The lyrics warn a character named Howard to beware because various parties, including the sun, Russians, government, neighbors, and even his own mother, pose potential threats to him. Howard is portrayed as paranoid and easy to scare.

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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.