BOYS
Joe Jackson Lyrics


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Pretty boys - on my tv screen
Teeth so white and hair so clean
Pretty boys - sing and play guitars
Pretty boys get to be big stars

How do you rate my sex appeal from one to ten
Is my image just a bit confusing
Maybe i should get a facelift, start again
Maybe i should trade my pointed shoes in
'cause talent don't count
For pretty boys

Those promo people got a lot to answer for
You can take your face and see just where it fits
Be a pretty pawn in someone else's war
Your baby blue eyes - somebody else's wits
Equals success
For pretty boys

I want to see a human being on my tv set
Want some action for the fat and thin man
They're getting closer but they ain't got robots yet
Just a hero with a smile like a tin man




No brains and no heart
Just pretty boys

Overall Meaning

The song "Pretty Boys" by Joe Jackson highlights the frivolous nature of the entertainment industry where physical appearance often takes precedence over talent. The song starts off by painting a picture of the "pretty boys" who grace our TV screens, with their perfect teeth and perfectly coiffed hair. These "pretty boys" are singers and guitarists who have become huge stars for their looks rather than their musical talent. Joe Jackson then questions the audience about their perception of his sex appeal, implying that being "pretty" is essential for success in the music industry. He even seems to consider getting a facelift, as a way to fit in with the "pretty boys."


The song then takes a critical turn and accuses the industry of promoting shallow values. Jackson suggests that the people who work in the industry have a lot to answer for because they are the ones who manipulate people's images and take advantage of their vulnerabilities. They mold their clients into "pretty pawns in someone else's war" and create an image that appeals to a mass audience. The song highlights the fact that the success of these "pretty boys" has nothing to do with their actual talent, but rather their appearance.


In the final verse, Jackson expresses his desire to see someone with more substance gracing our screens. He wants to see people who are flawed and real, not just pretty faces with no brains or heart. The song concludes with the assertion that talent should count over mere looks in the music industry.


Line by Line Meaning

Pretty boys - on my tv screen
I see attractive men on my television screen


Teeth so white and hair so clean
Their teeth are very bright and their hair is very neat


Pretty boys - sing and play guitars
These are good-looking men who sing and play musical instruments


Pretty boys get to be big stars
Attractive men gain a lot of fame


How do you rate my sex appeal from one to ten
Can you rate how attractive I am on a scale of one to ten


Is my image just a bit confusing
Is the way I look causing some confusion?


Maybe i should get a facelift, start again
I should consider getting plastic surgery and starting over


Maybe i should trade my pointed shoes in
Perhaps I should exchange my stylish shoes for something more practical


'cause talent don't count
Because being talented doesn't matter


For pretty boys
Only the attractive men succeed


Those promo people got a lot to answer for
Marketers are accountable for much of this trend


You can take your face and see just where it fits
You can conform to society's standards and see where you fit


Be a pretty pawn in someone else's war
Become a mindless pawn in someone else's agenda


Your baby blue eyes - somebody else's wits
Your attractive eyes - somebody else's smarts


Equals success
Equals fame and fortune


I want to see a human being on my tv set
I want to see someone who looks like a normal person on my television


Want some action for the fat and thin man
I want to see programming that caters to people of all sizes


They're getting closer but they ain't got robots yet
Things are improving, but they are not yet perfect


Just a hero with a smile like a tin man
Only an emotionless hero with a fake smile


No brains and no heart
This person has neither intelligence nor compassion


Just pretty boys
Only attractive men




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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