I Cut Like a Buffalo Lyrics
Cut like a buffalo,
Stand up like a tower,
Tall,
Then I fall just like a domino,
Do what ever makes you happy,
You should try to take it easy on me,
'Cause I don't know how to take it,
Wake me up when you're broke,
Only if it's broken,
You know I treat you like a joke but you,
Can't tell when I'm jokin',
But the record's not broken,
Is that you chokin'?
Is that you chokin'?
Or are you just jokin'?
Cut like a buffalo,
Wake me up when it's broke,
Just like a woman,
cut a record on my throat,
Then you break me wide open
What ever makes you happy,
But don't take it easy on me,
I'll never take it easy,
Cut like a buffalo,
Stand up tall like a tower,
Then I fall like a domino,
Push it into my skin girl,
I'm a prick when I sin and I,
Know I can't win,
Cut like a buffalo
I love this song, and I really can't wait for the album. Jack White is my freakin hero.
Anyway, about this song, I think it is about being taken seriously. Like, even though he seems almost like a joke, he "cuts like a buffalo," as in he is a force to be reckoned with. This is evident in lines such as "I look like a women but I, cut like a buffalo," and "Don't take it easy on me, I'll never take it easy."
Also, That even when he is being non-serious he is taken seriously. "You know I treat you like a joke, but you don't know when I'm jokin'."
This could be completely wrong, or only part of what it means, but thats what I take from it. Jack White himself said that he loved this song but was afraid to listen to it at the same time, because he was being so honest with himself in this song. I really don't know what he means by that.
Also, I don't get the line, "You cut a record on my throat, but the records not broken." Jack said this summed up everything he is artistically, but I don't get it at all.
@LizardKingJM71 he's just singing about his music career. Maybe it's about the industry, public perception, etc. He may be throwing jabs at Meg White.. a lot of your interpretation is there too. That's why the song is so brilliant.
@LizardKingJM71 he's just singing about his music career. Maybe it's about the industry, public perception, etc. He may be throwing jabs at Meg White.. a lot of your interpretation is there too. That's why the song is so brilliant.
I've been listening to this song non stop (this and "Party In The USA"). I agree with the theme of sexual prowess. The line:
You cut a record on my throat But the record's not broken
This may seem weird but between choking/gagging sounds seem obviously like oral sex. While the Dead Weather are considered "blues/rock/indie/whatever" there were actually comments about how even in "Treat Me Like Your Mother" Jack is rapping his lyrics (not a bad thing). And in rap/hip hop the term "to cut" refers both to sexual intercourse AND scratching on a turntable. When I listen to the song the choking and gagging sounds are mixed to sound like turntable scratching. So I think it's very genius of Jack to turn the term into almost a two-sided coin.
And there's the mondegreen ambiguity with the words "choking" and "joking", as if the woman is not blowing (pardon my French) some "endowed" dude but she's just joking. Like when some women fake orgasms. And by some, I mean "all".
So I think that may clear up the confusion about the "throat" thing.
Overall this struck me as a song about the sexual prowess of a woman AND her musical ability. Like a woman demanding respect (like the lyric: "you better learn to shake hands and treat me like your mother" in "Treat Me Like Your Mother"). Plus if you've seen the music video there's a visual juxtaposition of Jack next to the red-headed belly dancer (probably not of middle eastern descent as she has red hair; also, Jack loves red-headed women).
And then the album is called "Horehound" which is probably a pun. Even though it's a plant or something you don't see any of the other members of the band except Alison Mosshart ("hounding a whore" but I'm not at all calling her a whore).
All that being said, I'm going to listen to this song now.
this is gotta be about fuckin, he sayin he looks like a woman, but cuts like a buffalo, meaning he may not look like it but he'll bring the heat. yall never heard 'get some cut'? then there's the 'is that you chokin? or are you just jokin?' like hes skullin her. real talk. although i do not belive it to be the only meaning, thats wahts great about jack white, is his lyrics are not clear, and open for many interpretations. th
this songs pretty good
My absolute favorite song on the album. I remember reading the same things LizardKing said. Good interpretation, I say. It was the impression I got.
i dont know if theres a lyricsheet in the album or anything like that, so i could be wrong, but ive heard this song a couple times and it sounds to me like:
You know I love you like a woman but I, Cut like a buffalo,
LK makes some good points, but I think Jack White is mostly reflecting on his sexual prowess and ambiguity. The whole song is filled with sexual metaphors and innuendo. The title alone says it all.
Long time lurker, first time caller...
I think frankNbeans is getting closer. perhaps "I" is contraction for "I am"? Then the title could be analogous to either "hung like a horse" or cut as in muscular cut.
At the same time, this seems to be about taking drugs intravenously. "you're a prick with a pin woman - push it in to my skin girl." Am I taking everything to literally?
The line is definitely "you know I look like a women." Jack said that himself in a Spin interview I think. It is entirely possible this is sexual in nature, but the way Jack talked about it, it seems like its got a more serious meaning to it. He has said this is his favorite song he ever wrote. It could have a ton of meanings.
Whatever it is, I would love to sit down with Jack and talk about it. He seems like a really cool and funny guy. (watch the interview with the dead weather on youtube. hilarious.)