Hog Calling Contest

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard's song "Hog Calling Contest" is a surreal and whimsical exploration of ambition, absurdity, and self-acceptance. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and playful metaphors that paint a picture of a fantastical world where pigs can fly and mud is a prized possession. The recurring phrase "When pigs fly" is a well-known idiom used to describe something that is highly unlikely to happen. In this song, however, the band takes this phrase literally, creating a dreamlike scenario where the impossible becomes possible.

The song opens with the protagonist preparing for a journey, putting on lipstick and reveling in the mud. This imagery suggests a sense of contentment and self-acceptance, as the protagonist is happy in their own environment, even if it is unconventional. The mention of "B741" could be a reference to a flight number, symbolizing a journey or a quest for something greater. The protagonist's refusal to accept coins and their pride in their mud-made masterpiece further emphasize their rejection of societal norms and materialism.

As the song progresses, the protagonist's journey becomes more surreal and chaotic. The lyrics mention various idioms and metaphors, such as "hell freezes over" and "the rabbit eats the king cobra," which add to the song's whimsical and unpredictable nature. The protagonist's desire to "woo the sow in the heat" and "wine and dine" a "pearl swine" suggests a longing for connection and companionship, even in the most unlikely of circumstances. The song culminates in a high-flying adventure, with the protagonist experiencing the thrill and fear of taking off on a flight that seems destined to crash. This final imagery captures the tension between ambition and the acceptance of one's own limitations, ultimately celebrating the joy of embracing the absurd and the impossible.