Living Colour rose to fame with their debut album Vivid in 1988. Although the band scored a number of hits, they are best remembered for their signature anthem "Cult of Personality", which won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990. They were also named Best New Artist at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards and won their second Grammy Award for their follow-up album Time's Up. After disbanding in 1995, Living Colour reunited in late 2000.
Glamour Boys
Living Colour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The glamour boys have it all under control
Always dancing and always laughing
The glamour boys are playing the role
The glamour boys never have no money
The glamour boys wear the most expensive clothes
The glamour boys are always at the party
I ain't no glamour boy - I'M FIERCE
I ain't no glamour boy - (snap)
I ain't no glamour boy - I'M FIERCE
I ain't no glamour boy
The glamour boys live off their ambition
The glamour boys have it all figured out
A very, very dubious position
When you got no clout
The glamour boys whole life is a gamble
They might get over or fall flat on their face
But if one does, there's no need to worry
Another G-Boy will take this place
I ain't no glamour boy - I'M FIERCE
The glamour boys don't think tomorrow
The glamour boys just need tonight to play
But just like things you can't afford on credit
Time catches up and you have to pay
The glamour boys are always on the guest list
You'll always find them in the hottest spots in town
They'll be your friend if you have fame or fortune
If you don't they won't be hanging 'round
I ain't no glamour boy - I'M FIERCE
Living Colour's song Glamour Boys was released in 1988 and is a critique of the people who put on a facade of being rich, famous, and cool, but in reality, are living off ambition and have no clout. The lyrics are a commentary on the culture of excess and superficiality that pervaded the late 80s, where people placed a high value on material possessions and social status. The song highlights the fact that these fads are flush and susceptible to fade away quickly.
The glamour boys are portrayed as individuals who are always dancing and laughing, wearing expensive clothes, and attending the hottest parties in town. They are confident and full of bravado, and believe that they are divas that have everything under control. They have no money and are living off their ambition, which is a very dubious position to be in as they have no clout or leverage. The lyrics suggest that their whole lives are a gamble, and they may either get over or fall flat. They live only for the moment and do not worry about tomorrow, but in reality, they will have to pay the price of their excesses.
Living Colour challenges the culture of glorifying superficiality by stating that they ain't no glamour boy but are fierce. The underlying message of the song is to expose the shallow materialistic culture of the 80s that placed too much emphasis on looks rather than character. The song insinuates that these people are not authentic, and their character is superficially based on the clothes they wear and the parties they attend.
Line by Line Meaning
The glamour boys swear they are a diva
Glamour boys think of themselves as divas
The glamour boys have it all under control
Glamour boys think they are in control of their lives
Always dancing and always laughing
Glamour boys are always happy and carefree
The glamour boys are playing the role
Glamour boys are pretending to be something they are not
The glamour boys never have no money
Glamour boys are always broke
The glamour boys wear the most expensive clothes
Glamour boys wear expensive clothes they can't afford
The glamour boys are always at the party
Glamour boys are always partying
Where the money comes from heaven only knows
It is unknown where the money that glamour boys spend comes from
I ain't no glamour boy - I'M FIERCE
The singer is not a glamour boy but is instead strong and powerful
The glamour boys live off their ambition
Glamour boys rely on their ambition to survive
The glamour boys have it all figured out
Glamour boys think they have everything figured out
A very, very dubious position
Their position is very uncertain and questionable
When you got no clout
When you have no power or influence
The glamour boys whole life is a gamble
Glamour boys' lives are uncertain and high risk
They might get over or fall flat on their face
They may either succeed or fail terribly
But if one does, there's no need to worry
If one glamour boy fails, another one will take their place
Another G-Boy will take this place
Another glamour boy will replace the one who failed
The glamour boys don't think tomorrow
Glamour boys don't think about the future
The glamour boys just need tonight to play
Glamour boys only care about having fun tonight
But just like things you can't afford on credit
Just like things you can't buy on credit
Time catches up and you have to pay
Eventually, glamour boys will have to face the consequences of their actions
The glamour boys are always on the guest list
Glamour boys are always invited to exclusive events
You'll always find them in the hottest spots in town
They are always hanging out in the trendy places in town
They'll be your friend if you have fame or fortune
Glamour boys will only befriend you if you're famous or wealthy
If you don't they won't be hanging 'round
If you're not famous or wealthy, glamour boys won't be your friend
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: VERNON ALPHONSUS REID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shawn
One of the most underrated music groups of all time. These guys were so ahead of their time, and they are all top notch musicians
Shawn
Yeah... I wonder... hmmmmm 🤔
Lore
Sabes en qué película se utilizó este tema?
tleeg74
Great band
Melissa Forbes
Bang on the money!
Tony Leva
Saw them open for the Stones in 89. Unbelievablely good live band.
Mark
Living Colour was SO far ahead of their times with every song. They just blow the roof off every time. Incredible talent.
DBM Drums
You said it brother.
Cc vlogs
Was at the concert hall in Toronto, the ceiling did come down!
Sari Arterburn
I know, this is so present and pertinent. I wish I could edit the Ken heads to be YT personalities.