Meaning of "Howard Beware" by The Dead Milkmen
The lyrics of "Howard Beware" by The Dead Milkmen seem to depict the character of Howard as a deeply paranoid and fearful individual. The constant warnings to beware suggest that Howard is constantly in a state of anxiety, believing that everyone around him is a potential threat. The references to the sun, Russians, government, neighbors, and even his own mother betray a sense of overwhelming paranoia and mistrust. The lyrics may be critiquing how fear and paranoia can consume a person, isolating them from the world and causing them to see danger in everything. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes how Howard's fear has taken over his life, leaving him in a constant state of hiding and suspicion. Overall, the song could be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting fear and paranoia control one's life.