Phair's 1993 debut studio album, Exile in Guyville, was released to acclaim; it has been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Phair followed this with her second album, Whip-Smart (1994), which earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, and Whitechocolatespaceegg (1998). Ten years after the release of her debut, Phair's fourth album, Liz Phair (2003), released on Capitol Records, moved towards pop rock, earning her a mainstream audience but alienating critics.
After the release of her fifth album, Somebody's Miracle (2005), Phair left Capitol and released her sixth album Funstyle independently in 2010. In 2018, it was announced that Matador Records would be releasing a retrospective set for Phair's debut album Exile in Guyville which includes remastered recordings from her original Girly-Sound demo tapes. Phair released her seventh studio album, Soberish, in 2021.
Soap Star Joe
Liz Phair Lyrics
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In a long line of heroes
Looking for something attractive to save
They say he rode in
On the back of a pickup
And he won't leave town
'Til you remember his name
In a long line of heroes
Looking for some lonely billboard to grace
They say he sprung from the skull of Athena
Think about your own head
And the headache he gave
He's just a hero
In a long line of heroes
Looking for action at a price he can pay
They say he's famous
But no one can prove it
Make him an offer just to see what he'll say
Check out the dashboard lights
Glowing all green and white
He feels safe in the dark
He wears his bluejeans tight
He's just a hero
In a long line of heroes
Looking for something attractive to save
They say he rode in
On the back of a pickup
And he won't leave town
'Til you remember his name
Check out the thinning hair
Check out the aftershave
Check out America
You're looking at it babe
The lyrics in Liz Phair's "Soap Star Joe" describe a character who embodies the image of a stereotypical hero: someone strong, confident and heroic who swoops in to save the damsel-in-distress. He rides into town on the back of a pickup truck, looking for something attractive to save and a lonely billboard to grace. He does all this in the hope of becoming famous, but even though he's rumored to be famous, nobody can prove it. The song's lyrics do not paint a flattering portrait of the hero; instead, it highlights his self-centered attitude and constant need for attention.
The song can also be interpreted as a critique of the shallow nature of the entertainment industry, where individuals like Soap Star Joe seek fame, fortune and attention. The line "Check out America, you're looking at it babe" suggests that the entertainment industry is not just limited to Soap Star Joe but also includes the audience that feeds into this celebrity-obsessed culture.
Overall, "Soap Star Joe" is a biting commentary on the nature of the entertainment industry and those who seek to make a name for themselves within it.
Line by Line Meaning
He's just a hero
The singer is highlighted as a hero.
In a long line of heroes
The singer is part of a heritage of heroes.
Looking for something attractive to save
The hero searches for an engaging cause to help.
They say he rode in
People talk about the artist.
On the back of a pickup
He arrived at the scene in a pickup truck.
And he won't leave town
'Til you remember his name
The hero wants to leave an everlasting ‘name’ behind.
They say he sprung from the skull of Athena
People suggest the hero to be born of Athena's skull.
Think about your own head
And the headache he gave
The listeners should consider the effect the artist had on them.
Looking for action at a price he can pay
The hero is searching for meaningful work within his budget.
They say he's famous
People mention the artist to be famous.
But no one can prove it
The claim of his fame lacks evidence.
Make him an offer just to see what he'll say
The listeners are dared to challenge the hero.
Check out the dashboard lights
The view shifts to the dashboard of the singer’s car.
Glowing all green and white
The color scheme of the car's dashboard is described.
He feels safe in the dark
The hero finds comfort in obscurity.
He wears his bluejeans tight
The hero has a distinct fashion sense.
Check out the thinning hair
The hero's aging effect is noticed.
Check out the aftershave
The singer’s fragrance is brought up.
Check out America
The ‘hero’ epitomizes America.
You're looking at it babe
The phrase emphasizes the pinnacle of falsehood in America.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LIZ PHAIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind