Green attended Emerson College briefly in 1998 before leaving to concentrate on his music, going on to co-found the anti folk group The Moldy Peaches with Kimya Dawson. In 2004 The Moldy Peaches went on hiatus and both Green and Dawson embarked on solo careers.
Green released several albums on Rough Trade Records. Among his better known songs are "Jessica" (about singer Jessica Simpson), "Novotel", "Friends of Mine", "Dance with Me", "Carolina" and "Emily", and, in Britain, his cover of The Libertines track "What a Waster".
Prior to Jacket Full of Danger in 2006, all of Green's albums had been released on the 22nd of the month. His latest album was released on March 18, 2008 and is titled Sixes & Sevens. Titles include "Morning After Midnight", "Twee Twee Dee", and "Drowning Head First", the latter a duet between Green and his girlfriend.
In January 2008, The Moldy Peaches began having a resurgence in popularity, due to their music being included in the hit indie film Juno.
02. hard to be a girl
Adam Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So nice to be a boy
In my room at night
Not a pretty sight
Here's an empty kiss
Marching to the rhythm of the pay roll
I can be a good boy, too
Just let me out of the stable
Sausages and eggs
And hot and sour soup
Thank me for your time
'Cause I can be as bad as you
Hard to be a girl
That's what the oracle told me
I don't care what she says
I assume it's best to be lonely
The lyrics of Adam Green's song Hard to Be a Girl express the artist's discontent with his gender identity. The opening lines of the song convey the message that it is better to be a boy than a girl. In his room at night is not a pretty sight, indicating that the artist is unhappy with his gender predicament. The empty kiss symbolizes a void the artist feels within himself. He is in a way marching to the rhythm of the pay roll, meaning he is conforming to societal gender norms. However, the artist protests that he can be a good boy too if allowed to break free from societal stereotyping.
The artist, then goes on to mention sausages and eggs and hot and sour soup, an oblique reference to traditional gender norms. The next line suggests that the artist is as bad as any man, and that he deserves appreciation for his time irrespective of his gender. The oracle telling the artist that it is hard to be a girl denotes that he is uncertain about his gender identity. The final lines of the song suggest that the artist finds it better to be lonely rather than accept or conform to societal gender norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Hard to be a girl
It's difficult to live as a girl due to societal expectations, gender stereotypes, and limitations.
So nice to be a boy
Boys have more freedom and privilege. Society values and rewards traditional masculine qualities and behaviors.
In my room at night
The singer feels safe and comfortable when alone in their personal space.
Not a pretty sight
The artist's appearance or demeanor may not conform to typical feminine standards and may make them feel unattractive or undesirable.
Here's an empty kiss
The artist recognizes that some physical or emotional interactions may lack genuine authenticity or meaning.
Marching to the rhythm of the pay roll
The singer is acknowledging that societal expectations and demands often dictate their actions and choices, rather than their own personal desires or values.
I can be a good boy, too
The singer suggests that they could conform to masculine expectations and behaviors if necessary or desired.
Just let me out of the stable
The artist desires the freedom to express themselves authentically and pursue their own interests/identity, rather than being confined to predefined roles and expectations.
Sausages and eggs
The artist lists common breakfast foods that may be considered stereotypically masculine.
And hot and sour soup
The artist mentions a food that may be considered stereotypically feminine or associated with Asian cultures.
Thank me for your time
The singer suggests a possible exchange of power or manipulation by offering gratitude for someone's attention or favor.
'Cause I can be as bad as you
The artist is suggesting that they are just as capable of immoral, selfish, or unacceptable behavior as anyone else, regardless of gender.
That's what the oracle told me
The singer may be referencing a mystical or wise source that has imparted knowledge or advice.
I don't care what she says
The singer may not agree with the oracle's advice or may choose to disregard it.
I assume it's best to be lonely
The singer is acknowledging the difficulties and complexity of human relationships and may prefer to avoid them altogether to minimize pain or disappointment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Adam Green
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eric Frostic
Thank you, Don! I just saw, that this picture here is very similar with your profile-picture! Haha, not joking. Are you related to him? That´s funny. If you have a chance to compare those pictures... your teeth look way better though! :) I like his songs and his lyrics sometimes leave me clouded, just like my own lyrics.
BUGS
*second album
the first one was 'Garfield'.
Eric Frostic
haha, could be. i think, he´s got the same fevered mind like you.