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Platypus Wow

From Deep Sea Vents (album), 2024

Platypus Wow features: Bruce Hornsby (piano, vocals), Alex Sopp (flute), Hideaki Aomori (clarinet), C.J. Camerieri (trumpet), Rob Moose (violin), Nadia Sirota (viola), Gabriel Cabezas (cello), Branford Marsalis (soprano sax)

From BruceHornsby.com

“Dipping horns and slashing strings become the prompt for a quasi-rap, detailing the life and eccentricity of the egg-laying mammal.”

Context:

Platypus

Platypus Wow by Bruce Hornsby
Platypus Wow

The platypus is a curious combination of a duck’s bill, a beaver’s tail and an otter’s feet. (“Got webbed feet, rubber bill / Fat-ass tail, furry chin”). It has no teeth, so it defends itself by pricking with the spurs in its heels and then injecting venom (“I’ll stick that ass with my poison spur”). The platypus is biofluorescent, meaning its fur glows a bluish-green hue under ultraviolet light. (“I”m aglow, why no-one knows / I’m not sure myself / I fluoresce, I shine”). It shares 82 percent of its genes with the human, mouse, dog, opossum and chicken.

It inhabits the estuaries and billabongs of Australia (venturing no further) and occupies a place on the Australian 20 cent coin. 

More details: Wikipedia

Platypus Wow meaning

Platypus Wow” is an exploration of identity and individuality. Through the lens of the unique and curious animal, the platypus, Bruce celebrates the beauty of being different, creating a lively reflection on self-acceptance and the wonder of life.

The platypus: A symbol of uniqueness

The platypus itself is a fitting symbol for the song’s themes. As a mammal that lays eggs and possesses features from various species, the platypus embodies a blend of characteristics that challenge conventional classifications. “Part human, part bird, part beaver, reptile nerd” illustrate this amalgamation, highlighting the absurdity and beauty of being multifaceted. The mention of “poison spur” refers to the male platypus’s ability to deliver venom through spurs, adding to the creature’s uniqueness.

Crash Bandicoot and Knuckles the Echidna

Crash Bandicoot is a well-known video game character who, like the platypus, resides in Australia. Knuckles the Echidna, another character from the gaming world, adds to the theme of unusual creatures. The echidna and the platypus are the only living mammals who lay eggs. These references connect the platypus to a broader cultural context, illustrating the interconnectedness of oddities in nature and fiction.

With lines such as “fat-ass tail” and “I’m weird just like you”, “Platypus Wow” invites the listener to embrace their quirks and celebrate individuality. “Pusillanimous”, meaning lacking courage or determination, contrasts with the vibrant identity the platypus represents. The dismissal of the term underscores the message that embracing one’s uniqueness is a strength, not a weakness.

Fluorescence and self-expression

The mention of fluorescence (“I fluoresce, I shine”) points to a vibrant inner life and the ability to stand out. Biofluorescence, the phenomenon where organisms emit light, serves as a metaphor for self-expression and authenticity. “I light up the world, only for you” implies a desire to share one’s true self with others, reinforcing the theme of connection through individuality.

Platypus Wow” is a celebration of uniqueness and individuality, using the platypus as a symbol of the joy found in being different and encouraging the listener to embrace their quirks and celebrate their identities. The song resonates with anyone who has felt out of place, reinforcing the idea that strangeness can be a source of strength and beauty in the tapestry of life.