☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are a dialogue about a lost friend or colleague named Larry.
- The use of humor and laughter could indicate that the characters are trying to cope with Larry's death or celebrate his life.
- Larry is described as 'the big bite that's been taken', a commonly used metaphor for death.
- 'He's got his own little piece of heaven now' implies that Larry has passed away and the speakers believe he is now in a better place.
- The initial question 'What's become of all the fun in the world?' could represent a nostalgic reflection on the past and the times with Larry.
Interpretation
The lyrics of 'What ever happened to all' by
Frank Zappa are more of a short dialogue than a traditional song lyrics. It seems that the characters are mourning a lost friend or colleague named Larry, who 'took the big bite', which is often used as a metaphor for death. The laughter and casual tone could indicate that they are trying to cope with the situation by using humor or that they are celebrating Larry's life rather than mourning his death. The words 'He's got his own little piece of heaven now' confirm that Larry has passed away and the speakers believe he is now in a better place. The initial question 'What ever happened to all the fun in the world?' could be a nostalgic reflection on the past, perhaps at the time when Larry was still alive. Overall, the text seems to be a mix of sadness, humor, and nostalgia.