Boyfriend
Reel Big Fish Lyrics


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All the kids down in London
And everybody in New York City
If they listen to that Alternative
If there fourteen and lookin' pretty

They want me to be their boyfriend
They want me to be their boyfriend
I can take you any place you wanna go
I can show you anything you wanna see
I can be whatever you want me to be
I can be whatever you want me to be

All the girls in the back room
I won't miss 'em when there gone
Don't you know there ain't nobody
You're the only one that turns me on

Don't you want me to be your boyfriend?
Don't you want me to be your boyfriend?
I can take you any place you wanna go




I can show you anything you wanna see
I can be whatever you want me to be

Overall Meaning

The Reel Big Fish's song, "Boyfriend," is an upbeat and catchy tune that is loved by many due to its mix of energetic punk rock music and its romantic lyrics that, on the surface, seem like an earnest love song. However, upon close examination of the lyrics, it becomes clear that the song is a sarcastic jab at the shallow nature of young girls and society's obsession with physical beauty.


The lyrics begin by referencing popular cities like London and New York, where teenagers who listen to alternative music and "look pretty" obsess over finding a boyfriend. The singer of the song acknowledges that he is highly desired by these young girls but also recognizes that they are all the same, interchangeable and replaceable. He lists some of the things he can do for them - take them anywhere, show them anything, and become whoever they want him to be - but his tone reveals that he's not interested in a true connection, only in satisfying their whims.


In the second verse, he sings about the other girls in the back room who won't be missed when they're gone. The singer hints at the loneliness and longing lurking beneath his brash exterior when he sings, "Don't you know there ain't nobody, you're the only one that turns me on." The final chorus of the song requests the listener's attention and asks, "Don't you want me to be your boyfriend?," but it's hard to tell whether it's a genuine request or a continuation of the sarcasm that dominates the entire song.


Overall, "Boyfriend" is a satirical take on dating and relationships in modern society, where physical appearance often trumps deeper connections and sincere emotions. Despite its somewhat bitter message, the song remains a crowd-pleaser thanks to its catchy melody and lively energy.


Line by Line Meaning

All the kids down in London
Referring to young people in London


And everybody in New York City
And all the people in New York City


If they listen to that Alternative
If they like alternative music


If they fourteen and lookin' pretty
If they are fourteen years old and attractive


They want me to be their boyfriend
They want me to be their romantic partner


They want me to be their boyfriend
They want me to be their romantic partner


I can take you any place you wanna go
I can bring you to any location you desire


I can show you anything you wanna see
I can introduce you to anything you are curious about


I can be whatever you want me to be
I can change my personality and behavior to fit your desires


I can be whatever you want me to be
I can change my personality and behavior to fit your desires


All the girls in the back room
Referring to girls in a certain area of a venue


I won't miss 'em when there gone
I won't miss those girls when they leave


Don't you know there ain't nobody
Don't you know that there is nobody else


You're the only one that turns me on
You are the only person who arouses me sexually


Don't you want me to be your boyfriend?
Don't you want me to be your romantic partner?


Don't you want me to be your boyfriend?
Don't you want me to be your romantic partner?


I can take you any place you wanna go
I can bring you to any location you desire


I can show you anything you wanna see
I can introduce you to anything you are curious about


I can be whatever you want me to be
I can change my personality and behavior to fit your desires




Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEVIN RAVENELL, NICOLE SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Krish Shanmugam


on Everyone Else is an Asshole

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