Kelly Johnson and Denise Dufort later joined and in April 1978 they changed their name to Girlschool.
Their first single Take it all away was released on the City Records label which led to them gaining a Motörhead support slot on the Overkill tour in 1979.
Having signed with Lemmy´s record company Bronze later that year, the band released their first album Demolition in 1980.
After touring Japan in 1982, Enid left and was replaced by Gil Weston of The Killjoys and Girlschool recorded their third album Screaming Blue Murder.
When Kelly left to live in L.A. she was replaced by Cris Bonacci on lead guitar and singer Jackie Bodimead on lead vocals for the 1985 album Running Wild.
After many more line-up changes and releases on various labels, the original bassist/vocalist Enid rejoined the band in 2000, together with Jackie Chambers. In 2002 the band released the 21st Anniversary: Not that Innocent album.
Their 12th and latest output is the re-recorded Hit and Run: Revisited. Girlschool continued to tour Europe and South America in 2011-12 and returned in Japan in 2013. In early 2015, they recorded a new album titled 'Guilty as Sin' with producer Chris Tsangarides, which was released on 13 November 2015. On 30 January 2019, it was announced on the band's website that "Girlschool have parted ways once again with bassist Enid Williams" and that Tracey Lamb would return to replace her.
In 2023, Girlschool, now consisting of Kim McAuliffe on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Denise Dufort on drums, Tracey Lamb on bass and Jackie Chambers on lead guitar have unveiled a video for their new single “Are You Ready?” from their upcoming studio album WTFortyfive?, which will be released on July 28, 2023.
--Discography--
Demolition (1980)
Hit and Run (1981)
Screaming Blue Murder (1982)
Play Dirty (1983)
Running Wild (1985)
Nightmare at Maple Cross (1986)
Take a Bite (1988)
Girlschool (1992)
21st Anniversary: Not That Innocent (2002)
Believe (2004)
Legacy (2008)
Hit and Run - Revisited (2011)
Guilty as Sin (2015)
WTFortyfive? (2023)
Can't Keep a Good Girl Down
Girlschool Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My pleasure machine
My jaguar
C'mon let's make it obscene
I need some bad behavior
Skin touching skin
Looks like I'm lost in love
And trouble again
So c'mon
Get ready
Are you ready for love
'Cos you can't keep a good girl down
Are you ready for love
'Cos you can't keep a good girl down
Keep a good girl down
Engines roar
Hear them growl
Big black panthers
Out on the prowl
So c'mon now to my back seat of leather
We're gonna make it
Shake it up together
So c'mon
Get ready
Are you ready for love
'Cos you can't keep a good girl down
Are you ready for love
'Cos you can't keep a good girl down
Keep a good girl down
So c'mon
To my back seat of leather
So c'mon
Get ready
Are you ready for love
'Cos you can't keep a good girl down
Are you ready for love
'Cos you can't keep a good girl down
Keep a good girl down
The lyrics of Girlschool's song "Can't Keep a Good Girl Down" is about a rebellious woman who is not afraid to play with danger and break societal norms. The singer introduces herself in the beginning as someone who is lean, clean and mean, and own a jaguar, which can be interpreted both as a vehicle or a metaphorical representation of her wild nature. She then invites someone to join her in a risqué adventure, needing some "bad behavior" and indulging in some physical activities with another person, represented by the phrase "skin touching skin." She admits that it may lead to trouble, but she still wants to go for it. The repetition of the phrase "c'mon, get ready" is like a mantra, a call to action, that emphasizes the singer's assertiveness and determination.
The second verse talks about the man who would accompany her in her escapade, described as engines roaring and big black panthers. It emphasizes his similarity to the singer, both wild and powerful, both unafraid to take risks. The climax of the song is when the singer invites the man to her back seat of leather, which can again represent both a literal invitation or a metaphorical representation of the intimacy that they will share. The phrase "shake it up together" is an expression of their mutual desire for excitement and adventure.
In summary, "Can't Keep a Good Girl Down" is a song that celebrates the rebellious spirit of a woman who refuses to conform to societal norms. It is about taking risks, pursuing pleasure, and enjoying the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Lean clean mean
I am strong, focused, and powerful
My pleasure machine
My body is a source of joy and satisfaction
My jaguar
My car is impressive and fast, like me
C'mon let's make it obscene
Let's push the limits and be daring in our actions
I need some bad behavior
I crave excitement and uproarious experiences
Skin touching skin
Physical intimacy is electrifying and intense
Looks like I'm lost in love
I am entranced and captivated by this person
And trouble again
My passionate desires have led me into danger
Are you ready for love
Do you have what it takes to handle my intensity?
'Cos you can't keep a good girl down
I won't be held back or silenced in my pursuit of love and adventure
Engines roar
My car is loud and powerful, just like me
Hear them growl
The sound of my car is intimidating and awesome
Big black panthers
Our cars mirror our wild and untamable personalities
Out on the prowl
We're on the hunt for thrills and excitement
To my back seat of leather
Come get into my car so we can have some fun
We're gonna make it
Together, we will create an unforgettable experience
Shake it up together
We're going to take risks and challenge ourselves
Keep a good girl down
No one can hold me back from living life to the fullest
Contributed by Violet P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.