Franz Ferdinand is a Scottish rock band that formed in Glasgow, Scotland, U… Read Full Bio ↴Franz Ferdinand is a Scottish rock band that formed in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, in 2002 and played an important part in the post-punk revival of the 2000s. The band was composed of Alex Kapranos (lead vocals and guitar), Bob Hardy (bass guitar), Nick McCarthy (rhythm guitar, keyboards and backing vocals) and Paul Thomson (drums, percussion and backing vocals) until 2016 when McCarthy left them. The next year Julian Corrie (keyboards, synthesiser, guitar and backing vocals) and Dino Bardot (guitar and backing vocals) joined the band. As of October 2021, Audrey Tait (drums) has replaced Paul Thomson, after he amicably separated from the band.

The band first experienced chart success when their second single "Take Me Out" reached #3 in the UK Charts, followed by their debut album Franz Ferdinand which entered the UK album chart at #3. The band went on to win the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and two BRIT Awards in 2005 for Best British Group and Best British Rock Act. NME named Franz Ferdinand as their Album of the Year. From the album, three top-ten singles were released, "Take Me Out", "The Dark of the Matinée" and "This Fire". The band has also received several Grammy Award nominations.

The band is named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination was one of the main reasons for the start of the First World War. The band decided on the name after seeing a racehorse named Archduke Ferdinand win the Northumberland Plate in 2001, eventually coming to the decision as the alliteration and sound of the name appealed to them.

- Discography
Franz Ferdinand (2004)
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Blood; Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013)
FFS (2015) (Collaborative album with the band Sparks)
Always Ascending (2018)
Hits to the Head (2022)

203 This Boy
Franz Ferdinand Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It seems this boy's bathed in ridicule
Too forward, way too physical
It's time that I had another
I'm always wanting more, if there's another one
Give me some more, I'll have another one
I'll have a slice of your mother

This boy's so spectacular

Not a boy, but a wealthy bachelor
I want a car, I want a car, yeah
I want a car, I want a car, yeah

I see losers losing everywhere
If I lose I'll only lose the care
That I might have for another
I am complete, invincible
If I have a one principle
Then it's to stand at you, brother

And this boy's so spectacular
Not a boy, but a wealthy bachelor
I want a car, I want a car, yeah
I want a car, I want a car, yeah
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna
I wanna, wanna, wanna wanna, wanna, wanna, wanna, wanna
Wanna, wanna, wanna, wanna, wanna, wanna, wanna

I want a car, I want a car, yeah
I want a car, I want a car, yeah

If I like cocaine, I'm racing you
For organic fresh Echinacea
One kick's as good as another
If I'm tired, I'm tired of telling you
I'm never tired, I'm always better than you
Bye boy, run to your mother

And this boy's so spectacular
Not a boy, but a wealthy bachelor
Oh yes, I am spectacular
Not a boy, but a wealthy bachelor
I want a car, I want a car, yeah
I want a car, I want a car, yeah

I want a car, I want a car, yeah

I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Franz Ferdinand's song "This Boy" are about a wealthy and entitled man who is constantly seeking more pleasure and material possessions. He is confident in his own abilities and status, and looks down upon those who are "losers." He is also willing to engage in destructive behaviors like drug use in order to maintain his sense of superiority.

The first verse sets the tone for the song, with the singer commenting on how this boy is constantly ridiculed for being too physical and forward. However, the singer admits that they themselves want more, and are always looking for another way to indulge themselves. The line "I'll have a slice of your mother" is particularly controversial, as it is interpreted by some as a sexual reference.

In the chorus, the singer expresses their desire for a car, repeating the phrase "I want a car" multiple times. This reflects the materialistic and shallow mindset of the singer, who sees wealth as the ultimate measure of success and happiness. The second verse continues this theme, with the singer commenting on how they are superior to others and have a stronger sense of purpose.

Overall, the lyrics of "This Boy" paint a picture of a privileged and selfish man who is obsessed with his own pleasure and status. While the song may be satirical, it is a scathing critique of the excesses and superficiality of modern society.

Line by Line Meaning

It seems this boy's bathed in ridicule
This guy seems to be a victim of constant mockery and is criticized all the time

Too forward, way too physical
He is being criticized for being too upfront and overly touchy

It's time that I had another
He is looking for a new source of excitement or adventure, as he is always craving more

I'm always wanting more, if there's another one
He never seems to be satisfied and is always on the lookout for another thrill or experience

Give me some more, I'll have another one
He is willing to keep going and experiencing new things, and is not content with where he is in life

I'll have a slice of your mother
He is willing to take whatever he can get, no matter how inappropriate or offensive it may be

This boy's so spectacular
He believes he is an amazing and impressive individual

Not a boy, but a wealthy bachelor
He sees himself as a successful and wealthy adult male, and not just a young boy

I want a car, I want a car, yeah
He desires material possessions and expresses his desire for a car multiple times

I see losers losing everywhere
He observes those he deems as unsuccessful failing in various aspects of their lives

If I lose I'll only lose the care
He does not care about losing, as he believes he is superior and better than others

That I might have for another
He does not have any care or concern for anyone else but himself

I am complete, invincible
He believes himself to be untouchable and unbeatable

If I have a one principle
If he has one guiding belief or value

Then it's to stand at you, brother
It is to stand up against anyone who challenges or comes against him, using the term 'brother' to imply a bond with others in a similar position

If I like cocaine, I'm racing you
He is willing to do anything to stay ahead, even resorting to drug use and competition with others

For organic fresh Echinacea
He is willing to spend money and prioritize his health in order to maintain his superiority

One kick's as good as another
He is willing to try anything, regardless of risk or consequence, to stay on top

If I'm tired, I'm tired of telling you
He is done with explaining or justifying himself to others, as he feels he is above them

I'm never tired, I'm always better than you
He believes he is always superior and better than those around him, regardless of how he may actually feel physically or emotionally

Bye boy, run to your mother
He feels he is better than and does not have time for those who cannot keep up or challenge him, and dismisses them with a condescending statement

Oh yes, I am spectacular
He reiterates his belief in his own impressive nature

I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want
He is emphatic about his wants and desires, and will not stop until he gets what he wants

I want a car, I want a car, yeah
He repeats his desire for material possessions, using a car as an example

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER PAUL KAPRANOS HUNTLEY, NICHOLAS JOHN MCCARTHY, PAUL ROBERT THOMPSON, ROBERT HARDY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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