One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.
Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).
Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World
[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver
Southern Girls
Cheap Trick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been east to the California beach
There's only one place I know where to find you
And all you Southern girls got a way with your words
And you show it
You say hump and I'll jump
You say go and I'll know
Waste no time getting
And you'll never run way
When you find out why I wanted to find you
Ooh baby need some brand new shoes
Get out on the street
You got nothing to lose
You rock me and your crazy
And everyone says it, yeah yeah
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
I've been up I've been down
I've been weak I've been strong
But I never met someone like you
And you'll never run away
When you find why I wanted to find you
You say hump and I'll jump
You say go and I'll know
Waste no time getting
So close to you
All you Southern girls
Got a way with your words
And you show it
Oh baby need some brand new shoes
Get out on the street
You got nothing to lose
You rock me and your crazy
And everyone says it, yeah yeah
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
You think this boy, he loves you
Southern girls
You make it hard oh, so hard
I've been north, I've been east to the California beach
There's only one place I know where to find you
And all you Southern girls got a way with your words
And you show it
Oh baby need some brand new shoes
Get out on the street
You got nothing to lose
You rock me and your crazy
And everyone says it, yeah yeah
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls
Southern girls
Southern girls
In "Southern Girls", Cheap Trick sings about their love for the women of the South. The lyrics describe the singer's travels around the world, but he can only find the love he seeks among the "Southern girls." These women have a way with words that he finds irresistible. They are bold and direct, saying "hump and I'll jump" and "go and I'll know." The singer wastes no time getting close to these women, and he promises that they'll "never run away" once they find out why he wanted to find them.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the carefree attitude of these Southern girls. They have "nothing to lose" and are unafraid to live life to the fullest. The singer seems to be caught up in their energy, and he describes how they "rock him" and drive him crazy. He revels in their free spirit and implores them to "get out on the street."
Overall, "Southern Girls" is a celebration of Southern women and their unique personality traits. The song suggests that these women are different from those found in other parts of the country, possessing a special brand of confidence and charm.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been north,
I've traveled up above the South,
I've been east to the California beach
I've gone to the Western shore,
There's only one place I know where to find you
But there's only one place I know I'll find someone like you,
And all you Southern girls got a way with your words
You Southern girls are expert communicators,
And you show it
Something about the way you talk highlights this skill,
You say hump and I'll jump
You know how to get me excited and engaged,
You say go and I'll know
You don't need to explain yourself too much, I understand what you mean,
Waste no time getting
We won't let any second slip,
So close to you
I want to be right next to you,
And you'll never run away
You won't get away after I reveal my intentions,
When you find out why I wanted to find you
Because once you know why, you will definitely feel the same connection,
Ooh baby need some brand new shoes
I want to show you I am willing to impress you,
Get out on the street
Let's go out and have fun,
You got nothing to lose
Don't worry about anything, let's just enjoy ourselves,
You rock me and your crazy
You are making me feel alive and you are wild,
And everyone says it, yeah yeah
The way you are is widely recognized and praised,
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
This is just what it means to be Southern girls, to take risks and enjoy life,
I've been up I've been down
I've had my ups and downs in life,
I've been weak I've been strong
I've felt both vulnerable and powerful,
But I never met someone like you
But I've never felt the same way about anyone else I've met,
You make it hard oh, so hard
You make it difficult for me to resist your charms,
Southern girls
This is what it means to be a Southern girl, to be irresistible,
Southern girls
This is what it means to be a Southern girl, to be incredible,
Southern girls
This is what it means to be a Southern girl, to be unforgettable,
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICK NIELSEN, TOM PETERSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith L
Cheap Trick - Southern Girls (Lyrics)
I've been north,
I've been east, to the California beach
There's only one place I know where to find you
And all you southern girls got a way with your words
And you show it
You say hump and I'll jump
You say go and I'll know
Waste no time getting
So close to you
And you'll never run way
When you find out why I wanted to find you
Ooh baby need some brand new shoes
Get out on the street
You got nothing to lose
You rock me and you're crazy
And everyone says it,
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
I've been up, I've been down
I've been weak, I've been strong
But I never met someone like you
And you'll never run away
When you find why I wanted to find you
You say hump and I'll jump
You say go and I'll know
Waste no time getting
So close to you
All you southern girls
Got a way with your words
And you show it
Ooh baby need some brand new shoes
Get out on the street
You got nothing to lose
You rock me and you're crazy
And everyone says it, yeah yeah
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
You think this boy, he loves you
Southern girls
You make it hard, oh so hard
I've been north, I've been east, to the California beach
There's only one place I know where to find you
And all you southern girls got a way with your words
And you show it
Ooh baby need some brand new shoes
Get out on the street
You got nothing to lose
You rock me and you're crazy
And everyone says it
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Writer(s): T. Petersson, R. Nielsen
Copyright: Screen Gems-emi Music O.B.O. Adult Music
chris wilson
absolutely my fav song from Cheap Trick!!!!
Ed Helvey
@John Alex It's about some girls they met after a show in Canada (a southern part of Canada).
John Alex
Know who it's about? Manhattan's "Tunnel Bunnies" from the good ol' days; look 'em up.
dallas lane
pity theres not an official video
Mike The Grunty
This is a very good band that more people should listen to
Mike The Grunty
@Chuck Bruzan that’s cool. When I worked at Best Buy , my friend there said he saw them in the 70’s when bon era AC/DC opened for em. I swear I was born in the wrong decade😂
Chuck Bruzan
This came out in 1977. Saw them a few times in Chicago before this. They have a huge following.
jim catalfamo
this song still rocks me today!!!!
James Roach
This is timeless. Such a great band on all levels. Great voice great riffs and raw power.
AORmadness
Can’t beat this. Power pop at its finest 👌