Meaning of "Nine Bowls of Soup" by They Might Be Giants

The lyrics of "Nine Bowls of Soup" can be interpreted as a playful exploration of the concept of communication, miscommunication, and the idea of unexpected connections. The absurdity of the situation, with the protagonist trying to get one of nine bowls of soup from an ichthyosaur, highlights the barriers that can exist in communication when parties have different priorities or contexts. By revealing that the soup bowls are actually being used as radar dishes to communicate with aliens, the lyrics suggest that unexpected messages and connections can arise from seemingly mundane situations. This could be seen as a metaphor for the importance of remaining open to unconventional means of communication and the potential for new relationships and understanding to arise from unlikely sources. Overall, the song invites listeners to embrace the unknown, the whimsical, and the surprising elements of life, suggesting that meaningful connections and messages can sometimes come from the most unexpected places.