In many of her songs, she incorporates humor into a narrative, some tracks ultimately becoming catchy anecdotes. Generally, her songs are unconventionally folk-like, using horn arrangements not found in tracks recorded by mainstream artists. Sobule also uses both satire and experience to sing about sexuality, depression, war, abandonment, and creed.
Underdog Victorious
Jill Sobule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living in a shitty little town
Every recess the dodge ball flew
And knocked poor Bobby down
4:00 when he got home
Upstairs in his room
He'd close the door
Tie on his cape
And he'd sing
Underdog victorious
He was simply glorious
Someday he'd die notorious
Underdog victorious
A couple years later tried out for the band
Did covers of Matchbox 20
But he was dreaming of the New York Dolls
And Max's Kansas City
Of course they never called him back
They thought he was too queer
But he didn't care, back in his room
He sang into the mirror
And he sang
Underdog victorious
He was simply glorious
Someday he'd die notorious
Underdog victorious
He could see into the future
That was one of his great gifts
And one day all those dodge ball bullies
Would dream of his sweet kiss
And they'd dream
Underdog victorious
He was simply glorious
Someday he'd die notorious
Underdog victorious
Underdog victorious
He was simply glorious
Someday he'd die notorious
Underdog victorious
Jill Sobule's "Underdog Victorious" tells the story of Bobby Trucks, a young boy who is constantly bullied at school. Every day, during recess, he would be hit with dodge balls and knocked down. However, when he gets home, he transforms into a superhero, singing about his victories as he battles evil and saves the day. He wears his cape and his skin-tight suit, representing his transformation into the Underdog Victorious. The song is about empowerment, about channeling pain and negativity into strength and optimism, and about finding your own inner superhero.
As the song progresses, Bobby, now a few years older, starts to follow his dream of becoming a rock star. He tries out for a band, plays Matchbox 20 covers, but dreams of the New York Dolls and Max's Kansas City. Even though he gets rejected for being "too queer," Bobby doesn't give up. In his room, he sings into the mirror and continues to declare himself as the Underdog Victorious. He even predicts that someday, the bullies who used to torment him on the playground will dream of his sweet kiss, showing how he has become the hero they used to mock.
In conclusion, "Underdog Victorious" is a story about a bullied child who transforms himself into a superhero, then into a rock star, by remaining true to himself and refusing to give up. It's a song about resilience and the power of imagination to lift the spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Bobby Trucks was a fat little boy
Bobby Trucks was an overweight child who was criticized and judged by his peers.
Living in a shitty little town
He lived in a small town where his dreams and aspirations were not appreciated or supported.
Every recess the dodge ball flew
During his school days, children played dodgeball, which was an activity Bobby was not particularly good at and got hurt often.
And knocked poor Bobby down
Other children would take advantage of Bobby's weaknesses and bully him often.
4:00 when he got home
After school, he would usually arrive home around 4:00 PM.
Upstairs in his room
He would go to his room, which was the only place he felt safe and could be himself without being judged.
He'd close the door
He would shut the door to keep out any negativity from the outside world.
Tie on his cape
In his alone time, he would wear a cape and feel like a superhero who could overcome anything.
Put on his skin-tight suit
Putting on a tight suit would make Bobby feel confident and powerful, which he didn't feel in his daily life.
And he'd sing
He would sing songs that made him feel empowered and gave him hope that someday he would be successful.
Underdog victorious
Bobby saw himself as the underdog who would one day emerge triumphant.
He was simply glorious
He believed in himself and felt that he had greatness in him, regardless of what other people said or thought.
Someday he'd die notorious
He aspired to live his life to the fullest and leave a legacy behind that others would remember.
A couple years later tried out for the band
After a few years, Bobby tried out to be a part of a music group.
Did covers of Matchbox 20
The band mostly performed the songs of the popular band Matchbox 20.
But he was dreaming of the New York Dolls
He had bigger aspirations and dreamed of being a part of the band The New York Dolls.
And Max's Kansas City
He also dreamed of performing at Max's Kansas City, a well-renowned venue.
Of course, they never called him back
However, his applications were unsuccessful, and he never received a callback from any of the music groups or venues.
They thought he was too queer
The music groups and venues had their own prejudices and discriminations, and they didn't want to work with someone like Bobby, who was different from the norm.
But he didn't care, back in his room
Even though he was rejected, he didn't give up on his passion and continued to work hard in his room on his music.
He sang into the mirror
He would perform in front of the mirror, practicing and perfecting his craft.
He could see into the future
Bobby believed that he had a gift that made him see the future with clarity.
That was one of his great gifts
Being able to see into the future and visualize his success in his mind was one of the things that kept him going.
And one day all those dodge ball bullies
He believed that someday, those who bullied him before would be envious of him and realize their mistake of dismissing him.
Would dream of his sweet kiss
Those who ignored him before would crave his approval, love, and attention, just like they did in their childhood days.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JILL SOBULE, ROBIN EATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind