In an interview with NPR, Michelle (the lead singer, guitarist, songwriter, and producer behind Japanese Breakfast) had this to say about the song
"This song started as “Day 6” on June, was revamped and appeared on Little Big League’s Tropical Jinx, and then revamped again for this record. I just hated the way we arranged and produced it in Little Big League, and I still really loved the chorus lyrics and the way the melody lifted, so I wanted to rearrange it. Craig is wonderful at coming up with vocal harmonies. I always joke that Craig sings like a Disney Prince, his voice is just so full and objectively beautiful, I think it makes my squawk sound a bit prettier when we sing together.
Actually, I think we arranged and recorded this mostly in one day. We tried to redo the drums and vocals, but we were so attached to the original that it just didn’t sound right when we put the new versions in. So the vocal is actually the scratch take, just one take I think recorded on a Beta 57."
An 8-bit version of the song from an online role-playing game named "Japanese Breakquest" (which was based on the album) is available to download upon completion of the game.
Boyish
Japanese Breakfast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I need it
And all of my devotion turns violent
If you go to her
Don't expect to come home to me
To me
I can't get you off my mind
So here we are, we're just two losers
I want you, and you want something more beautiful
Lack of inhibition works wonders
In revealing every demon
And all this confrontation, this suffering
What do you want from me?
If you don't like how I look, then leave
I can't get you off my mind
You can't get yours off the hostess
Watched her lips reserving tables
As my ugly mouth kept running
Love me
Love me
The opening lyrics of Japanese Breakfast's song Boyish delve into the complexities and insecurities that come with being in a romantic relationship. The singer expresses doubts about the reassurance given to them by their partner, which they describe as "boyish", implying a lack of maturity and sincerity. This reassurance is not enough to quell the singer's fears and doubts, leading them to admit that their devotion can turn violent if their partner strays from them. The singer warns their partner that if they choose to pursue someone else, they should not expect to come back to them.
The following verse dwells on the singer's inability to get their partner off their mind, highlighting their intense longing and desire. They describe themselves and their partner as "losers", suggesting that they are outsiders or misfits who have found solace in each other's company. However, the singer feels inadequate because they know their partner craves something more beautiful.
In the final verse, the singer reflects on the benefits of being confrontational and honest in a relationship, even if it means revealing one's inner "demons". They express frustration at their partner's indecision and ask them what they truly want from the relationship. The final plea to be loved can be interpreted as an admission of vulnerability, with the singer yearning for affection despite their doubts and fears.
Line by Line Meaning
Your boyish reassurance is not reassuring
The fact that you act and talk like a boy doesn't make me feel safe or comforted in your presence.
And I need it
Despite that, I crave your attention and affection.
And all of my devotion turns violent
My love and loyalty towards you can take a dangerous and aggressive turn if you choose someone else over me.
If you go to her
The possibility of you being with someone else troubles me immensely.
Don't expect to come home to me
If you decide to leave me and be with her, don't count on having me waiting for you when you return.
I can't get you off my mind
You constantly occupy my thoughts and I cannot stop thinking about you.
I can't get you off in general
I am unable to forget about you or move on from our relationship in any way.
So here we are, we're just two losers
Despite the fact that we're not together, we're both still stuck in our emotional attachment to each other, making us undesirable as partners.
I want you, and you want something more beautiful
I desire your love and attention, but you are more attracted to someone who is physically more attractive than me.
Lack of inhibition works wonders
Being free from self-restraint can bring out the worst in us and reveal our true nature.
In revealing every demon
This reveals all the insecurities and flaws we have deep down, and brings them to the surface.
And all this confrontation, this suffering
All of this conflict and pain arises from our inability to be honest with each other or to let go of the past.
What do you want from me?
I need to understand what you want from me, and where we stand in this relationship.
If you don't like how I look, then leave
If my appearance or personality doesn't meet your expectations or standards, then you should break up with me.
Watched her lips reserving tables
I saw the hostess smiling and talking with customers as she reserved tables for them.
As my ugly mouth kept running
Meanwhile, I couldn't help but continue speaking poorly or negatively about myself and my situation.
Love me
After all of this heartache and difficulty, I still long for your love and attention.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Michelle Chongmi Zauner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@audreywu5320
[Verse 1]
Your boyish reassurance is not reassuring
And I need it
And all of my devotion turns violent
If you go to her, don't expect to come home to me
[Chorus]
I can't get you off my mind, I can't get you off in general
So here we are, we're just two losers
I want you and you want something more beautiful
[Verse 2]
Lack of inhibition works wonders in revealing every demon
And all this confrontation, this suffering
What do you want from me?
If you don't like how I look then leave
[Chorus 2]
I can't get you off my mind, you can't get yours off the hostess
Watched her lips reserving tables
As my ugly mouth kept running
Love me
Love me!
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
"Boyish"
Your boyish reassurance is not reassuring
And I need it
And all of my devotion turns violent
If you go to her, don't expect to come home to me
I can't get you off my mind, I can't get you off in general
So here we are, we're just two losers
I want you and you want something more beautiful
Lack of inhibition works wonders in revealing every demon
And all this confrontation, this suffering
What do you want from me?
If you don't like how I look then leave
I can't get you off my mind, you can't get yours off the hostess
Watched her lips reserving tables
As my ugly mouth kept running
Love me
Love me!
@bearislestudios
why is everyone in this so attractive??
@alexjjgreen
confidence is beauty
@rasha1a
Be confident that you are, and you will be :v
@Tristamus
I believe that's part of the point. It seems like the meaning here is about a man who may like or love a girl but doesn't like the way she looks...as in, isn't really attracted to her. There's nothing she can really do about it, so it is hurting her.
@ida.wendigo
I want to like your comment, but the number 333 is a nice number...
@peachespulaski5981
Calum Larkin But what if you're just straight up ugly?
@mottoloveurlala
The smell of indie in the morning
@TheChgz
It doesn't count as indie if more than a few thousand people know about them.
@roshbin3026
Smell of indie throughout the day
@Ash-gk8jp
@@TheChgz It does count as indie.