They are best known for their singles "Girl All The Bad Guys Want" in 2002 on Drunk Enough to Dance which was nominated for a 2003 Grammy Award for "Best Pop Performance by a Group or Duo" and "1985" (originally written by Mitch Allan of SR-71) in 2004 on A Hangover You Don't Deserve. Speaking with Songfacts about "Girl All The Bad Girls Want" in a 2010 interview, Reddick said: "'Girl All The Bad Guys Want' was my very first co-write ever, and me and Butch Walker sat in a room and literally wrote that song in 30 minutes. I mean, it was done."
The band's name is derived from comedian Steve Martin's "Bowling for Sh*t" routine from his 1978 comedy album, Wild and Crazy Guy, itself a reference to Bowling for Dollars. Jaret Reddick has also stated that at the end of his last performance with his old band one of the members came on stage and proclaimed "Come back next week when we play with our new band... BOWLING FOR SOUP!". This was supposed be to be joke name, but since they couldn't think of anything better the name stuck. Their single '1985' can be found on the UK and the Norwegian editions of Singstar Rocks for the PS2.
They have also became hits on Radio Disney with edits of "1985", "Punk Rock 101", "High School Never Ends", and the inclusion of their version of "I Melt With You" in the Disney movie "Sky High". They have also written and recorded "Today is Gonna Be a Great Day" as the theme song for Disney's "Phineas and Ferb"
Band Lineup:
Jaret Reddick - Lead Vocals/guitar
Chris Burney - Guitar/vocals
Erik Chandler - Bass/vocals
Gary Wiseman - Drums
Psycho
Bowling for Soup Lyrics
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that we would meet just as friends
and now i just can't seem to get my story through
if i'd known all about this then
i wouldn't have said the things I said
im left now with a problem
what to do
exactly the way i feel
i can't seem to find the words to show what i know is real
and if she calls me on the phone
wont you tell her im not home
just say ive gone so very far away
if she asks when ill return
tell her that you have not learned
and that i might have plans to stay
cuz i can't seem to tell her
exactly the way i feel i
can't seem to find the words to show what i know is real
i can't seem to tell her
exactly the way i feel
i can't seem to find the words to show what i know is real
here she comes again
this time surrounded by her friends
do i pretend that i dont see her or say hi
she asks me if im free
i said i would if it was up to me
and pray she sees the truth behind my lie
cuz i can't seem to tell her
exactly the way i feel
i can't seem to find the words to show what i know is real
i can't seem to tell her
exactly the way i feel
i can't seem to find the words to show what i know is real
The lyrics of Bowling for Soup's song "Psycho" describe a situation where the singer has feelings for a woman but is unable to confess them. He had previously told her that they would only be friends, but now his feelings have changed. However, he finds it difficult to express these feelings, and as a result, he comes up with various excuses and lies to avoid telling her the truth.
The singer is conflicted between the fear of rejection and the desire to be honest with his feelings. He contemplates running away and pretending that he is not home when she calls. He also considers lying to her and saying that he may have plans to stay away for a while. When he finally sees her again, he is nervous and unsure of whether to pretend he hasn't seen her or say hi. When she asks if he is free, he lies and says he would if it was up to him.
Overall, the lyrics of "Psycho" reflect the difficulties and complexities of relationships and the fear of vulnerability and rejection. It highlights the importance of being honest and true to one's feelings, even though it can be difficult.
Line by Line Meaning
I told you time and time again that we would meet just as friends
I repeatedly mentioned that we were only going to meet as friends
and now i just can't seem to get my story through
But now it seems like I can't make her understand my true intentions
if i'd known all about this then i wouldn't have said the things i said
If I had known how complicated it would become, I would have been more careful with my words
im left now with a problem what to do
Now I'm stuck with a problem that I don't know how to solve
and if she calls me on the phone wont you tell her im not home
If she calls me on the phone, don't let her through to me
just say ive gone so very far away
Tell her I'm not around, that I'm really far away
if she asks when ill return tell her that you have not learned
If she wants to know when I'm coming back, tell her that you have no idea
and that i might have plans to stay
And suggest that I might be gone for a while, or have no intention of coming back
here she comes again this time surrounded by her friends
She's coming back again, and this time she's with her friends
do i pretend that i dont see her or say hi
Should I ignore her completely, or say hello?
she asks me if im free i said i would if it was up to me
She asked if I was free and I said I would be if it was my decision
and pray she sees the truth behind my lie
And hope that she can see the true feelings behind my half-hearted answer
cuz i can't seem to tell her exactly the way i feel
I just can't seem to express my true feelings to her
i can't seem to find the words to show what i know is real
I can't seem to find the right words to convey what I really feel
i can't seem to tell her exactly the way i feel
It's difficult for me to express my true feelings to her
i can't seem to find the words to show what i know is real
I can't seem to articulate what I really feel
Contributed by Christopher G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.