The album features a monotonous riff-oriented songwriting style that Joshua Homme dubbed "robot rock", similar to the extended jam sessions of his previous band Kyuss.
Regular John
Queens of the Stone Age Lyrics
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Who are you boy?
Bet I know what you're up to
Can I come along
Your home number's on the wall
I just had to call, had to
I'm not the only one
Who will run with a knife
[Chorus]
Open up your eyes
Open up your room
Open up your arms
One six two seven eight
Two six three seven eight nine
Where's your daddy now
I heard he ran away
Who are you girl?
'Cause I'm so bored with myself
Anyway
Any time and any place
I'll just hang around
[Chorus]
One six two seven eight
Two six three seven eight nine
[Chorus]
Open up your eyes
Open up your room
Open up your arms
Open up your door
Open up your eyes
Open up your room
The lyrics of "Regular John" by Queens of the Stone Age seem to be about a person who is bored with their life and seeking some kind of danger or excitement. The chorus asks the listener to open up their eyes, room, and arms - perhaps suggesting a desire for a more open, adventurous attitude towards life. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer is intrigued by a girl and a boy, wondering what they are up to and wanting to join in. The line "I'm not the only one who will run with a knife" may be a metaphor for taking risks or engaging in dangerous behavior.
The bridge of the song adds a sense of melancholy to this otherwise upbeat and energetic track. The singer seems to be reaching out to the girl again, asking who she is and expressing boredom with themselves. The repeated phrase "any time and any place, I'll just hang around" suggests a kind of aimlessness or lack of direction. In the final chorus, the singer asks the listener to open not just their eyes, room, and arms, but also their door - perhaps urging them to take risks and venture out into the world.
Overall, "Regular John" is a song that seems to grapple with the desire for excitement and the fear of boredom, and encourages the listener to live more openly and boldly.
Line by Line Meaning
Who are you girl?
The singer is curious about the identity of the girl.
Who are you boy?
The singer is also curious about the identity of the boy.
Bet I know what you're up to
The singer is confident in their ability to guess what the others are doing.
Can I come along
The artist wants to join in on the activity.
Your home number's on the wall
The artist has found the others' phone number written somewhere.
I just had to call, had to
The singer couldn't resist calling the number.
I'm not the only one
The singer knows they're not the only person interested in the others.
Who will run with a knife
The artist is questioning which one of them is bold enough to take risks.
[Chorus] Open up your eyes Open up your room Open up your arms
The artist is encouraging the others to be open and welcoming.
One six two seven eight Two six three seven eight nine
The artist is reciting a phone number or address.
Where's your daddy now I heard he ran away
The singer is making a reference to the others' past or family situation.
Who are you girl? 'Cause I'm so bored with myself Anyway Any time and any place I'll just hang around
The artist is repeating their earlier question to the girl, and adding that they're bored and willing to hang out anytime, anywhere.
[Chorus] Open up your eyes Open up your room Open up your arms
The singer is repeating their encouragement for the others to be open and welcoming.
One six two seven eight Two six three seven eight nine
The singer is repeating the phone number or address.
[Chorus] Open up your eyes Open up your room Open up your arms Open up your door Open up your eyes Open up your room
The singer is ending the song with a repetition of their encouragement to be open and welcoming, and adding a command to open the door.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH HOMME, ALFREDO HERNANDEZ, JOHN MCBAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind