PWR BTTM is a queer punk band consisting of Ben Hopkins and Liv Bruce. The … Read Full Bio ↴PWR BTTM is a queer punk band consisting of Ben Hopkins and Liv Bruce. The band was formed at Bard College where Bruce and Hopkins bonded over a mutual interest in bringing elements of performance and drag artistry into DIY culture. While at Bard the duo recorded a demo, Cinderella Beauty Shop, and the Republican National Convention split EP with Jawbreaker Reunion. On these releases, Hopkins plays guitar and sings, and Bruce plays drums. Since then, the two have begun to share vocal/songwriting duties and have also started to trade off instruments. This development is very much apparent on their LP, Ugly Cherries, an album documenting the duo's experiences with queerness, gender, and adulthood over the course of a year of living in upstate New York.

http://pwrbttm.bandcamp.com/releases

House In Virginia
PWR BTTM Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey there baby
Why are you so
Handsome, Gaymazing
and nice
Makes me want to stay up all night
Because i'm sick of waiting up, Sick of going downtown

Hey there baby

Why are you so
Beautiful, Handsome, Gaymazing
and nice
Makes me want to stay up all night
Because i'm sick of staying up, Sick of going downx4

I've got a friend
He's at the end
At his house in virginia with me

I hope this friend
He'll understand
That i just need a second to breathe
And i'll stay up all night

I've got a friend
He's at the end at his house in virginia with me
He'll understand
He'll act like a man
We'll see in the morning

we'll see
And i'll stay up all night

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of PWR BTTM's song "House in Virginia" convey the intensity of the singer's emotions, as she's overwhelmed by the beauty and goodness of her partner, addressed as "handsome, Gaymazing, and nice". The repetition of a sequence of adjectives reinforces the message of admiration and love, while the line "Because I'm sick of waiting up, sick of going downtown" suggests a previous struggle to find someone special, someone worth staying up all night for.

The second verse repeats the praising of the partner, emphasizing the singer's desire to spend more time together, to keep admiring his qualities. Again, the line "Because I'm sick of staying up, sick of going down" highlights the desperation of wanting something more meaningful and enduring than casual hookups or one-night stands.

The last two verses refer to a friend's house in Virginia, to which the singer has fled with the hope to find some peace and reflection. The image of taking a "second to breathe" can evoke different interpretations: it can signify taking a break from a tumultuous relationship, dealing with feelings of anxiety, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the environment. The lyrics are enriched by the use of metaphors and puns, with the repeated play on words that suggests an underlying irony or sassiness that permeates PWR BTTM's songs.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey there baby
Addressing someone affectionately

Why are you so
Expressing admiration

Handsome, Gaymazing
Complimenting their physical appearance and sexual identity

and nice
Praising their personality

Makes me want to stay up all night
Being so attracted to them that they can't sleep

Because i'm sick of waiting up, Sick of going downtown
Tired of the hookup culture and searching for a deeper connection

I've got a friend
Referring to a confidant

He's at the end
In a difficult place

At his house in virginia with me
Together, seeking comfort and support

I hope this friend
Expressing a desire

He'll understand
Feeling secure in the friendship