Before beginning his solo career, Fulks joined the Bluegrass band Special Consensus. Here he showcased his unique guitar playing, and appeared on the Grammy-nominated album "Hole In My Heart" released in 1989. Fulks' solo debut, "Country Love Songs" was released on Bloodshot Records in 1996 to positive reviews. This album was followed by 1997's South Mouth, which cemented Fulks' retro-alternative image.
As fans had grown used to Bloodshot's rough and sparse sound, many were shocked by the release of Fulks' third album, 1998's "Let's Kill Saturday Night," on Geffen Records. When Geffen disbanded shortly after the release of the record, Fulks found himself without a label, and did the logical thing, starting his own company, Boondoggle Records (distributed by Bloodshot), and releasing an album of previously unreleased material called "The Very Best of Robbie Fulks."
2001 saw the release of both "Couples in Trouble," a dark, brooding, and decidedly non-country album, and, just 3 months later, "13 Hillbilly Giants," a collection of covers of classic country numbers both obscure and well known.
Fulks would not release another album until 2005, when the release of "Georgia Hard" showed a return to his county roots. He also gained attention for a novelty single he wrote called "Fountains of Wayne Hotline," in which he imagined the power pop band Fountains of Wayne as having a hotline which struggling songwriters could call for help with their song structure.
Dirty-Mouthed Flo
Robbie Fulks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the boys at the RR say she's a flat firebrand
Yeah but they don't know how the dirty words fair her
When she's tearin' up the bed with a natural goodtime man
I remember the night I met her
I was starin' down a G and T
When a gal let fly with an F-word
The bartender said "Hey, buddy
Don't even let it cross your mind"
But I took her home, and I'm glad I did
'Cause I found the heart that the mouth kept hid
She's a whole different women when the lights get low
Dirty-mouthed Flo
Well, it sure beats me how a woman
As filthy as a pig at a trough
Can turn to a perfect angel
The second that her clothes come off
But when Flo gets her love-gears goin'
Her tongue quits workin' awhile
And nestled in satin with her legs spread wide
She looks sweeter than a July bride
And it won't be long 'til down to the chapel I'll go
With dirty-mouthed Flo
Robbie Fulks's song Dirty-Mouthed Flo is a witty take on the idea that talking dirty in bed can be a turn on. The song is about a woman named Flo, who cusses like a sailor, but is transformed into a delicate angel in the bedroom. The singer first meets Flo in a bar where she swears with abandon, much to the chagrin of the other patrons. Despite them warning him off, the singer takes her home and discovers that her rough exterior conceals a tender heart.
The lyrics adeptly use humor to explore the idea that our personalities can be vastly different when we are in a sexual situation. Flo's dirty language may shock people in the pub, but it is a vital part of her sexuality that makes her a "natural goodtime man." Likewise, the singer's initial reluctance is overcome when he sees this softer side of Flo. The contrast between Flo's foul-mouthed public persona and her private, shy demeanor outlines the double standards we have when it comes to sex.
Overall, Dirty-Mouthed Flo is a raunchy but charming ode to the transformative power of sexual intimacy. It's a reminder that sometimes, it's only when people strip off their civilized exteriors and let loose that they can truly connect with one another.
Line by Line Meaning
Dirty-mouthed Flo, she cusses like a sailor
Flo uses profanity just like a sailor does.
And the boys at the RR say she's a flat firebrand
People at RR, consider her a controversial and difficult person.
Yeah, but they don't know how the dirty words fair her
However, they don't know how her use of profanity makes her feel.
When she's tearin' up the bed with a natural good-time man
When she's having passionate sex with a man who shares her enthusiasm.
I remember the night I met her
The artist recalls the night he met Flo.
I was starin' down a G&T
He was drinking a gin and tonic.
When a gal let fly with an F-word
When Flo loudly used the F-word.
I had to look around and see
He looked around to see if anyone noticed Flo's outburst.
The bartender said "Hey, buddy
The bartender warned the artist.
Don't even let it cross your mind"
Not to entertain the thought of going home with Flo.
But I took her home, and I'm glad I did
The singer went home with Flo, and he was happy with the decision.
'Cause I found the heart that the mouth kept hid
He discovered Flo's true personality that is often hidden behind her coarse language.
She's a whole different woman when the lights get low
Flo has a completely different personality during intimate moments.
Dirty-mouthed Flo
The title of the song, that refers to a woman who swears a lot.
Well, it sure beats me how a woman
The singer is amazed at how Flo transforms.
As filthy as a pig at a trough
Flo's profanity is compared to a pig eating at a trough.
Can turn to a perfect angel
But she transforms in the bedroom into a loving companion.
The second that her clothes come off
Flo changes immediately when she undresses.
But when Flo gets her love-gears goin'
Flo's passion drives her swearing down.
Her tongue quits workin' awhile
She stops using vulgar language.
And nestled in satin with her legs spread wide
Flo takes on a more romantic persona in bed.
She looks sweeter than a July bride
She looks beautiful and radiant.
And it won't be long 'til down to the chapel I'll go
The singer wants to marry Flo.
With dirty-mouthed Flo
The artist still loves Flo, even with her swearing.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ROBERT WILLIAMS FULKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind