Girlfriend
The Modern Lovers Lyrics
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Well, first I'd go to the room where they keep the Cézanne
But if I had by my side a girlfriend
Then I could look through the paintings
I could look right through them
Because I'd have found something that I understand
I understand a girlfriend
That's a girl friend
Said G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N
That's a girlfriend, baby
That's something that I understand
Alright
I walk through the Fenway
I have my heart in my hands
I understand a girlfriend
That's a girl friend
Oh, that's a G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N
Well, that's a girlfriend, baby
That's something that I understand, oh
Four o'clock in the afternoon in the Fenway
I have my heart in my hands
I understand a girlfriend
That's a girlfriend
That's G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N
That's a girlfriend, oh baby
Well, that's something that I understand
The Modern Lovers' song "Girlfriend" is a playful and lighthearted love song that centers around the idea of having a girlfriend. Lead singer Jonathan Richman sings about his love for art and how, if he had a girlfriend by his side, he could look through the paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and understand them better. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, emphasizing the importance of having a girlfriend.
The first verse sets the scene for the song, with Richman imagining himself at the Museum of Fine Arts looking at the paintings of French post-impressionist Paul Cézanne. He then switches to the idea of having a girlfriend, saying that she would help him to understand the paintings better. The chorus is a simple spelling out of the word "girlfriend," emphasizing its importance to him. The second verse is a continuation of the first, with Richman walking through the Fenway neighborhood of Boston with his heart in his hands and again emphasizing the importance of having a girlfriend.
The song itself has a bright and upbeat sound, with catchy guitar riffs and a driving rhythm section. It's a prime example of the new wave and punk sound that was popular in the mid-1970s, with stripped-down instrumentation and a focus on simple, catchy melodies. "Girlfriend" is widely regarded as one of The Modern Lovers' most popular and enduring songs and is often included on many "best of" lists of punk and new wave music from the era.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were to walk to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
If I were to take a walk to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
Well, first I'd go to the room where they keep the Cézanne
My first stop would be the room where Cézanne's paintings are displayed
But if I had by my side a girlfriend
However, if I had a girlfriend accompanying me
Then I could look through the paintings
I'd be able to properly admire the paintings
I could look right through them
I could appreciate them more deeply
Because I'd have found something that I understand
Because I would have found someone who understands me
I understand a girlfriend
Having a girlfriend is something I understand well
That's a girl friend
That's a girlfriend
Said G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N
Spelled G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N
Alright
Okay, got it
I walk through the Fenway
I take a walk through the Fenway neighborhood
I have my heart in my hands
I feel very emotional
That's a girl friend
That's a girlfriend
Oh, that's a G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N
Oh, that's spelled G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N
Well, that's a girlfriend, baby
That's a girlfriend, my dear
That's something that I understand, oh
Having a girlfriend is something I comprehend well
Four o'clock in the afternoon in the Fenway
It's four o'clock in the afternoon in the Fenway neighborhood
I have my heart in my hands
I feel very emotional
I understand a girlfriend
Having a girlfriend is something I understand well
That's a girlfriend
That's a girlfriend
That's G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N
That's spelled G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N
That's a girlfriend, oh baby
That's a girlfriend, my dear
Well, that's something that I understand
Having a girlfriend is something I comprehend well
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, MODERN LOVE SONGS
Written by: Jonathan Richman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind