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.
Soap Star Joe
Girlysound Lyrics
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In a long line of heroes
Looking for something attractive to save
They say he rode in
On the back of a pickup
And he won't leave town
'til you remember his name
In a long line of heroes
Looking for some lonely billboard to grace
They say he sprung from the skull of Athena
Think about your own head
And the headache he gave
He's just a hero
In a long line of heroes
Looking for action at a price he can pay
They say he's famous
But no one can prove it
Make him an offer just to see what he'll say
Check out the dashboard lights
Glowing all green and white
He feels safe in the dark
He wears his bluejeans tight
He's just a hero
In a long line of heroes
Looking for something attractive to save
They say he rode in
On the back of a pickup
And he won't leave town
'Til you remember his name
Check out the thinning hair
Check out the aftershave
Check out America
You're looking at it babe
In Girlysound's "Soap Star Joe," the singer describes a man who identifies as a hero, one of many looking for their big break. He rides the wave of fame from town to town, seeking notoriety and recognition. With a rough, cowboy-like demeanor, dubbed Soap Star Joe, he puts himself in the spotlight and demands attention. They say he is famous, but there's no solid proof of it. He is all talk and no substance, but he continues to find himself in the limelight.
The song suggests that Soap Star Joe may be a representation of the superficial nature of Hollywood and celebrity culture. The second verse further alludes to the idea that his rise to fame may have been more luck than anything else as it was suggested he was born from Athena's forehead, the Greek goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, breaking free as fully formed adult. The line "Make him an offer just to see what he'll say" also suggests that Joe is an opportunist and will accept any deal to continue being the center of attention.
The chorus repeats the same theme, that Joe is a hero in a long line of heroes, searching for something attractive to save. He is a fake hero, with no real desire to do good but instead seeks validation and attention from others. The final line of the song, "Check out America, you're looking at it babe," is a further commentary on the superficial nature of celebrity, suggesting that Soap Star Joe represents a larger problem with American culture.
Line by Line Meaning
He's just a hero
He is a common archetype of a hero
In a long line of heroes
There are many heroes like him
Looking for something attractive to save
Searching for something to save that is appealing
They say he rode in
On the back of a pickup
And he won't leave town
'til you remember his name
Rumored to have arrived in town on a pickup truck and he will not leave until he is remembered
They say he sprung from the skull of Athena
Think about your own head
And the headache he gave
He is believed to have come from Athena's skull and the problems he causes are comparable to a headache
Looking for action at a price he can pay
Searching for an opportunity with a reasonable cost
They say he's famous
But no one can prove it
Make him an offer just to see what he'll say
Some people claim he is famous, but there is no evidence to support it, and he is willing to negotiate
Check out the dashboard lights
Glowing all green and white
He feels safe in the dark
He wears his bluejeans tight
Observing the dashboard lights that make him feel secure in the dark and his tight blue jeans
Check out the thinning hair
Check out the aftershave
Check out America
You're looking at it babe
Examining his thinning hair, aftershave, and the current state of America
Contributed by Anthony J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.