When
Dreamboats & Petticoats Lyrics

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Boys cry when no one can see them
When no one can see them cry
No one can see them cry

Boys cry when their hearts are broken
When their hearts are broken by
Someone who says "Goodbye"

When a boy gets hurt by a girl
His feelin's he will hide
When he acts tough, sure enough
It's a sign he's soft inside

Boys cry when no one is near them
When no one can hear them cry
No one can hear them cry

Don't you know how it hurt when you let me go
Did you think I'd forget that I loved you so
Didn't you know that

Boys cry when no one can see them
When no one can see them cry
No one can see them cry

When a boy gets hurt by a girl
His feelin's he will hide
When he acts tough, sure enough
It's a sign he's soft inside

Ooh, boys cry when no one is near them
When no one can hear them cry
No one can hear them cry

Boys cry when their hearts are broken

When their hearts are broken by
Someone who says "Goodbye"

Overall Meaning

The song "Boys Cry" by Dreamboats & Petticoats is an emotional ballad that speaks about a common perception in society that boys do not cry, but in reality, they do. The song highlights the idea that boys do not cry in front of others, but when they are alone, they break down and express their emotions. The lyrics suggest that boys cry when their hearts are broken, and they hide their feelings when they are hurt by someone they love, especially when they get hurt by a girl who says goodbye. The song states that when a boy acts tough, it is not because he is not affected, but because he is soft inside.

The song portrays the message that crying is a natural process and that boys should not be ashamed of shedding tears. The lyrics encourage boys to express their feelings and not to suppress them. The song's simple yet powerful message is to break down cultural barriers and stereotypes that have prevented boys from expressing emotions as freely as girls. The lyrics implore boys to embrace their vulnerability and share their feelings with others.

Line by Line Meaning

Boys cry when no one can see them
Boys will only cry when no one is around to watch them cry.

When no one can see them cry
Boys do not want anyone to see them cry.

No one can see them cry
Boys do not want to be witnessed crying.

Boys cry when their hearts are broken
Boys will cry when their hearts are broken from a breakup.

When their hearts are broken by
Boys cry only when their heart is broken by a girl.

Someone who says "Goodbye"
When a girl says goodbye, boys' hearts break and cry.

When a boy gets hurt by a girl
When a girl hurts a boy's feelings, he will not want to show it.

His feelin's he will hide
Boys won't show their feelings when they're hurt by a girl.

When he acts tough, sure enough
When he pretends to be tough, it is a signal that he is actually quite vulnerable inside.

It's a sign he's soft inside
When a boy pretends to be tough, it is a sign that he is actually sensitive within.

Boys cry when no one is near them
Boys only cry when they're completely alone.