Her self-titled debut album, Mathilde Santing, came out in 1982 and she gas released well over fifteen studio albums since, most of them sung in English, although she sometimes performs and records in her mother tongue as well. Known for her whispery and vulnerable vocal style, Santing is a prominent gay role model in The Netherlands. She sang at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1998 Gay Games in Amsterdam.
Santing's biggest chart success came in 1999 with the lush ballad 'Wonderful Life', which hit #6 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was taken from the 1999 album To Others To One, which is her highest charting album in her native Netherlands to date, reaching #4 in the Dutch album charts.
Pretty Boy
Mathilde Santing Lyrics
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Do we have a tough guy from the streets'
And he looks just like that dancing wop
In those movies that we've seen
With his cute little chicken shit boots on
And his cute little chicken shit hat
And his cute little chicken shit girlfriend
Ridin' along in the back
What's been happening to you boys'
Are you having a nice time on your trip'
All the way from Jersey City
You look pretty as a picture
Please don't hurt no one tonight
Please don't break no woman's heart
How about it, you little prick'
How about it'
I hope we're gonna get the chance
To show you around
I hope we're gonna get the chance
To show you around
Talk to to me, Pretty Boy
Tell us all about the mean streets of home
Talk to to me
C'mon Pretty Boy, talk to to me
The lyrics of Mathilde Santing's song "Pretty Boy" seem to be directed towards a man, possibly someone that the singer sees as an outsider or a tough guy from the streets. The first verse uses derogatory language and stereotypes to describe this man, from his "cute little chicken shit boots" to his "cute little chicken shit girlfriend" riding along in the back. The singer then asks what's been happening to the boys and if they're having a nice time on their trip, seemingly sarcastic and mocking.
In the chorus, there's a shift in tone and the singer expresses a desire to show these "tough guys" around and learn about their experiences on the mean streets of home. They even refer to the man as "Pretty Boy" in an almost affectionate manner, asking them to talk to them and share their stories.
The meaning behind the lyrics is open to interpretation, as it could be seen as an ironic commentary on toxic masculinity and societal expectations of what it means to be a tough guy, or it could be a genuine attempt to break down barriers and connect with someone from a different background.
Line by Line Meaning
Have we got a tough guy here'
Do we have a guy with a tough exterior here?
And he looks just like that dancing wop
He resembles the confident Italian-American men in old movies.
With his cute little chicken shit boots on
He wears flamboyant shoes that are rather obnoxious in style.
And his cute little chicken shit hat
He also wears an annoying hat that may be too small for him.
And his cute little chicken shit girlfriend
His girlfriend seems equally obnoxious and out of place.
What's been happening to you boys'
What's new with you all?
All the way from Jersey City
You made it all the way from Jersey City, huh?
You look pretty as a picture
You all look handsome and stylish.
Please don't hurt no one tonight
Please don't cause harm or trouble tonight.
Please don't break no woman's heart
Also, don't cause any emotional pain to women.
How about it, you little prick'
What do you have to say for yourself, you annoying person?
I hope we're gonna get the chance To show you around
I'm excited to show you our world and culture.
Talk to to me, Pretty Boy
Please share your stories with me, Pretty Boy.
Tell us all about the mean streets of home
Please tell us everything about where you come from.
C'mon Pretty Boy, talk to to me
Please don't be shy and share more with me, Pretty Boy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind