Jonathan Richman began playing music and writing his own songs in the mid-1960s. In 1969 he moved to New York City, where he spent time living on the couch of The Velvet Underground's manager and working odd jobs while trying to break in as a professional musician. Failing at this, he returned to Boston. Having moved back, he formed The Modern Lovers. Other notable members of the group were keyboard player Jerry Harrison and drummer David Robinson, who later joined Talking Heads and The Cars, respectively. In 1972 they recorded a series of songs with John Cale producing, including the seminal "Roadrunner," which were eventually released on the group's sole album, Modern Lovers, in 1975.
Shortly after these recordings were made, Richman broke up the band and embarked on his long and eclectic solo career. For a while he continued recording under the "Modern Lovers" name (or rather, the more telling "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers" appellation), but all the members were different, and in the new incarnation were essentially his backing band. The sound of the new group was considerably different as well, focusing on acoustic instrumentation rather than the prior electric guitars and drums. The album Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers was released in January 1977, Rock and Roll with the Modern Lovers followed a month later, and Modern Lovers Live in 1978.
In 1979 Richman finally went completely solo. That year's Back in Your Life was released under the "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers" moniker, but this was true of only about half the disc—the rest was solo work. This album was probably the most extreme detour by Richman into eclecticism; after the odd but traditional acoustic rock of the previous albums, this one's solo tracks showed off a string bass and Glockenspiel as main instruments.A few years' hiatus ended in 1983 with Jonathan Sings!—memorably featuring a cover with Richman serenading a crowd wearing nothing but a guitar and neck strap. This was followed up with a series of pop efforts (Rockin' and Romance, It's Time for Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, and Modern Lovers 88 from 1985, 1986 and 1988 respectively). Soon after, he returned to swooping madly around the musical landscape: country music with 1990's Jonathan Goes Country, and Spanish translations of his earlier work (as well as traditional Spanish songs) with 1993's Jonathan, Te Vas a Emocionar!
Always possessing an ardent cult following, Richman has become better known in recent years thanks to a series of appearances on fan Conan O'Brien's show; also helping was a major part in the 1998 movie There's Something About Mary, where he played half of a two-man Greek chorus that commented on the movie while performing in the framed action itself.
He has continued his release schedule all along, with You Must Ask the Heart in 1995, Surrender to Jonathan in 1996, I'm So Confused in 1998, Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow in 2001 and Not So Much To Be Loved As To Love in 2004. In 1998 a live album of Modern Lovers recordings from the early '70s was released, Live at the Long Branch & More. There is also a DVD of a live performance Take me to the Plaza 2002. A tribute album, If I Were a Richman, was released by Wampus Multimedia in 2001. In live 'solo' shows, he frequently tours with drummer Tommy Larkins, the other part of the two-man chorus mentioned above. He is a tremendously charismatic stage presence, and this has helped maintain his dedicated cult following.
Richman's work with the first incarnation of Modern Lovers is a major influence on punk rock. One critic called him the "Godfather of Punk". Artists as diverse as the Sex Pistols and Joan Jett have covered "Roadrunner". Boston ska-punk band, Big D and the Kids Table, have covered "New England" live and on their Gypsy Hill EP. A version of "Pablo Picasso" performed by Burning Sensations was included in the 1984 cult film, Repo Man. David Bowie covered "Pablo Picasso" on his album Reality. Velvet Underground founding member John Cale has a version of the song on his 1975 album, Helen of Troy, and continues to include the song in his live shows. Iggy Pop has performed "Pablo Picasso" live and wrote an extra verse for it. Echo and the Bunnymen covered "She Cracked" in concert in 1984 and 1985 and Siouxsie and the Banshees have a version of the song on Downside Up.
Richman's music has set the tone for many alternative rock bands, such as Violent Femmes, Galaxie 500, They Might Be Giants ("Roadrunner" reportedly inspired John Flansburgh to become a musician), Weezer, Tullycraft, Jens Lekman, singer Frank Black (who composed the tribute song "The Man Who Was Too Loud"), Brandon Flowers, Art Brut, Craig Finn of The Hold Steady & Lifter Puller and Nerf Herder who composed a song about him, titled "Jonathan", which appeared on the band's second album How To Meet Girls. British country rock band The Rockingbirds released the single "Jonathan, Jonathan" in tribute to Richman in 1992.
As a producer himself, Richman and drummer Tommy Larkin produced Vic Chesnutt's final album Skitter on Take-Off in 2009 which appeared on Vapor Records. Chesnutt opened for Richman at concerts many times during his later years.
"Roadrunner" is on the soundtrack of School of Rock. In the commentary, director Richard Linklater mentions it is often called "the first punk song" and wanted to include it for that reason, along with all the other seminal rock songs in that film.
A tribute album, If I Were a Richman: a Tribute to the Music of Jonathan Richman, was released by Wampus Multimedia in 2001.
Vampire Girl
Jonathan Richman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'll admit something to you
I get intrigued when women look sinister
Call me superficial, but I stare at them Vampire Girls.
It's not the mascara,
It's not the tight dress, (well maybe it is)
It's the look in the eyes that's gonna scare you to death.
Vampire Girl, Vampire Girl
I get so intrigued when they look like a vampire girl.
Does she cook beans? Does she cook rice?
Does she do ritual sacrifice?
Vampire Girl, Vampire Girl
Whoah, I get so intrigued when they look like a vampire girl.
Go little Vampire Girl
Go little Vampire Girl, Woooo
Go little Vampire Girl
Go little Vampire Girl
Evil now, scary now, go little vampire girl.
Evil now, yeah, Scary now Yeah Yeah
Evil now, yeah yeah, Scary now Yeah Yeah Yeah.
Is she in heaven? Is she in hell?
Is she a sex industry professional?
Vampire Girl, Vampire Girl
I get so intrigued when they look like a vampire girl.
If you fall for the rouse, buddy I won't laugh,
I believe I've fallen for it a couple times myself.
Vampire Girl, Vampire Girl
I get so intrigued when they look like a vampire girl.
Go little Vampire Girl
Go little Vampire Girl, Woooo
Go little Vampire Girl
Go little Vampire Girl
Evil, scary, go.
Evil now, yeah yeah, Scary now Yeah Yeah
Evil now, yeah, Scary now Yeah Yeah Yeah.
Here comes one with a serpentine walk
She's coming up to me and she wants to talk
Vampire Girl, Vampire Girl
I get so intrigued when they look like a vampire girl.
Who would have predicted? Who woulda suspected?
She's not so scary she's got all of my records.
Vampire Girl, Vampire Girl
Oh, I get so intrigued when they look like a vampire girl.
Well, Go little Vampire Girl
Go little Vampire Girl, Woooo
Go little Vampire Girl
Go little Vampire Girl
Evil, scary, go little vampire girl
Evil now, yeah yeah, Scary now Yeah Yeah
Evil now, yeah yeah, Scary now Yeah Yeah Yeah.
Jonathan Richman's song "Vampire Girl" is a delightful ode to the darkness that can be found in women. Richman begins by confessing his fascination with women who look sinister, stating that it's not just their makeup or clothing, which can be significant factors, but rather the look in their eyes. The song is an exploration of this fascination, as Richman wonders if these women cook rice and beans or if they perform ritual sacrifices.
The chorus repeats the line "I get so intrigued when they look like a vampire girl," and serves as a kind of mantra for Richman's obsession. He admits to having fallen for the ruse of a vampire girl in the past, warning others not to make the same mistake. The song ends with Richman encountering a "vampire girl" who surprises him by being a fan of his music.
"Vampire Girl" is a playful and tongue-in-cheek look at the attraction to the dark and spooky side of femininity. Richman's lyrics are witty and humorous, and his delivery is charming and sincere.
Line by Line Meaning
Gather around for a minute or two
Come closer and listen to what I have to say
And I'll admit something to you
I'll tell you something I usually wouldn't
I get intrigued when women look sinister
I feel fascinated when women appear ominous
Call me superficial, but I stare at them Vampire Girls.
I know it's shallow, but I can't help but stare at those 'Vampire Girls'
It's not the mascara,
It's not just the mascara,
It's not the tight dress, (well maybe it is)
Although, it might be the tight dress she's wearing.
It's the look in the eyes that's gonna scare you to death.
It's the specific appearance in her eyes that's terrifying.
Vampire Girl, Vampire Girl
I'm talking about Vampire Girls exclusively here.
I get so intrigued when they look like a vampire girl.
I find it enthralling when they look like a 'Vampire Girl'
Does she cook beans? Does she cook rice?
Does she prepare regular food?
Does she do ritual sacrifice?
Does she commit religious rituals regarding sacrifices?
Vampire Girl, Vampire Girl
Again, only talking about 'Vampire Girls'
Whoah, I get so intrigued when they look like a vampire girl.
I am fascinated when they resemble a 'Vampire Girl'
Go little Vampire Girl
Keep going, little 'Vampire Girl'
Evil now, scary now, go little vampire girl.
You're evil now and scary now, so keep going
Is she in heaven? Is she in hell?
Where is she? In heaven? In hell?
Is she a sex industry professional?
Does she work in the sex industry?
Vampire Girl, Vampire Girl
As before, 'Vampire Girls' only
I get so intrigued when they look like a vampire girl.
I find it captivating when they have the appearance of a 'Vampire Girl'
If you fall for the rouse, buddy I won't laugh,
If you get tricked, I won't make fun of you, man.
I believe I've fallen for it a couple times myself.
I confess that I've fallen for it a few times too.
Here comes one with a serpentine walk
I see one coming with a sneaky, winding walk
She's coming up to me and she wants to talk
She's walking towards me, and seeking a conversation
Who would have predicted? Who woulda suspected?
Who knew? Who would have thought?
She's not so scary she's got all of my records.
She isn't that scary, in fact, she has all of my records.
Oh, I get so intrigued when they look like a vampire girl.
I feel so enticed when they seem like a 'Vampire Girl'
Go little Vampire Girl
I repeat, keep going little 'Vampire Girl'
Evil, scary, go little vampire girl
Be evil and scary, little 'Vampire Girl'
Writer(s): jonathan richman
Contributed by Juliana G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
gabi
man really said he wanted a goth gf in 1995. truly a visionary
Matthew Taylor
I don't think goths were new in 1995
Uta Atu
We could all use a vampire girl in our lives.
Yo Base
Su versión en español la supera. La vampiresa mujer.
Vicente Díaz
Ambas son grandiosas.
adamantinebellydance
Anyone who dislikes this song clearly doesn't know how to have fun.
Leon Altmark
I don’t know how to have fun and prefer Modern Lovers. It’s my misfortune to be melancholy not in romantic way but in self destructive way. I do like intro a lot tho.
Meliha Montaj
Or doesnt have good aesthetics perception
JonxRios
One of my favorites
Mittens72
Evil now, ya ya, Scarey now, yeah yeah ... Love this song!