a small accordion and left it at that.
• Al (not Bundy) from L.a.OK; let's think again. Yes, one wears an accordion across the chest, but what does mama literally wear on her chest? (it ain't a vagina, although old time euphemism for vagina was indeed "box"). So, what does mama actually wear on her chest? Here's a clue - there's two of them. Can they be squeezed together to form a pseudo "vagina" or "box"? Hum - a "squeeze box"! Still fit as a sexual innuendo? In and out and in and out (c'mon, do we have to paint a picture)? Listen to the lyrics with an open mind and re-judge. Any wonder daddy's up all night?!
  
  As for additional songs with dual meanings, consider "Big Ten Inch" by AeroSmith, "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones, but duality don't get no better than "If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me" by The Bellamy Brothers!
• Rearadmiral from Madison, Nj@Cindy from Austin Texas, she goes in and out and in and out and in and out because she’s on top in a riding position, just to clear up your confusion
• Russell from Blue MountainsNever knew Pete played the banjo , sounded like Keith was enjoying himself and I wish John wasn't buried in the mix . A ripper of a tune "One more time please".
• Seventhmist from 7th HeavenNever cared for this song. A double entendre doesn't need to hit you over the head.
• Howard from St. Louis Park, Mn Even though the lyrics seem a bit risque, it's one of my all-time favorite songs by The Who. It's a departure from their hard rock sound and it sound more country rock.
• Sonnesun from UkPS. Jade, how sweet of you to believe that it's just about the accordion but it's definitely meant as a double-entendre joke. This is The Who we're talking about. A gritty rock band whom just dabbled in a bluegrass style for this song, they're not some safe christian folk country bluegrass outfit. When Townshend wrote it and when Daltrey sings it, do you actually really believe that they only ever had the accordion on their minds? Although you are spot-on with the innocent analogy with it, there's also the deliberately obvious sexual undertrones to it also. The accordion is actually secondary and this song was always meant to be rude and innocent at the same time, and is just meant to be taken as a giggle :)
• Sonnesun from UkIt's just a shame that the line wasn't "Mama's got a Squeeze box she wears NEAR her chest" to save confusion and debate. I mean, the vagina is near enough, not too far away from it. Plus the accordion is played near to the chest also for the perfect double-entendre. So I will just take it as a slight lyrical misfire. and that he meant chest as the whole front body area.
  
  BTW, love the song. She goes in and out and in and out and in and out and in and out.... :)
• Jade from Amory, MsOk those of you who think this is about sex, is only because haven't experience with the accordion.
  
  Mama's got a squeeze box she wears on her chest (you wear an accordion, a musical instrument, colloquial name is a "Squuezebox" it has a strap that goes around your neck to support it, worn on top of the chest)
  And when daddy comes home he never gets no rest (it can be played loudly)
  Cause she's playing all night and the music is all right, (She's loves this instrument so much, she is playing it constantly, disturbing everyone's sleep. )
  
  Well the kid's don't eat and the dog can't sleep, there's no escape from the music, in the whole damn street (playing it instead of making dinner)
  She goes, squeeze me, come on and squeeze me, come on and tease me like you do (instrument can be slowly pumped, teasing air over the reeds, producing a softer harmonic sound)
  It goes in and out and in and out and in and out (this instrument has bellows which forces air through reeds as you compress (in) and decompress (out) it, so you have this constant pumping action to produce beautiful harmonic music. Very similar to the way a harmonica works, except of course you don't inhale or exhale through it with your mouth, and a squeezebox has a more dynamic range than a single harmonica.
  
  
• Fraser from Kent, United KingdomI thought it was about a woman and her vibrator...think about it
• Paul from Syracuse, NySqueeze Box is a song with dual meaning. It's a fairly innocent concept: a woman buys an accordian and plays it constantly, even at night, so that her family can't get any sleep. Or it could mean something else. Another song with dual meaning is Big Balls by AC/DC. Can anyone think of another one so that we will be able to name three?
• John from Honolulu, Hiin England, there is a long tradition of pub songs with double-meaning lyrics - bawdy tunes. there are quite a few Townshend songs in this tradition.
• Ryan from Windsor, NsThe way I see this song is similar to my kinda situation. A mother is so moved by music, she can't stop playing, ending up not only forgetting to do daily things, but also forgetting people tend to sleep at 2:00 in the morning. And "The Music's Alright" Well, I don't want to be cocky, but people tend to tell me I'm quite good at guitar/singing.
• Cindy from Austin, Txit is pretty obvious it's about sex or something but i'm still kind of confused about some things. first of all (and i think that people have mentioned this before), why is her vagina on her chest? unless a squeeze box is also slang for breasts. and second of all, why does SHE go in and out and in and out???
  those are the things i am confused about. and it really bothers me when i listen to this song, because it's a good song.
  or, i can just pretend that it's about an accordion.
• Cozette from Sonoma, CaRock in Chicago and Jane in Atlanta...I agree that this song is bluegrass and came out before The Who did it. Do you know names/bands that recorded this song? Also, the song means whatever your little heart desires it to mean as is true with so many songs.
• David from Oakland, NjThe Who By Proxy
  Squeezebox, a song written by Pete Townsend and performed by The Who tells the tale of a "Squeezebox" a metaphor defining the antithesis of a lovable something or other. Clearly undefined with undeniable intrigue, this "box" grips this family to the core with both pleasantries and exasperation. Worn on Momma's chest, with the fruits of life revealed herein as she, "the Squeeze Box" goes in and out and in and out and in. Townsends "Squeezebox" celebrates the family through the miracle of life, as seen through the eye's of a child the husband and his wife.
  In truth most people would agree with David from Lubbock, Texas, as quoted in Songfacts. "Squeezebox is a slang term for an accordion, but it is also slang for the vagina. The band just wanted to see if they could get away with singing about the joys of explicit sex." Or you can take another common, although more ambivalent interpretation, like Ian from Tiverton, United Kingdom. He believes, "This song is about what ever the person listening wants it to be. You want it to be clean, okay, it is about a mom who doesn't feed or let her family sleep and doesn't care about noise affecting her neighbors or its about sex. It's up to the listener."
  To argue Townsends lyrical intent is pointless without factoring the bands musical accompanyment. The Who's Kieth Moon and John Entwisle provides the songs strong back beat. The upbeat tempo compliments Pete Townsends banjo's bright cord progressions nicely, while Roger Daltry's unique vocal prowess fuses the sound and lyric. The result, a celebratory song without a hint of melancholy or satire which undermines the contradictions found in popular opinion. Such contradictions would be inherent and require derogatory connotations punctuated by the song to support interpretations and claims of ambiguity and metaphor. The Who released the intrinsic form of the abstract art of music through their lyric and musical accompanyment thereby giving the song Premise and overall meaning.
  The song unfolds like a riddle from the beginning and continues throughout its entirety. "Mama's got a squeeze box she wears on her chest and when daddy comes home he never gets no rest." In the construct of this song, the squeeze box would certainly appear to be an "albatross" of some sort. Hanging from her neck and placed squarely on her chest, all the while (the albatross) goes "in and out and in and out and in and out and in and out." In and out of sleep because she cant stay awake "She" doesn't say squeeze me "she goes squeeze me, come and squeeze me, come on and tease my like you do, I'm so in love with you." The Who captures aura, lovable unspoken articulate dialoge and atmosphere enshined in moments like these where the loved who love and would be loved make their mark.
  The Squeeze box is a cherished newborn that has the rest of its life ahead of it. If such an endearing family felt the love of their precious baby, who went "in and out of sleep" over the course of weeks and months following her newly-found life, one could easily understand why they would brag about being "up all night," and why the "music's all right," Its cause "Mamma's got a squeezebox," (daddy's little girl) "daddy never sleeps at night."
  
• Ian from Tiverton, United Kingdomthis song is about what ever the person listening wants it to be. you want it to be clean ok it is about a mom who doesnt feed or let her family sleep and doesnt care about noise affecting her neighbours or its about sex. its up to the listener.......lol
• Jane from Atlanta, GaRock-You are not crazy--My husband used to sing me this song in the late 50's or early 60's--I'm with you Pete didn't write it. We listened to WAOK in atlanta and they played early, early rock and roll by all the greats
• Heather from Los Angeles, CaLong Live Chet Atkins and Earl Scruggs, the Fathers of Bluegrass!
• Pillow from Milwaukee, WiThe banjo in this song is awesome. Almost have it nailed! One of the greatest bands in rock history.
• Roy from Granbania, MaThis song's metaphors are quite funny I think...and maybe we should just leave it at that unless we're gonna talk more about the music. By the way Tenacious D did a good version of this on VH1's Rock Honors tribute to The Who...maybe that'll start some kind of better conversation.
• Mitch Hoppman from East Dubuque, Ilbut in the song it says she wears the squeeze box on her chest
• Janet from Philedelphia, PaWHen I was little i listened to this song all the time! And for like a few years i didnt hear it and of course in that time i learned about things in health and i heard this on the radio and really listened to the lyrics and said outloud,"I had no idea Pete wrote these things!" but since then I have listened to "pictures of lily"
• Rock from Chicago, IlThis song was was out before the Who made it popular. I was 14 in 1963 whe I first heard it at a pool hall in Chicago. The kids tell me I'm wrong.
• Mike from Wichita, Ksstarted listening to the who in 1969, best group of leads to ever strike a note. their music is timeless every bit as relavent to this generation as it was to mine squeezebox is just another great song by rocks greatest band of all time
• Tj from Halifax, NsUhmmm yea, Wearing a "squeezebox" on her chest...definately daddy squeezing her tits together and putting his diddling fiddle stick into her make-shift "box" going "in and out and in and out" LOL I know Pete wrote it knowing the double meaning of the lyrics cause he addmitted to it in an interview I watched a few years back.
• Dave from Liverpool, United KingdomI can imagine Townshend reading this thread and pissing himself laughing.
• Gene from San Diego, CaOh your god, this is just like my parents. Everytime I hear this song, I think of Christmas or my moms birthday...
• Ty from Aafaf, Althis song is about sex, it's obvious, the music is probaly mama "moaning and groaning"
• Mike from Boston, MaThe meaning behind "Pictures of Lily" from '67 was pretty straight-forward. Pete wanted to touch on teenage pin-up pictures and masturbation, so why would he hestitate to write about the the woman's gloryparts? The accordion gig seems like a pretty nice coverup to me.
• Cole from Nyc, Ny"Get a grip people. Why must you always think songs must have subliminal and secret messages? The song's lyrical content means just what it means, it's about the mom playing an accordian. Hence why lines like "the kids don't eat and the dog don't sleep, there's no escape from the music in the whole damn street" have nothing to do with sexual references. And thinking the repetitive "in and out" lyrics refer to sex is just stupid considering that that is how you play an accordian. While the song does have the right ingredients to make you think it is about sex, you have to consider what it from the other side too. Keith Moon's drums in the song as always great."
  - Mark, Cincinnati, OH
  
  Um, Mark--the band itself admitted the song contains many innuendos, in the liner notes to "The Who By Numbers."
  
  Perhaps a bit of research, or maybe just a little thought, would be in order before you go around labeling others as stupid.
• Heather from Los Angeles, CaThe banjo in this song makes the tune. It really does. Without the banjo I would not turn this song up. Because I turn it up when I hear the banjo. Long Live Bluegrass.
• Ty from Phillipston, Mait is obviosly about intercourse. they added t=that she wears it on her chest so they could get away with writing it. "the kids don't eat and the dog don't sleep, there's no escape from the music in the whole damn street" is from all the noise mama makes (for obvios reasons
• Burton from Canora, CanadaPete: "Intended as a poorly aimed dirty joke. I had bought myself an accordion and learned to play it one afternoon. The polka-esque rhythm I managed to produce from it brought forth this song. Amazingly recorded by The Who to my disbelief. Further incredulity was caused when it became a hit for us in the USA."
  
  
  
  
  
  
  "Squeeze Box" was originally intended for a Who television special planned for 1974 where the song was to be performed by The Who accompanied by 100 topless lady accordianists! Backed with "Success Story", it was released first in the U.S. November 22nd, 1975 in the middle of the 1975 North American tour. It reached #16 in the Billboard charts and #11 in the Cash Box charts. It also spent 16 weeks in the Billboard Top 100 singles chart, the longest for any Who single. When I saw them play this live in 1975, Pete and Roger rocked their hips back and forth during the "in and out" part leaving no doubt as to the meaning!"
  
  http://www.thewho.net/linernotes/ByNumbers.htm
• Mark from Boston, MaI find myself laughing reading these posts ... trying to figure out who's serious and who's being facetious. While I never stopped (until now) to probe the meaning of the metaphor, it was always pretty obvious to me that this tune is about either sex or masturbation. And I always got a kick out of how overt it is without coming right out and saying it. Who says rockers can't be literary?
• Joseph from Van Nuys, CaPete has succeded in making us wonder what the song is about! I dont care,it sounds great. It is typical Who.
  Joseph, Van Nuys CA
• Joe from Seday, KsPeople. She wears a squeeze box on her chest. Might even be wearing it sideways, on end on hers, one end getting compressed by his, if you have to be technical. But as they're "doing it," it's making a racquet.
  
  Why is she wearing a squeezebox on her chest? Um... dunno. Most women just moan and sigh. Maybe she's mute without it?
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScListen to the song Jim. It's not that simple.
• Traci from Wichita, KsWell, I just heard this song for the first time yesterday in my car. I couldn't believe what I was hearing at first! It's so obvious that it's talking about breasts, especially the tone of the in and out part. It made me blush! I cranked it up. Maybe I'll become a Who fan now!
• Malicious Matt from SquatneyYeah its about bonking and shagging. Gotta love The Who, full of dirty references. Songs about wanking (Pictures of Lily) and now a song about real sex. Great stuff. BTW, ever see the episode of "Freaks and Geeks" where the Weirs listen to "The Who By Numbers"? Funny!
• Renee from South Lyon, Misee they are using the squeezebox thing on her chest as the accordian... then talking about her playing it well... when they are really just layering this hardcore metaphor about momma and poppa getting down and dirty haha. i love the who
• Jim from Philadelphia, PaGet your minds out of the gutter. Momma loves playing the accordian, and daddy obviously likes listening.
• Paul from Marysville, WaMan, I love the guitar (or is it banjo?) in this one!
• Stephen from Bellport, NyShe goes, squeeze me, come on and squeeze me
  Come on and tease me like you do
  I'm so in love with you
  Mama's got a squeeze box
  Daddy never sleeps at night
  
  
  that verse should give it away
• Greg from Huntington Beach, Cathis guy wrapped it up in a few words.
  oh love those breasts!
  here comes a pearl necklace. :)
  
  IMO: This song isn't about vaginal intercourse; it's about the sexual act of the woman squeezing her breasts together while the guy "makes love" to them... that's why momma's got a sqeezebox she wears on her chest. The motion she uses is akin to that of playing an accordian.
  - Vez, State College, PA
  
  
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScI agree. Kim seems to have it right. I didn't think about that as much, but it makes total sense.
• Johnny from Los Angeles, CaI didn't know this was about sex or anything...but now it makes sense. Maybe Townshend is just foolin with us. Kim seems to have it right.......
• Kim from Calgary, CanadaThis song reminds me of a child's interpretation of adult humor. I can picture his dad making a joke about mamma's "squeezebox" that the child overhears and takes literally. Since he thinks dad was talking about the accordion he goes around telling people that "Mama's got a squeeze box, daddy never sleeps at night." Then he exaggerates the rest (as children often do) saying that no one on the street sleeps and he doesn't eat because of it. Too bad he just doesn't get it.
• Nick from New Haven, Ct"Mama's got a Squeeze box she wears on her chest,
  and when Daddy comes home, he never gets no rest"
  
  accordians are played at chest level...
  
  "Cause she's playin' all night,
  and the music's alright.
  Mama's got a squeeze box,
  Daddy never sleeps at night.
  
  Well the kids don't eat
  and the dog can't sleep.
  There's no escape from the music
  in the whole damn street.
  
  'Cause she's Playin' all night,
  and the music's all right.
  Mama's got a squeeze box,
  Daddy never sleeps at night"
  
  obviously lyrics about playing and listening to music
  
  She goes in and out and in and out
  and in and out and in and out.
  
  the action of playing an accordion
  
  She goes, squeeze me, come on and squeeze me
  Come on and tease me like you do
  I'm so in love with you
  Mama's got a squeeze box
  Daddy never sleeps at night
  
  ok, these lyrics are slighttly about sex
• Robb from Wantagh, NyI always thought that this song was about breasts, I believe you are right Joe D. Mainly because, of the line "Mama's got a squeezebox she wears on her chest" how can that be about a vagina?
• Ken from Louisville, KyI always had the impression that Pete Townshend just wanted to write a funny little pop tune, as a break from the rock operas and "statement" songs (like "Won't Get Fooled Again") the group had been doing. It's fun to listen to and well made, but it doesn't really mean anything, IMO.
  
  
• John from Tampa, FlPete gotcha! You all are doing exactly as he wanted you to. That's the pure genius Pete Townshend is. "'Squeeze Box' can be interpreted in any way you please. But knowing human nature they will see this as a song about sex in one form or another. Hell, even the Partridge Family songs can be interpreted wrong. It's all in how you look at it."
• Vez from State College, PaOften, when people write lyrics, they're allegorical. Granted, sometimes the words chosen for lyrics are literal in meaning, but to think that "squeezebox" is just an accordian, in the context of this song, is naive. I don't say this to be mean or harsh. I doubt the Who decided to make a song about somone playing an accordian. Think context, think band history, and then apply it to the song in question. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
• Mark from Cincinnati, OhGet a grip people. Why must you always think songs must have subliminal and secret messages? The song's lyrical content means just what it means, it's about the mom playing an accordian. Hence why lines like "the kids don't eat and the dog don't sleep, there's no escape from the music in the whole damn street" have nothing to do with sexual references. And thinking the repetitive "in and out" lyrics refer to sex is just stupid considering that that is how you play an accordian. While the song does have the right ingredients to make you think it is about sex, you have to consider what it from the other side too. Keith Moon's drums in the song as always great.
• Vez from State College, PaIMO: This song isn't about vaginal intercourse; it's about the sexual act of the woman squeezing her breasts together while the guy "makes love" to them... that's why momma's got a sqeezebox she wears on her chest. The motion she uses is akin to that of playing an accordian.
• Clayton from Blount County, AlWell if Momma has large breasts then yeah she could have a squeeze box (vagina) on her chest...
• Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScWhat an odd song!
• Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScI know what you mean vincent.
• Vincent from St. Davids, EnglandIam still a Virgin, (Iam only 16!), so I dont know how this song relates to the real thing. But this song, has given me a good impression!
• Greg from Asheville, Ncthis song is not mediocre by Who standards (very high standards admittedly). listening to it "The Who Ultimate Collection" (a collection of 37 Who songs in chronological order) you can see it as a return to the earlier off-the-wall-Happy-Jack-Boris-the-Spider Who of the 60s. it may not be their greatest, but, to me, it shows that their the same band.
  i.e. that didn't sell themselves
• Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScI know you don't wear a vagina on your chest, but think about it guys. It has a double meaning. the in-and-out refers to thw squeevebox, or it could refer to sex. The line "Mama's got a squeezebox she wears on her chest' refers to the accordian. Those are just a few examples.
• Shana from Pembroke, Canadalol i heard this song when i was young and never really understood it unitl i got into the who and ive been tryin to figure it out since then, it is a good song tho
• Dereck from Cardiff, WalesI believe the squeeze box is more a metaphor for her playing with her breasts, not anything else. She squeezes them, in and out! Makes more sense to me
• Jonathan from Ann Arbor, Miwell joe, maybe the momma is just very flexible
• Tom from Trowbridge, EnglandI always thought this was about a vibrator, not a vagina. I think it makes more sense that way.
• Paulo from New York, NyOne of my favorite Who songs.
• Penny from Orlando, FlYou don't wear a vagina on your chest....think about it.....
• Nick from San Francisco, Cain and out and in and out and in and out and in and out and in and out...
  
  ...dirty pete.
• Joe D from Hamden, CtThis song also has some things that make you wonder if it is about sex. "Momma's got a squeezebox she wears on HER CHEST" how do you wear a vagina on your chest.
  
  thats all I think of because I just like taking a stand on something against other people :)
• Mason from San Antonio, Txi know, this song is so hilarious!
• Nicoletta from Bronx, Nyi always laugh out loud when i hear this song, it's an impulse, i guess lol. c'mon it's so obvious!

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