“Telemachus’s Mom” by Overly Sarcastic Productions

Song Details

• Title: Telemachus’s Mom
• Artist: Overly Sarcastic Productions
• Genre: Satirical, Comedy, Musical Parody
• Theme: Classical Mythology (The Odyssey), Humor, Romance, Parody
• Mood: Light-hearted, Humorous, Irreverent
• Language & Style: Casual, Witty, and Playfully irreverent tone using references to Greek mythology and modern pop culture.

Step-by-Step Lyrical Breakdown & Meaning

[Intro]

Telemachus’s mom has got it goin’ on
(woo!)
Telemachus’s mom has got it goin’ on
(yeah!)
Telemachus’s mom has got it goin’ on
(woohoo!)
Telemachus’s mom has got it goin’ on
(gonna marry that lady!)

Interpretation:

• Repetition of “Telemachus’s mom has got it goin’ on” is a playful, upbeat hook drawing on the idea that Penelope, Telemachus’s mother, is an attractive woman. This is a parody of pop culture songs about romance and desire (most notably, the song “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne). The “woo!” and “yeah!” represent an exaggerated, enthusiastic tone, making the whole situation seem ridiculous and funny.

[Verse 1]

Hey there bro Telemachus, heard about your dad
(Heard about your dad)
Penelope must be lonely, now that’s just too bad
(That’s too bad)
So your dad’s not back from the ten-year war?
(The Trojan War)
Well, that’s a shame – I guess
He’s not the king anymore
(King anymore)
And I know it’s a breach of hospitality
But, daddy should have thought of that before
He died at sea
(Yeah!)

Interpretation:

• The verse starts with a mocking tone directed at Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, as the singer points out that Penelope (Telemachus’s mother) is alone. The mention of the Trojan War and Odysseus’s absence serves as a reminder of the long absence of Telemachus’s father, setting the stage for the singer’s desire for Penelope.
• “Breach of hospitality” is a cheeky reference to the concept of xenia (ancient Greek hospitality rules), where guests should be treated well, but here, the singer is proposing a violation of those norms for selfish reasons.

[Chorus]

Penelope is so the queen for me
And I don’t need any oracle to see
Everybody knows that your dad is indisposed
(Or dead!)
So stab a cow or three so I can court Penelope

Interpretation:

• The chorus has the singer declaring that Penelope is his ideal match, and he doesn’t need divine prophecy (oracle) to confirm it—he’s convinced.
• The “stab a cow or three” is a direct nod to ancient Greek rituals, where sacrifices were made to the gods (usually animals like cows) to gain favor or blessings. The singer is suggesting he must perform these actions to win Penelope’s affection, implying rituals of courting in an over-the-top way.
• “Indisposed or dead” humorously addresses Odysseus’s presumed absence, referring to him being either lost at sea or presumed dead, clearing the way for the singer to try to court Penelope.

[Verse 2]

Telly, do you remember how the war began?
(Probably not, cuz you were a baby!)
(The war began)
Menelaus’s wife was with another man
(A lucky man)
Now they’re back together and their love is true
(Oooh, whoa, whoa, whoa)
(It’s oh so true)
Don’t you think your mom
Deserves a love story too?
(Love story too)
And as soon as she’s finished
With her wedding veil
She’ll get a guy too smart to die from straight up
Setting sail
(Woo!)

Interpretation:

• In this verse, the singer continues to mock Telemachus by referencing the origins of the Trojan War, specifically Helen of Troy (Menelaus’s wife) leaving him for Paris. This sets the stage for an ironic comparison: while Helen’s love story had drama and passion, the singer argues that Penelope deserves a similar romantic narrative.
• The line “smart to die from straight up setting sail” is a humorous dig at Odysseus, whose adventures after the Trojan War included surviving many dangerous situations (e.g., the Cyclops, the Sirens). The singer is suggesting that Penelope should find a better man than one prone to dangerous decisions.

[Chorus – Repeated]

• The chorus repeats, reinforcing the desire to court Penelope and emphasizing the mocking attitude toward the mythological setting.

[Bridge]

(Oooh)
(Oooh)
(Oooh)
(Oooh)
(Oooh)

Interpretation:

• The bridge serves as a musical break, with drawn-out “Ooohs” adding to the playful, over-the-top nature of the song. It builds a sense of anticipation before the final chorus and conclusion.

[Final Chorus & Outro]

Penelope is so the queen for me
(So the queen for me!)
She’s all I want and I know she wants me!
(after all, who wouldn’t?)
All I got to do is shoot
This arrow straight and true
I’ll string the bow for free so I can court
Penelope, aaaah~
(Gonna marry-)
Penelope, aaa- AGH!
(Hey, who’s that guy?)
It’s time to win the queen (WH-?! AH! UGH!)
Of that sweet homophrosyne (NOT THE FACE! NOT THE FACE! AH!)
Odysseus is gone, it’s time to marry Telly’s (AGH!) mom!

(Outro)
Hey, you look familiar-! AHH!

Interpretation:

• The singer continues with the same enthusiastic desire for Penelope, adding that she’s all he wants and that he knows she wants him too. There’s a tongue-in-cheek confidence in the lyrics.
• The mention of shooting the arrow and stringing the bow is a direct reference to Odysseus’s test of his bow, which only he can string and shoot. The “AGH!” and sudden interruption suggest that Odysseus has returned unexpectedly, catching the singer off guard, which sets up the comedic ending where the singer realizes his plans to marry Penelope have been thwarted by the return of her real husband.

Meaning of the Song

• “Telemachus’s Mom” is a humorous parody of the Odyssey and the myth of Penelope. The singer adopts the persona of someone who believes he can replace Odysseus as Penelope’s suitor, mocking the greedy, entitled nature of some figures in mythology and pop culture.
• It’s a satirical take on romance, mythology, and heroism, with the singer showing an absurd level of confidence in winning Penelope’s affection despite the fact that her husband, Odysseus, is still alive (or at least presumed to be).
• The song pokes fun at ancient Greek customs, expectations of romance, and over-exaggerated self-importance in a light-hearted manner.

FAQs

1. Who is Telemachus?

• Telemachus is the son of Odysseus and Penelope in Homer’s Odyssey. He is a central character in the story as he grows from a young boy into a man searching for his father.

2. What is the song parodying?

• The song is parodying the story of Penelope’s long wait for Odysseus and the many suitors that try to court her in his absence. It uses modern pop culture references to make light of the seriousness of Greek mythology.

3. What is the significance of the bow and arrow?

• The bow and arrow is a reference to the famous scene in the Odyssey where Odysseus proves his identity by stringing his bow and shooting an arrow through twelve axeheads, something only he could do.

Conclusion

“Telemachus’s Mom” by Overly Sarcastic Productions is a fun and satirical musical parody that reinterprets the classic Greek myth of Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus with a comedic and modern twist. It humorously explores romantic rivalry, misguided confidence, and the absurdity of some mythological figures’ actions. By blending historical references with pop culture humor, the song brings a refreshing and witty take on ancient tales, offering both entertainment and satire for fans of mythology and comedy.