The song "Oh! You Pretty Things" is not by Unknown Mortal Orchestra. It is actually a cover of a song originally written and performed by David Bowie. However, I can provide you with an explanation of the song's meaning and story. "Oh! You Pretty Things" is a track from David Bowie's 1971 album "Hunky Dory." The song explores themes of evolution, societal change, and the emergence of a new superior human race. It can be interpreted as a critique of the stagnation of humanity and a call for progress. The lyrics begin by urging the listener to wake up and face reality. The cracked sky and a hand reaching down symbolize a disruption in the existing order and a new era approaching. The nightmares mentioned imply that this change may be unsettling or frightening. The chorus, "Oh you Pretty Things, don't you know you're driving your Mamas and Papas insane," can be seen as a sarcastic reference to the conservative older generation who are struggling to understand and accept the changes happening in society. The second verse introduces the concept of a "world to come" where books written by the "Golden ones" are found. These books are seen as transformative and full of wisdom, written by someone questioning the purpose of human existence. The bridge, "Let me make it plain, you gotta make way for the Homo Superior," suggests that the current human species (Homo Sapiens) has become obsolete and needs to make room for the next stage of evolution, referred to as the "Homo Superior" (superior humans). In the final verse, Bowie challenges the notion that children are solely the property of their parents, stating that they are the beginning of a new race and do not belong to anyone. The line "The earth is a bitch, we've finished our news" implies that humanity has exhausted its usefulness and needs to make space for the Homo Superior. Overall, "Oh! You Pretty Things" can be seen as a song about the changing times, the emergence of new ideas and perspectives, and the need for humanity to evolve and adapt to the future.
