Holly and the Italians were a short-lived American power-pop band that form… Read Full Bio ↴Holly and the Italians were a short-lived American power-pop band that formed Los Angeles, California in 1978 by Chicago born singer and guitarist Holly Beth Vincent, bassist Mark Sidgwick, and drummer Steve Young.

Unable to garner much attention in Los Angeles, the band flew to London shortly after forming in hopes of securing a record deal and possibly gaining an audience in the New Wave and post-punk scene that was quite popular in Britain at the time. After playing on the pub circuit extensivley, they came to prominence as the opening act for fellow Americans Blondie, and were signed to disc jockey Charlie Gillett's record label, Opal.

The 1979 release of the single "Tell That Girl To Shut Up" garnered the band a recording contract with Virgin Records. While the single wasn't a very big hit for Holly and the Italians, it would be in 1988 when covered by Transvision Vamp. The band recorded their only album, The Right To Be Italian, produced by Richard Gottehrer. Their next two singles, "Youth Coup" and "Miles Away," (the latter written by bassist Mark Henry), failed to chart and the group disbanded at the end of 1981.

In 1982 Holly Beth Vincent issued a solo album entitled Holly and the Italians even though the band was now defunct and the album was solely credited to Vincent. The album featured a minor hit with the completely overhauled cover of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth," and the subsequent video gained some airtime on MTV. Later that year Vincent recorded a cover of Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" with Ramones frontman Joey Ramone.

After a brief period replacing Patty Donahue in The Waitresses, she appeared in a combo called the Wild Things with Anthony Thistlethwaite of The Waterboys, and in 1995 teamed up with Concrete Blonde singer Johnette Napolitano for a musical side project entitled Vowel Movement.

Tell That Girl to Shut Up
Holly and the Italians Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well you got that girl and she lives with you
And she does just want you want her to
And when I call you on the phone, she says you're not there
But I know you're home

You better tell that girl to shut up
Tell that girl I'm gonna beat her up
You better tell that girl, tell that girl, tell that girl

Well we used to be the best of friends
Now all that's gonna have to end
But there's just one thing that I can't see
That's she's got got you hanging up on me yeah

You better tell that girl to shut up
Tell that girl I'm gonna beat her up
You better tell that girl, tell that girl, tell that girl

Well I'm better tonight and I'm awfully kind
It takes a lot for me to loose my mind
Don't you know that I don't care?
Maybe if I hit her, maybe if I pulled her hair
Oh oh yeah yeah yeah

Well, she likes to seem intellectual
And to be a musician she goes to school
And the way she acts is so uncool
I just can't stand her

You better tell that girl to shut up
Tell that girl I'm gonna beat her up
You better tell that girl tell that girl, tell that girl

Ooh you better tell (you better tell that girl to shut up)
(Yeah you better) tell that girl I'm gonna beat her up
You better tell that girl tell that girl, tell that girl

Girl, girl, girl, girl, girl, girl
You better tell that girl
You better tell that girl to shut up

Tell that girl I'm gonna beat her up
You better tell that girl tell that girl, tell that girl

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Holly and the Italians's song, "Tell That Girl to Shut Up", revolve around the relationship dynamic between the singer and her ex-lover and his new girlfriend. The singer is clearly jealous and frustrated with the situation, particularly because her ex's girlfriend seems to have control over the relationship and is preventing her from speaking to him. The lyrics suggest that the new girlfriend is manipulative and irritating, and the singer is reaching her boiling point.

The chorus of the song is a straightforward message from the singer to her ex-lover, telling him to take control of his girlfriend and put her in her place. She threatens physical violence against the new girlfriend, indicating the extent to which she is fed up with the situation. The lyrics also suggest that the singer and her ex-lover were once close friends, but that the new girlfriend has caused a rift between them.

Overall, the lyrics of "Tell That Girl to Shut Up" convey a sense of desperation and anger. The singer feels powerless in the face of her ex's new relationship and is lashing out in frustration. It's a relatable theme that many people have experienced in their own lives, and the catchy melody and upbeat tempo make the song an instant classic.

Line by Line Meaning

Well you got that girl and she lives with you
You have a girlfriend who lives with you.

And she does just want you want her to
She does everything you tell her to do.

And when I call you on the phone, she says you're not there
When I call you, she lies and says that you're not available.

But I know you're home
But I know you're actually there.

You better tell that girl to shut up
You should ask your girlfriend to stop being so obstructive.

Tell that girl I'm gonna beat her up
Warn her that I'm ready to attack her.

Well we used to be the best of friends
We used to be really close friends.

Now all that's gonna have to end
Our friendship is over now.

But there's just one thing that I can't see
I don't understand one thing.

That's she's got got you hanging up on me yeah
How she's managed to make you avoid me.

Well I'm better tonight and I'm awfully kind
I'm in a good mood tonight and I'm being very nice.

It takes a lot for me to loose my mind
It takes quite a bit to make me really angry.

Don't you know that I don't care?
Don't you understand that I'm not interested?

Maybe if I hit her, maybe if I pulled her hair
Maybe if I'm violent with her, she'll back off.

Well, she likes to seem intellectual
She tries to appear smart.

And to be a musician she goes to school
She's in school to become a musician.

And the way she acts is so uncool
I think the way she behaves is unacceptable.

I just can't stand her
I really dislike her.

You better tell that girl to shut up
You need to get your girlfriend to stop being so annoying.

Tell that girl I'm gonna beat her up
Warn her that I'm ready to attack her.

Girl, girl, girl, girl, girl, girl
Just a repetition of the word 'girl.'

You better tell that girl
You really should ask your girlfriend to back off.

You better tell that girl to shut up
You really need to get your girlfriend to stop being so obstructive.

Tell that girl I'm gonna beat her up
Let her know that I'm ready to fight her.

You better tell that girl tell that girl, tell that girl
You really need to communicate this message to your girlfriend.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: HOLLY VINCENT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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01I Wanna Go Home3:57

02Baby Gets It All3:14

03Youth Coup2:41

04Just Young5:23

05Miles Away3:38

06Tell That Girl to Shut Up3:01

PT3M1S

Holly and the Italians

07Just For Tonight2:38

08Do You Say Love3:15

09Means To A Den3:13

10Rock Against Romance5:39

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Comments from YouTube:

@orlfane1622

9y↑51

I saw them open for the Ramones in 82. Went right out and got the album. Loved this band.

@kashack80s

6y↑3

Me too. Such an awesome concert!

@pj5517

4y↑2

Didn't she date Joey for a while ?

@jimbobwalton1048

3y↑12

I saw her supporting The Clash at Hammersmith Palais on the tour promoting the London Calling album . I would sell my soul to be able to revisit those times .

@rodmehta5356

3y↑3

Indeed!
(John Peel got me here)

@GriefTourist

1y↑6

From a golden era of music before it became soulless focus group product!

@markcassel3392

21w↑2

She's so underrated

@oldpunkster

13y↑15

OMG....I have this on vinyl, and haven't heard this in like 25 years!! still pretty cool!

@sandebonzi2354

1y↑3

STILL pretty cool!! 👍😁

@wayne_twentyfive

13y↑13

Great song, great album, great band. And Holly was obviously just ... Great !!! Wayne

@robamico7158

9y↑11

I also saw them open for the ramones in 82 and about 8 months later I ran into Holly and Joey hanging out at an X/bush tetra's show in NYC

@redexile1

9y↑15

saw these in some grotty pub in hammersmith in 79 or 80 i think and fell in love with Holly at first sight lol

@Dreamskater100

5y↑2

Ha ha! I remember the days of the grotty pubs & gigs in Hammersmith back then too!!

@radioheadfreak7511

10y↑18

SAW THEM AT 9:30 CLUB IN DC AND HER LEAD GUITAR PLAYER HAD A STRAT WITH A COMPLETELY WORE OUT PICK GUARD WITH GOOD HUMOR POPSICLE STICKS GLUED OVER THE HOLE IN PICK PLATE. HE MUST OF REALLY LOVED THAT STRAT.

@lixie1

14y↑2

This is the best version ever!!

@williamsaputo3454

4y↑1

This was their big song! Thanks for posting it. Now I'm searching their catalog!

@beatlejojo1

8y↑7

still have the album. always liked this song.

@TheRickJohnston

Joey,

Did this band ever play at the Bowery? I remember seeing them live but couldn't remember if it was OKC or Dallas or possibly even Austin...

@zaggy3110

5y↑19

Mark Knopfler was just one of her deals.

@thisonegirl1302

Nice.

@viangallifrancois2568

2y↑1

How can you look at him as if he was just another one in her deals ?

@1WastedMango

Killer bass line!

@stephensczurek6286

5y↑5

I remember hearing this in 1980 on Radio Luxembourg. I was in Germany with the Army, and I sometimes preferred listening to RL rather than AFN. Bubblegum sound, but kind of fun, I thought.

@mattmiller8982

8y↑9

Bought this when it first came out, and still have. The cover is so cool I should frame it!!! Just something about a girl holding a strat!!!

@BrutishYetDelightful

1y↑1

I found this album in a pawnshop waaaay back in the day. I had no idea what in the hell it was, but the picture got me to pony up the cash. It was a good gamble.

@antonyjstowers1936

20w↑1

Yeah me too when it first came otu with the picture sleeve. Loved it. it should have done better.

@jamesthecat

17w

To be fair, it was apparently greeted enthusiastically, I think they just took too long to make the album, sadly.

@kilts4u2

15y↑4

Although I'm a "Holly" fan and this is the original, I still like the Transvision Vamp version...only for the drumming. Both rock. What became of Holly Beth Vincent? Does she perform anymore?

@gorkym.4006

9y↑1

They always did play at the "Peppermint Lounge" in NYC

@100peachtree

15y↑4

I saw Ms. Vincent with a band that opened for Concrete Blonde back in 1994. Can't remember the name of that band though.

@kilts4u2

6y↑2

Holly collaborated with Johnette Napolitano when they formed a short lived band called "Vowel Movement".

@gregorybrown590

6y↑2

The Oblivious.

@anthonyboerio4955

80's girls groups - oh yeah!!!

Nikki and the Corvettes also rock ;)

@bgnh1

4y↑6

The original and only version that matters.

@prettybionic

14y↑2

oh...are you serious..this version is the best version by far!!! no contest.Holly's just got it going on.

@JohnSmith-su3ze

Ummm, no

@michaeltnewyorknights8413

4y↑1

@@JohnSmith-su3ze uhmm yes

@JohnSmith-su3ze

@@michaeltnewyorknights8413 Ummmmm, nope

@stephensczurek6286

@@JohnSmith-su3ze Uuummmmmmmmmm yup
yup yup yup

@mitchsmith71

ummmm nopey nope.

@christopherhennessey8991

First time I heard this song is on a college radio station WVUM.

@danielfrankstindt

14y↑1

All I've ever know was the Tina and the Total babes version. It's awesome. This is awesome too. Pretty much the same a little less raw though.

@tandjfinch5572

cool song from way back when club days

@jean-louisberlatier3433

5y↑1

The perfect French fandom group (from Edgar Poe to The Real Kids)

@garysevern

15y

Yeah I had the single complete with scratches now burnt to CD. Prefer that much more raw feel.

@Meehowski

Epic....

@alanstrom2221

Funny how the mind plays games with your memories.
This song sounds different in my head from 1980.
This version sounds too poppy and nice, is it the original version?

@alannahwatts5778

Alan Strom You might be thinking of Wendy James from Transvision Vamp’s version. Check it out. I believe this is the original though.

@BigStar303

No, this is a later remake of the original single (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdkTxxeb9Pc). I suspect it was redone because both Holly's and her backing vocals are pretty seriously out of tune!

@stephensczurek6286

I've just listened to the link that BigStar303 posted, and I don't think that's the original version. At least, this version here is the one I remember hearing on the radio back in 1980. I say that this one is much better.

@BigStar303

@@stephensczurek6286 Uh, that was kind of my point. Because this version is "the one [you] remember hearing on the radio" doesn't make it the original version. I'll repeat: the version I linked to is the original; this one was the remake, which we both agree is superior. It was likely done because there were problems with off-key singing on the first one.

@Dreamskater100

Nice!

@TheHughLundy

14y↑10

This this original just blows Transvision Vamps (which isn't to bad for a cover) out of the water.Holly always had the cool/ pissed off voice- vibe down so well.

@JohnSmith-su3ze

You're delusional

@motnosniv

4y↑1

This sounds like a song The Tubes would do.

@alanstrom2221

4y↑1

The Completion Backwards Principle by The Tubes in 1981 is one of the best and favourite albums of mine.

@carriescoular9249

5y↑1

Holly Rose Cheek xxxx

@istillfunction8691

4y↑5

Transvision Vamp took this okay song and made it fantastic.

@ludochem

Sounds so much like the ramones. any connection?

@garysevern

13y↑3

Original single version is best - much more raw

@fayeray2092

8y↑5

Transfusion vamps version was studio fluff. Holly wrote it and sang it best. Yeah she was with the waitresses for about 5 min.

@cahoot06

14y↑1

@comolgab holly was the first and the best

@jimrader5299

gee do you think they heard ramones. but I remember ace tracks tell that girl and wanna go home. derivative but sincere.

@helicopterspies

2y↑2

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN ITALIAN

@scamperingcat

5y↑21

Mrs. Maisel brought me here..

@chrischristi1818

5y↑1

I know right ? They didn't start playin' cool songs 'til the last four episodes !!!

@GeraldWeinand

4y↑2

Me too - after watching the version by Transvision Vamp. Oddly enough I saw Holly and the Italians waaayyy back in 1980 at some racetrack outside or Toronto.

@johnbooth2005

4y↑3

Ah, that's the programme I watched, was it? I knew I'd got it from somewhere. Been playing the Transvision Vamp cover meanwhile - which, to its credit, is a nice and zippy rendering.

@cahoot06

13y

@babyimawantyou think but not 100% on it Holly Beth was indeed in The Waitresses

@natechevalier9828

4y↑1

Is this version different from the single version or am I hearing things?

@Chronicallycactus

The single version is different, definitely better then the album version.

@babyimawantyou

13y↑5

This Band Reminds Me Of The Waitresses

@randallkoch6183

3y↑1

The Waitresses & Holly "ATI" would have been a fantastic double bill.

@arcrs40

lke

@hadidta

14y↑2

original is best!!,got it with free stickers!!!!!,

@rebeccaizzmee2134

<<<<< dancing really fast

@cahoot06

13y

@babyimawantyou think but not 100% on it Holly Beth was in the Waitresses

@chrisgeller9618

for a cup of coffee before Patty returned to the band. I was hoping she was playing with them at the 688 club in late 83/ early 84, but alas-- Patty had returned by then.

@Kharing

42w↑2

Transvision Vamp covered this song

@fayeray2092

8y↑1

Ticketyboo what? 60's go home

@cahoot06

13y↑1

walking wet dream, what else can i say

@revol148

5y↑3

I prefer the cover version by Transvision vamp...

@kevinhanson4703

4y↑3

Same here as I only remember transvision vamps version in 88 it's weird hearing Holly and the Italians original version which I like ,but I Godda go with wendy and co

@corrinapett

Intellectual .....

@mundrubjet

13y↑1

@ASteveVaiFan Steve Vai is a bad ass guitarist...he blew Joe Satriani off the stage at G3 Denver. But come on...this is a bad ass girl song...

@hydraulichydra8363

When you encounter a Karen:

@JohnSmith-su3ze

5y↑1

Can't believe this Holly woman ripped off Transvision Vamp

She should get her own songs

@theresak.6244

5y↑3

Um - Transvision Camp covered this song. This was first.... TVamp's was in 1988

@kevinhanson4703

4y↑1

I know it's shameful wonder what wendy would think🤪

@hydraulichydra8363

3y↑1

When AOC says something:

@whipsmartchris

24w

Say it twice. Many things get funnier the second time after you’ve been ignored. Holly & The Italians fans aren’t exactly cro-MAGA. AntiWoman rubes. Shouldn’t you be drooling over a Kid Rock song anyway?
❤
Jason Aldean