Cake Like is an all-women indie rock band. Members include Kerri Kenney (ba… Read Full Bio ↴Cake Like is an all-women indie rock band. Members include Kerri Kenney (bassist and lead singer), Nina Hellman (guitarist and vocalist), and drummer Jody Seifert. The band came together in 1993 when Kerri and Nina met at New York University's Experimental Theater Wing, decided to form a band, and were joined by Hellman's roommate Jody. The members had never played music before and so developed their own unique style. Their songs often play out like poetry set to erratic guitar-rock.

They soon attracted the attention of John Zorn who signed the band to his Avant Records label, which released their first LP, Delicious, in 1994. This record came to the attention of Ric Ocasek, formerly of The Cars, who produced their follow-up EP. He then brought the band to the attention of Neil Young, who signed the band to his Vapor Records label for their second and third LPs, 1997's Bruiser Queen, and 1999's Goodbye, So What. The band dissolved in 1999 when Kenney relocated to Los Angeles.

Kerri Kenney is also an actress and has appeared on the TV shows The State, Viva Variety (which she also co-wrote), as the character "Pam" on Ellen, and, most recently, on Comedy Central's Reno 911!. Nina Hellman is also an actress and works in the theatre in New York and appeared in the film "Wet Hot American Summer". Seifert works in the fashion industry.

Billy Boy
Cake Like Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh
Oh
Oh paint me with leopard spots
Hey, why not, if that's your scene
That's cool with me

Oh Billy boy
Oh Billy boy

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy
It's just all about you
It's just all about...

Oh what a day, oh what a day
I think I saw you on TV
Yesterday

Oh what a day, oh what a day
I think I saw you on TV
Yesterday

(I don't like the idea of you breaking down
And I'm the only one who can help you get back on the road again)

Release me
Release me
Release me
Release me

Right on
Oh virtuous one
Right on
Oh virtuous one
Right on
Oh virtuous one
Right on
Oh virtuous one
Right on
How do you like that
How do you like that
Right on
How do you like that

How do you like that
Right on

Overall Meaning

Cake Like's Billy Boy is a upbeat, energetic song that has an underlying message about being comfortable in one's own skin. The first verse urges the listener to embrace their wild side and be painted with leopard spots if that's what they desire. The chorus constantly repeats the name Billy Boy, insinuating that the song is addressed to someone named Billy or perhaps to the concept of the 'ideal' male. The second verse says that the singer saw Billy on TV yesterday, making us wonder if this is a real person or just a symbol for something else. The bridge contains a plea to release the singer from the responsibility of picking Billy up and dusting him off after a breakdown, indicating that Billy is in some kind of trouble. The song concludes with the repeating of the phrase "right on", maybe suggesting that everything is okay and that the message has been received.

Despite its seemingly light and carefree lyrics, Billy Boy has a deeper meaning. It can be interpreted as a commentary on societal expectations of what a man should be, and how those expectations can be limiting and oppressive. The concept of being painted with leopard spots represents embracing individuality and unapologetically being oneself, even if it doesn't fit into the established norms. The repeated plea to release the singer from their duty to save Billy may suggest that it is unfair to put that burden solely on one person, or that it is necessary for Billy to learn to help himself. Overall, the song encourages being true to oneself and rejecting the rigid expectations put upon us.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh
I am expressing excitement and enthusiasm

Oh
I am still expressing excitement and enthusiasm

Oh paint me with leopard spots
I am suggesting that someone paint me with leopard spots because it would be interesting

Hey, why not, if that's your scene
I am OK with it if someone wants to paint me with leopard spots because that is their preference

That's cool with me
I am saying that I do not care and I approve of what someone else wants to do

Oh Billy boy
I am greeting Billy boy

Oh Billy boy
I am still greeting Billy boy

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy
I am expressing surprise and excitement about Billy Boy's presence

It's just all about you
I am saying that everything is focused on Billy Boy

Oh what a day, oh what a day
I am expressing how great the day was

I think I saw you on TV
I believe that I saw you on TV

Yesterday
It was yesterday when I saw you on TV

(I don't like the idea of you breaking down And I'm the only one who can help you get back on the road again)
I do not want you to break down and I am the only one who can help you get back on track

Release me
I am asking to be released

Release me
I am asking again to be released

Release me
I am asking for a third time to be released

Release me
I am asking for a fourth time to be released

Right on
I am expressing agreement and enthusiasm

Oh virtuous one
I am referring to someone as virtuous