Their self-released debut album, Remember Who I Am, sold 5,000 copies before it was re-released by Daemon Records, the independent record label run by Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls. Their folk-rock musical style is heavy on close harmony.
Before the three came together as Girlyman, Nate was an award-winning singer-songwriter, and Doris and Ty (best friends since second grade in Princeton Junction, NJ) were the award-winning duo The Garden Verge. Later, they played and clicked with old friend, JJ, gagged her, and threw her in the Girlyvan.
Members:
Ty Greenstein (vocals, guitar, mandolin and percussion)
Doris Muramatsu (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin and banjo)
Nate Borofsky (vocals, baritone guitar, bass guitar)
JJ Jones (drums)
Young James Dean
Girlyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They locked me in once with the materiel
I was full of a rage no one could handle
I was a private in the army
All the real girls with their backs turned called me crazy
Called me crazy
I worked for a while at a diner
Said I was part of the problem
But I was in love with that blond girl
She kissed me twice behind the counter
But when I asked her to get into my car
She called her man, said 'don't bother her'
She called her man, said 'don't bother her'
I guess I'll feel less than real all my life
With these feathers I made
Under me lifting me up
But I was a young James Dean
With a way with ladies
All the real boys in their black jeans called me crazy
Called me crazy
Called me crazy
Called me crazy
The lyrics to Girlyman's song "Young James Dean" paint a picture of a troubled young man struggling with his place in society. The first verse describes his time in the army, where he was apparently seen as an outcast by his female peers, who called him crazy. The second verse finds him working at a diner, where he's attracted to a blond girl but ultimately rejected by her when she calls her boyfriend to come intervene. Throughout the song, he's referred to as a young James Dean, a reference to the iconic actor known for his rebellious image and early death.
The chorus of the song is a repeated refrain of "called me crazy," which seems to suggest that the singer is struggling with mental health or societal expectations that he can't meet. The bridge of the song takes a more philosophical tone, with the singer reflecting on his life and the feathers he's made, presumably as a reference to his own attempts at flying, both metaphorical and literal.
Overall, the song paints a vivid portrait of a young man struggling to find his place in the world and make sense of his own identity. It touches on themes of mental health, societal pressure, and the struggle to connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
In the back of a camouflage truck
I was taken away in a disguised vehicle for some mysterious reason.
They locked me in once with the materiel
I was confined along with some kind of equipment or weapon.
I was full of a rage no one could handle
I was extremely angry and uncontrollable, beyond anyone's ability to manage or calm me down.
I was a private in the army
I was a low-ranking soldier in the military.
All the real girls with their backs turned called me crazy
The other women ignored me or rejected me, and thought I was insane.
Called me crazy
They repeatedly labeled me as unstable or deranged.
I worked for a while at a diner
I was employed as a server in a restaurant.
Manager said I had to wear that little uniform
The boss insisted that I put on a small outfit for work.
Said I was part of the problem
The manager indicated that I was contributing to some kind of issue or dilemma.
But I was in love with that blond girl
I had romantic feelings for a particular blonde woman.
She kissed me twice behind the counter
The woman showed me some affection while we were working together.
But when I asked her to get into my car
I requested that she join me in my vehicle.
She called her man, said 'don't bother her'
She telephoned her significant other and instructed him not to allow me to bother her.
I guess I'll feel less than real all my life
Perhaps I will always have a sense of being less genuine or sincere than others.
With these feathers I made
These soft objects I fashioned.
Under me lifting me up
Beneath me, providing some elevation or support.
But I was a young James Dean
I was like the famous actor and icon James Dean, especially while I was young.
With a way with ladies
A particular talent or charm around women.
All the real boys in their black jeans called me crazy
The other men, who were more authentic or genuine, thought I was foolish or unstable.
Called me crazy
They frequently branded me as irrational or insane.
Called me crazy
They repeatedly labeled me as unstable or deranged.
Called me crazy
They repeatedly labeled me as unstable or deranged.
Called me crazy
They repeatedly labeled me as unstable or deranged.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ghoulardi231
This is an AWSOME song, a close friend of mine turned me onto Girlyman, I'm so glad she did. Oh yea, Thanks Amy Ray.
@SarahJonestoo
Awesome. Thanks for posting this.
@torturedbeacon
this video makes me so happy. it personifies the song so darn well and makes me smile inside!!! my love for girlyman and the op men all in one-SWOON :)
@flicka16
wow!!!
@HeliosKou
this vid is kick ass...id love to see one to speechless
@lookwhatidid312
Is that Madison Young I see in there? ... holy shit, I watch too much porn. Also: AMAZING VIDEO IS AMAZING.