According to Songfacts, Buffalo Tom's name is derived from the band Buffalo Springfield and the first name of the drummer Tom Maginnis. The band epitomized the rise of indie guitar rock in the 1990s, but unfortunately they had only limited commercial success, despite the consistently high quality of their records.
While Buffalo Tom never 'officially' broke up, they took a seven year break, starting around 1999/2000. During that time while singer/guitarist Bill Janovitz and singer/bassist Chris Colbourn worked on solo material and other projects (Bill with his band, The Crown Victoria, Chris with former Fuzzy singer/guitarist Hilken Mancini). Drummer Tom Maginnis took up a day job in publishing.
In 2007 the trio began playing again and released an album of new material, Three Easy Pieces.
As of 2018 they are again active, touring behind their album released 3/2/2018, "Quiet and Peace."
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Good Girl
Buffalo Tom Lyrics
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Momma and Daddy
But I disappointed you
Anyway
I was a poor boy
I even tried so hard
But I didn't even know the words I gotta say
Well the sound of dancing feet on the floor on top of me
As I'm standing in the men's room trying hard not to be seen
Well maybe I can be someone this time
Yeah maybe I could be some other guy
Maybe I, maybe I, maybe I can be someone this time
Maybe I, maybe I, maybe I can be someone this time
I wanna share your
Sweaters and lipstick
Brothers and sisters it's the way it oughta be
I was a good girl
I even tried so hard
But I didnt even know the words Ive gotta say
The lyrics of Buffalo Tom's song Good Girl speak to the idea of trying to be someone you're not in order to please someone else. The singer starts off by acknowledging that they are a "good girl" according to their parents' standards, but they have still managed to disappoint someone. The next verse introduces the idea of the singer trying to be a "poor boy" and trying "so hard" but being unable to articulate the right words.
The most poignant lines of the song come in the bridge, where the singer is overwhelmed by the sound of "dancing feet on the floor" and is "trying hard not to be seen" in the men's room. It's at this point that they express the desire to be someone else, to be "some other guy" and finally feel like they can be themselves. The final verse speaks to the singer's ultimate desire to belong and be accepted by others, to share in their clothes and makeup and be part of a group.
Overall, Good Girl is a song that speaks to the desire to be accepted and loved and the lengths we will go to achieve that acceptance. It's a reminder of the importance of being ourselves and not trying to be someone we're not in order to please others.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a good girl
I am a well-behaved girl
Momma and Daddy
My parents
But I disappointed you
But I let you down
Anyway
Regardless
I was a poor boy
I was helpless
I even tried so hard
I tried my best
But I didn't even know the words I gotta say
But I didn't know what to say
Well the sound of dancing feet on the floor on top of me
I hear people dancing above me
As I'm standing in the men's room trying hard not to be seen
As I hide in the men's room trying not to be noticed
Well maybe I can be someone this time
Maybe I can change who I am
Yeah maybe I could be some other guy
Maybe I could become someone else
Maybe I, maybe I, maybe I can be someone this time
Perhaps, just perhaps, I can transform
I wanna share your
I wish to share your
Sweaters and lipstick
Sweaters and lipstick
Brothers and sisters it's the way it oughta be
Brothers and sisters should share everything
I was a good girl
I was well-behaved
I even tried so hard
I made an effort
But I didnt even know the words Ive gotta say
But I lacked the right words to say
Contributed by Colin H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.