Irene Kral (January 18, 1932 – August 15, 1978), was a jazz singer who was … Read Full Bio ↴Irene Kral (January 18, 1932 – August 15, 1978), was a jazz singer who was born in Chicago, Illinois and died due to breast cancer in Encino, California.
Irene's older brother, Roy Kral, was a successful musician when Irene started singing professionally as a teenager. She sung with bands on tours led by Woody Herman and Chubby Jackson, former Herman bass player.
Irene joined Maynard Ferguson's band in the late 1950s and sang with groups led by Stan Kenton and Shelly Manne.
Irene then started a solo career until her death at 46 years of age. She was a ballad singer who stated that Carmen McRae was one of her inspirations.
Irene was made more famous posthumously when Clint Eastwood used her recordings in his 1995 movie, The Bridges of Madison County.
(from Wikipedia)

Mad About the Boy
Irene Kral Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm mad about the boy
And I know it's stupid to be mad about the boy
I'm so ashamed of it but must admit the sleepless nights I've had
About the boy

Mmmm on the silverscreen
He melts my foolish heart in every single scene
Although I'm quite aware that here and there are traces of the kid

About the boy

Lord knows I'm not a fool-girl
I really shouldn't care
Lord knows I'm not a school-girl
Who's in the flurry of her first affair

Will it ever cloy
This odoversity of misery and joy
I'm feeling quite insane and young again
And all because I'm mad about the boy

I'm feeling quite insane and young again
And all because I'm mad.

About the boy!

Overall Meaning

The song "Mad About the Boy" by Irene Kral is a beautiful ballad that speaks about the foolishness of being in love with someone who is unattainable. The singer admits that she is mad about the boy, and even though she knows it is irrational, she can't help but feel the way she does. She is ashamed of her feelings and has had many sleepless nights because of them. She even acknowledges that there are traces of the boy who is making her feel this way in every single scene on the silver screen.

The singer knows that she should not be feeling this way, as she is not a fool-girl or a school-girl who is caught up in the rush of her first love. However, despite this, she finds herself feeling young and insane once again because she is mad about the boy. The song ends with her repeating the phrase "about the boy," emphasizing her obsession with him despite knowing that it's a futile pursuit.

Overall, the song beautifully captures the pain and confusion of unrequited love. The singer's vulnerability and honesty in admitting her feelings make the song all the more poignant.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm mad about the boy
I'm crazy in love with this guy

And I know it's stupid to be mad about the boy
I know it's silly to be so obsessed with him

I'm so ashamed of it but must admit the sleepless nights I've had
I'm embarrassed by how much I think about him, but it keeps me up at night

Mmmm on the silverscreen
When I see him on TV or in movies

He melts my foolish heart in every single scene
I get so emotional and my heart just melts when I watch him act

Although I'm quite aware that here and there are traces of the kid
Even though I know he's just playing a character and not really the person I love

Lord knows I'm not a fool-girl
I am not a naive or foolish girl

I really shouldn't care
I know I shouldn't be so obsessed with him

Lord knows I'm not a school-girl
I am not a young and inexperienced girl

Who's in the flurry of her first affair
Who is caught up in her first romantic relationship

Will it ever cloy
Will I ever get tired of feeling this way