Boys Peel Out
Mercury Rev Lyrics


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Brains on your head
Shoes on your feet
Life still living [why still live?] from week to week
And cheek to cheek
Waitin' for the phone to blink
Waitin' for the phone to blink
Waitin' for the blow to snow
Skating around
The only place you know
Prayin' for your hair to grow
Now your mama say
Back before the war
Everything was sugar free
Everything was sugar free
A girl's heart
Was filled with stars
And the boys peeled out
In muscle cars
Back before the war
The boys peeled out
In muscle cars
Before the war
Everything was sugar free
Everything was sugar free
A girl's heart
Was filled with stars
And your mom say
Back before the war
Everything was sugar free
Everything was sugar free
A girl's heart
Was filled with stars
And the boys peeled out
In muscle cars
Ya got brains on your head
And shoes on your feet
Life still living from week to week
And cheek to cheek
Waitin' around
Waitin' around for the phone to blink
Waitin' around
Brains on your head
Shoes on your feet
Brains on your head
Shoes on your feet
Brains on your head




Shoes on your feet
Life still living from week to week

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mercury Rev's song Boys Peel Out paint a picture of a nostalgic past and a sense of longing for a time that was seemingly carefree. The song is characterized by its use of repetition as the singer repeatedly informs the listener that they have "brains on your head and shoes on your feet," yet still remain "waitin' for the phone to blink" and "skating around the only place you know."


The line "back before the war" is repeated throughout the song, which could refer to any number of wars throughout human history, but the lack of specificity serves to evoke a sense of a time before any conflict, before the world was tainted by war and division. The idea that "everything was sugar free" further reinforces this sense of a golden, idyllic era.


The refrain "and the boys peeled out in muscle cars" adds an element of rebellion and excitement to the song. It highlights the idea of teenage freedom and reckless abandon, a simple time when life was less complicated. Overall, the lyrics of Boys Peel Out depict a yearning for a simpler past, a longing to return to a time unburdened by the complexities of modern life.


Line by Line Meaning

Brains on your head
You possess the power to think and make decisions


Shoes on your feet
You have the ability to move and walk forward


Life still living [why still live?] from week to week
You continue to exist and strive through each passing week


And cheek to cheek
You are physically close and intimate with someone


Waitin' for the phone to blink
You anxiously await communication or news from someone


Waitin' for the blow to snow
You anticipate a significant event or change to come


Skating around
You are aimlessly moving about or avoiding something


The only place you know
You are comfortable and familiar with a particular location or situation


Prayin' for your hair to grow
You are wishing for something to change or improve in your life


Now your mama say
Your mother is telling you something


Back before the war
Referring to a time before a major or significant event


Everything was sugar free
Life was simpler and less complicated


A girl's heart
A woman's emotions and feelings


Was filled with stars
She had hopeful and ambitious aspirations


And the boys peeled out
Young men raced and sped away in their cars


In muscle cars
Specifically in fast and powerful vehicles


Ya got brains on your head
You are still capable of thought and decision-making


And shoes on your feet
You still have the ability to move and make choices


Life still living from week to week
You continue to exist and survive each passing week


And cheek to cheek
You remain close and intimate with someone


Waitin' around for the phone to blink
You still eagerly anticipate communication or news from someone


Brains on your head
Your capability for thought and decision-making persists


Shoes on your feet
You still have the ability to move forward and take action


Brains on your head
Your intelligence and decision-making ability remain


Shoes on your feet
Your ability to move and take action still exists


Life still living from week to week
You continue to survive and exist as time passes




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVID BAKER, DAVID FRIDMAN, JONATHAN DONAHUE, SEAN MACKOWIAC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Matthew Puhr

So damn good. Thanks for upping this especially with the album art. Def want to add this to my record collection!

The Lying Facts

Wow! Such a great track!

Filipe Esgrouviado

brilliant ...jazzy vibe ...top tune