His first album, Marshall Crenshaw, was acclaimed as a pop masterpiece upon release, proving Crenshaw a first-rate songwriter, singer and guitarist. His second album, Field Day, sported a somewhat heavier sound which displeased some listeners, but Field Day is regarded by many critics as Crenshaw's best album, and one of the classic power pop statements, although Crenshaw's work, like Alex Chilton's, transcends the genre. "Some of the stuff I've done you could call power pop," he told an interviewer. "But the term does have sort of a dodgy connotation."
Although Marshall Crenshaw has never sold enormous numbers of records, he enjoys a reputation as one of the finest songwriters of the era, with roots in classic soul music, British Invasion songcraft, Burt Bacharach and Buddy Holly -- to whom Crenshaw was often compared in the early days of his career, and whom he portrayed in the 1987 film La Bamba. In 1989 he compiled a collection of Capitol Records country performers of the '50s and '60s called Hillbilly Music...Thank God, Vol. 1, which was extremely well-received. In 1993 he made an appearance in the cult TV show The Adventures of Pete and Pete, in the role of a guitar-playing meter reader. In 1994 he published a book, Hollywood Rock: A Guide to Rock 'n' Roll in the Movies. He continues to record, and in 1999 released the critically acclaimed #447.
Crenshaw has recently been playing guitar with the reunited members of the MC5.
Cynical Girl
Marshall Crenshaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm goin' out lookin' for a cynical girl
Who's got no use for the real world
I'm lookin' for a cynical girl
Well I hate TV
There's gotta be somebody other than me
Who's ready to write it off immediately
Well I'll know right away by the look in her eye
She harbors no illusions and she's worldly-wise
And I'll know when I give her a listen that she
She's what I've been missin'
What I've been missin'
I'll be lost in love
And havin' some fun with my cynical girl
Who'll have no use for the real world
I'm lookin' for a cynical girl
Well I'm goin' out
I'm goin' out lookin' for a cynical girl
Who's got no use for the real world
I'm lookin' for a cynical girl
Yeah I'll know right away by the look in her eye
She harbors no illusions and she's worldly-wise
And I'll know when I give her a listen that she
She's what I've been missin'
What I've been missin'
I'll be lost in love
And havin' some fun with my cynical girl
Who'll have no use for the real world
I'm lookin' for a cynical girl
The lyrics to Marshall Crenshaw's song "Cynical Girl" are about a man who is looking for a specific type of woman - a cynical girl. He is tired of the world around him and its superficialities, and seeks someone who shares his point of view. He imagines this woman as someone who is "worldly-wise" and "harbors no illusions," suggesting that she has come to terms with the harsh realities of life. He believes that finding this woman will allow him to finally feel complete, as he has been missing her presence in his life.
The repeated phrase "who's got no use for the real world" is particularly noteworthy, as it implies that the two of them are seeking a different level of existence outside of the mainstream. They are rejecting societal norms and expectations, and instead choosing to live in a more cynical but authentic state. The line "I'll be lost in love and havin' some fun with my cynical girl" shows that despite their cynicism, the two of them can still find joy and happiness together.
Overall, "Cynical Girl" is a commentary on the disillusionment of modern society and the desire for something more authentic. It celebrates those who reject societal expectations and seek a deeper, more meaningful existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm goin' out
The singer is heading out
I'm goin' out lookin' for a cynical girl
The singer is searching for a girl with a cynical attitude
Who's got no use for the real world
The girl the singer is searching for is not interested in living a conventional life
I'm lookin' for a cynical girl
The singer reiterates his desire to find a girl with a cynical outlook
Well I hate TV
The singer dislikes television and its influence on society
There's gotta be somebody other than me
The singer believes there are others who share his opinion on TV
Who's ready to write it off immediately
The singer is looking for someone who is quick to dismiss TV and its impact on society
I'm lookin' for a cynical girl
The singer again emphasizes his desire to find a girl with a cynical attitude
Well I'll know right away by the look in her eye
The singer believes he will be able to identify a girl with a cynical attitude based on her expression
She harbors no illusions and she's worldly-wise
The girl the singer is looking for is knowledgeable about the world and has no delusions about it
And I'll know when I give her a listen that she
The singer will confirm that a girl has a cynical attitude when he speaks to her
She's what I've been missin'
The singer feels incomplete without a girl with a cynical outlook in his life
What I've been missin'
The singer repeats his previous statement for emphasis
I'll be lost in love
The singer will be smitten with the girl he is looking for
And havin' some fun with my cynical girl
The singer will enjoy spending time with the girl he finds
Who'll have no use for the real world
The girl the singer is looking for is not interested in conforming to society's expectations
I'm lookin' for a cynical girl
The singer reiterates his desire to find a girl with a cynical attitude
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARSHALL H CRENSHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind