Although originally consisting of a total of 3 cassettes, the most common version of the Girly Sound tapes that circulated among Phair's fans was an incomplete 2 disc compilation of songs from all 3 tapes released on the "Bliss and Phetish" bootleg label. An earlier bootleg compilation of Girly Sound material, "Secretly Timid", was also released. Early in 2006, mp3s of first generation copies of the first 2 tapes were introduced via Phair's online community, bringing to light the original track listing, correct song names, and album titles and more importantly introducing a number of songs that did not appear on the previous Girly Sound bootlegs. The third Girly Sound tape and information of its complete contents remains elusive.
Hello Sailor
Girlysound Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hello, sailor, buy you a drink?
Hello, sailor, tell me what do you think?
How was the big beach, how was the sand?
Did you fly an aeroplane, did you get a tan?
How does it feel to be back on American soil, hearing no blood for oil?
Hello, sailor, tell me what do you think?
Hello, sailor, will we get him next week?
I'm telling you, you should have known
That I'm a little despot, short and stout
Here is my handgun, here is my crowd control
When you tick me off then the bullets fly out
Because free love is a whole lot of bullshit
Free love is a whole lot of bullshit
Hello, sailor
Hello, sailor, buy you a smoke?
Hello, sailor, can I tell you a joke?
Knock knock, who's there?
No, I'm just happy to see you
It'll be a hundred if you come
Hello, sailor, tell me how does it feel
Hello, sailor, to be fighting for real?
Sailor, they got you coming and going
Sailor, look out 'cause your pussy is showing
How does it feel to be back on American soil, hearing no blood for oil?
I'm a little prostitute, I put out and sell
Here come the market monkeys with their little fontainelles
When they tip me over, they better tip me well
Because free love is a whole lot of bullshit
Free love is a whole lot of bullshit
Hello, sailor, buy you a fuck?
Hello, sailor, you had much more than luck
You had the US of army on your side
And that red, white, and pride
Hello, sailor, I mean women and men
Hello, sailor, you gonna be up for it again?
How does it feel to make shooting stars in the sky?
Was it a rush to almost die?
Hello, sailor
I said, "Hello, sailor."
How does it feel to be back on American soil, hearing no blood for oil?
I'm a little liberal, I'm stupid in doubt
Here is my platform, here is my holy roller
When you snow me under, I rock and roll you out
Because free love is a whole lot of bullshit
Free love is a whole lot of bullshit
Free love is a whole lot of bullshit
The song Hello Sailor by Girlysound is a critique of American imperialism and war. The lyrics are a conversation between the singer and a sailor, who has recently returned from serving overseas, possibly in a war-torn country. The singer questions the sailor on his experiences abroad and how it feels to return to American soil. The repeated question "how does it feel to be back on American soil, hearing no blood for oil?" refers to the belief that the United States engages in wars primarily for oil and not for the good of the people in the countries they invade.
The lyrics also contain a feminist message, with the singer comparing herself to a despot and a prostitute, and referencing the sailor's "pussy showing". This is a commentary on the objectification and exploitation of women, both at home and abroad. The final lines of the song suggest a political motivation, with the singer identifying as a liberal and declaring that free love is a lot of bullshit. This could be interpreted as a challenge to the countercultural movements of the time, which often focused on rejecting traditional gender roles and promoting free love.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, Sailor
Greeting aimed at a sailor
Hello, sailor, buy you a drink?
Offering to purchase a drink for the sailor
Hello, sailor, tell me what do you think?
Asking the opinion of the sailor
How was the big beach, how was the sand?
Inquiring about the sailor's experience at the beach
Did you fly an aeroplane, did you get a tan?
Asking if the sailor took a flight or got a tan
How does it feel to be back on American soil, hearing no blood for oil?
Questioning the sailor's feelings about returning to America and not hearing about war for oil
Hello, sailor, will we get him next week?
Asking about the possibility of capturing an enemy next week
How does it feel to be hated and loved back home?
Questioning the sailor about how it feels to be both hated and loved at home
I'm telling you, you should have known
Expressing disappointment in the sailor for not knowing something
That I'm a little despot, short and stout
Describing oneself as a little dictator
Here is my handgun, here is my crowd control
Offering someone a gun and crowd control equipment
When you tick me off then the bullets fly out
Warning that someone will shoot if agitated
Because free love is a whole lot of bullshit
Stating that the idea of free love is not practical
Hello, sailor, buy you a smoke?
Offering to give the sailor a cigarette
Hello, sailor, can I tell you a joke?
Asking the sailor for permission to tell a joke
Knock knock, who's there?
Beginning a knock-knock joke
No, I'm just happy to see you
Punch line to the knock-knock joke
It'll be a hundred if you come
Jokingly requesting a payment in exchange for the joke
Hello, sailor, tell me how does it feel
Asking the sailor to describe their emotions
Hello, sailor, to be fighting for real?
Inquiring about the impact of actually being in combat
Sailor, they got you coming and going
Noting the sailor is in a difficult situation
Sailor, look out 'cause your pussy is showing
Using a vulgar phrase to tell the sailor to be careful
I'm a little prostitute, I put out and sell
Describing oneself as a prostitute who sells sexual services
Here come the market monkeys with their little fontainelles
Referring to people who exploit sex workers for profit
When they tip me over, they better tip me well
Expecting to be compensated properly for sexual services
Hello, sailor, buy you a fuck?
Offering sexual services to the sailor
Hello, sailor, you had much more than luck
Acknowledging the sailor's bravery in combat
You had the US of army on your side
Noting that the sailor had the support of the US military
And that red, white, and pride
Referencing patriotism and the American flag
Hello, sailor
Greeting aimed at a sailor
I mean women and men
Clarifying that the greeting is for both female and male sailors
Hello, sailor, you gonna be up for it again?
Inquiring whether the sailor is prepared to return to combat
How does it feel to make shooting stars in the sky?
Asking the sailor what it feels like to witness explosions in the distance
Was it a rush to almost die?
Asking the sailor about their experience of nearly dying in combat
I'm a little liberal, I'm stupid in doubt
Describing oneself as politically liberal and uncertain
Here is my platform, here is my holy roller
Referring to one's political beliefs and religious beliefs
When you snow me under, I rock and roll you out
When challenged, one will fight back with enthusiasm
Because free love is a whole lot of bullshit
Continuation of the earlier statement that free love is not practical
Free love is a whole lot of bullshit
Final statement reiterating the theme of the song
Contributed by Peyton O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.