Fronted by Projekt Records' Sam Rosenthal, the band's line-up has changed significantly over time. The current lineup has Rosenthal on programming, guitar and keyboards, Jon DeRosa ( Aarktica) on vocals, and Henrik Meierkord on strings. The most notable former members of the band are Brian Viglione (The Dresden Dolls) on percussion, guitar & bass, and vocalists Athan Maroulis (ex-Spahn Ranch), Nicki Jaine, and long time vocalists, Oscar Herrera & Elysabeth Grant.
The style of Black Tape for a Blue Girl is generally described as "gothic", though their long catalog of music does not often gel with all of the contemporary standards of gothic music over time. The lyrics are by Rosenthal himself and explores powerful emotions of love, vulnerability, isolation, loss, jealousy, and passion.
Overwhelmed beneath me
Black Tape for a Blue Girl Lyrics
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De Stijl
You′re Pretty Good Looking (For A Girl)
Oh yeah youre pretty good looking for a girl
But your back is so broken
And this feelings still gonna linger on
Until the year 2525 now
Your eyes are wide open
And your thoughts have been stolen by the boys
Who took you out and bought you everything you
Want now
Yeah youre pretty good looking
Oh yeah
Youre pretty good looking
Yes youre pretty good looking
Oh yeah
For a girl
Lots of people in this world
But I want to be your boy
To me that thought is sounding so absurd
And I dont wanna be your toy
Cause youre pretty good looking for a girl
My futures wide open
But this feelings still gonna linger on
Until I know everything I need to know now
Yeah youre pretty good looking
Oh yeah
Youre pretty good looking
Yes youre pretty good looking
Oh yeah
For a girl
The lyrics to "You're Pretty Good Looking (For A Girl)" by Black Tape for a Blue Girl have a layered interpretation, addressing themes of gender expectations, objectification, and the complexities of relationships. The song starts by acknowledging the singer's initial attraction to someone, stating, "Oh yeah, you're pretty good looking for a girl." However, it quickly shifts the focus to the person's struggles, as it mentions, "But your back is so broken." This line can be seen as a metaphor for the burdens and challenges they carry, which says that there is more to them than just their appearance.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea that the person has been taken advantage of by others, as it states, "Your thoughts have been stolen by the boys who took you out and bought you everything you want now." Here, the song explores the notion of being objectified and treated as a commodity, where the person's worth is based on material possessions rather than genuine connection.
As the song progresses, it hints at the singer's desire to be more than just a casual observer or a means of temporary gratification. The line, "Lots of people in this world, but I want to be your boy," suggests that the singer longs for a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the person, where they are seen as an individual rather than just another option amongst many. The singer acknowledges the absurdity of their desire, stating, "To me, that thought is sounding so absurd," and expresses their resistance to being objectified by adding, "And I don't wanna be your toy."
Line by Line Meaning
White Stripes
Referencing the band 'White Stripes'
De Stijl
Referring to their album 'De Stijl'
You're Pretty Good Looking (For A Girl)
Acknowledging that the subject is attractive, with emphasis on the fact that it's surprising because they are a girl
Oh yeah you're pretty good looking for a girl
Reiterating the previous line, emphasizing the subject's attractiveness while acknowledging the societal expectations placed on them
But your back is so broken
Acknowledging the subject's emotional pain or burden
And this feeling's still gonna linger on
Recognizing that the emotional impact will persist
Until the year 2525 now
An exaggerated expression suggesting that the emotional impact will last indefinitely
Your eyes are wide open
Indicating that the subject is alert and aware
And your thoughts have been stolen by the boys
Implying that the subject has been influenced or manipulated by male individuals
Who took you out and bought you everything you want now
Highlighting the materialistic nature of the relationships the subject has had
Yeah you're pretty good looking
Reiterating the subject's attractiveness
Oh yeah
Emphasizing the previous statement
You're pretty good looking
Again acknowledging the subject's attractiveness
Yes you're pretty good looking
Affirming the previous statements
For a girl
Stressing that the attractiveness is noteworthy because it goes against traditional gender expectations
Lots of people in this world
Acknowledging the existence of many individuals
But I want to be your boy
Expressing a desire to be the subject's romantic partner
To me that thought is sounding so absurd
Admitting that the idea may not be logical or realistic
And I don’t wanna be your toy
Rejecting the idea of being an object of entertainment or manipulation
Cause you're pretty good looking for a girl
Reiterating the subject's attractiveness and acknowledging the impact it has on the artist
My future's wide open
Expressing a sense of possibilities and potential
But this feeling's still gonna linger on
Recognizing that the emotional impact will persist
Until I know everything I need to know now
Suggesting that closure or understanding is necessary to move on
Yeah you're pretty good looking
Reiterating the subject's attractiveness
Oh yeah
Emphasizing the previous statement
You're pretty good looking
Again acknowledging the subject's attractiveness
Yes you're pretty good looking
Affirming the previous statements
For a girl
Stressing that the attractiveness is noteworthy because it goes against traditional gender expectations
Writer(s): Sam E Rosenthal
Contributed by Hannah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sam Rosenthal
on All my lovers
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