No, you won't find their picture gracing the cover of their album. Their sweaters hold as much appeal as their faces do. What you will find however is a collection of songs that cover all the bases of the great potential of indie rock (whatever that means anymore).
BFW appreciate the irony of They Might Be Giants, the dire lyrical nature of The Eels, and the melodic sweetness of Elvis Costello. Why must a band only encompass one version of that vague idea that is pop music? BFW understands that labels, managers, bookers, and indeed the listening public would much prefer a band that stuck to one thing and repeated themselves into oblivion. This is why BFW is destined for failure. The inclusion of jazz voicings, Beach Boy harmonies, and Latin rhythms is only a sliver of the variety the band plans on exploring on future releases.
The band is aware that to reach people in a more signifcant way, they must exclude a large portion of their potential audience, much in the same way the Pixies and The Velvet Underground have done. You either love those bands or you have never heard of them. BFW falls into that category. In the years to come, they are looking forward to excluding as many people as possible.
Courage
Beware Fashionable Women Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm intimidated by everyone I meet
I see my shadow and goddamn it scares me
I'll just look down at my feet
But competition derails my train of thought
Cause it reminds me of everything I'm not
Close to the ground and wide on all sides
But you'll be so impressed with my courage
You'll think that I am so brave
But every now and then I feel like superman
I wear my underwear on the outside of my pants
And they still fit me because I haven't grown this year
I have the chalk lines on my mirror
But when I wake up I put a diaper on my face
Cause I've realized that I've got shit for brains
My lips betray me, my eyes cannot disguise
All the emptiness they hide
But you'll be so impressed with my courage
You'll think that I am so brave
The courage to be some one else
Is somewhere deep inside myself
The courage to find happiness is in me
The courage to be some one else
Is somewhere deep inside myself
The courage to find happiness is in me
The courage to be some one else
Is somewhere deep inside myself
The courage to find happiness is in me
But you'll be so impressed with my courage
You'll think that I am so brave
You'll be so impressed with my courage
You'll think that I am so brave
The lyrics to Courage by Beware Fashionable Women convey a sense of insecurity and self-doubt, juxtaposed with a desire to be brave and courageous. The singer is intimidated by everyone they meet, and even their own shadow scares them. They feel like they don't measure up to others, but they still try to project an image of courage in order to impress those around them.
The second verse introduces a note of whimsy, with the singer imagining themselves as Superman wearing their underwear outside their pants. However, this lightheartedness is quickly replaced by a sense of self-loathing - the singer puts a diaper on their face because they feel like they have "shit for brains." The final verse brings the song full circle, with the singer acknowledging that the courage they seek is within themselves, and that they have the power to be happy and to be true to themselves.
Overall, the song seems to be about the struggle to find confidence and courage in oneself in the face of societal expectations and one's own insecurities. The singer is caught between wanting to impress others and wanting to be true to themselves, and they grapple with these conflicting desires throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I wonder why I can't walk down the street
I am experiencing social anxiety and cannot easily go outside among other people.
I'm intimidated by everyone I meet
When I do venture outside, I feel overwhelmed and overpowered by the presence of others.
I see my shadow and goddamn it scares me
Even in the absence of other people, I am haunted by a sense of inner dread and fear.
I'll just look down at my feet
To try and cope with my anxiety and fear, I avoid eye contact and focus on the ground.
But competition derails my train of thought
When faced with even more intense and stressful situations, like competition, I become unable to think clearly or act effectively.
Cause it reminds me of everything I'm not
Competing with others brings up feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth.
Close to the ground and wide on all sides
I feel physically vulnerable and exposed, like I am small and easily dominated.
Glasses on my face and a tear in my eye
I wear glasses, which may indicate a need for correction in my vision, and have an underlying sadness or pain that is not typically visible to others.
But you'll be so impressed with my courage
Despite all of these struggles, I want to show that I am brave and capable to others.
You'll think that I am so brave
I desire external validation and acceptance, hoping that others will see the bravery in me that I may not be able to see myself.
But every now and then I feel like superman
Despite all of my anxieties and doubts, there are moments when I feel invincible and fearless.
I wear my underwear on the outside of my pants
This is a whimsical and comical reference to superhero culture, indicating a desire to be powerful and bold like a superhero.
And they still fit me because I haven't grown this year
I cling to childish things and fantasies because they make me feel safe and comfortable, even though I am aware that I need to adapt and grow as a person.
I have the chalk lines on my mirror
This is a reference to the outline of a dead body that might be drawn on the ground. It suggests a desire to confront the fear of one's own mortality and vulnerabilities.
But when I wake up I put a diaper on my face
This is another comical reference, illustrating the absurdity of trying to hide one's face behind a diaper as a form of protection or defense.
Cause I've realized that I've got shit for brains
This is a crude way of expressing self-doubt and a sense of being inadequate intellectually.
My lips betray me, my eyes cannot disguise
Even when I try to hide my true feelings, my body language and expressions give me away.
All the emptiness they hide
Underneath my attempts at humor and bravado, there is a deep sense of emptiness and loneliness that I struggle to confront.
The courage to be some one else
True courage involves being able to authentically express oneself and take risks.
Is somewhere deep inside myself
I need to look within myself to find the strength and resilience to be my true self.
The courage to find happiness is in me
Happiness is not something that can be found outside oneself, but must be cultivated from within.
Contributed by Alice D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.