Nice Boys
Rose Tattoo Lyrics
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Smell the sweet, sweet perfume
The color faded and the petals died
Down in the city no one cried
And in the streets the garbage lies
Protected by a million flies
With roaches so big they got bones
I say nice boys,don't play rock 'n' roll
Nice boys, don't play rock 'n' roll
I'm not a nice boy!
Sweet sixteen she was fresh and clean
Wanted so bad to be part of the scene
She met the man and she did the smack
And now, she pays the price layin' down on her back
Want so bad just to please the boys
Ended up bein' just a toy
Played so hard burned her life away
Lies were told no promises made
Nice boys, don't play rock'n'roll
Nice boys, don't play rock'n'roll
I'm not a nice boy, and I never was
Young and fresh when she hit town
Hot for kicks just to get around
And now she lays in a filthy room
She kills the pain with a flick and a spoon
And in the streets the garbage lies
Protected by a million flies
With roaches so big they got bones
They moved in and made themselves at home
Nice boys, don't play rock'n'roll
Nice boys, don't play rock'n'roll
Nice boys, don't play rock'n'roll
Nice boys, don't play rock'n'roll
Nice boys, don't play rock'n'roll
Nice boys, don't play rock'n'roll
Nice boys, don't play rock'n'roll
Nice boys, they never play rock'n'roll
The song "Nice Boys" by Rose Tattoo describes the tragic story of a young girl who comes to the city and eventually succumbs to the drug epidemic that ravaged the city during the 80s. The song starts by painting the image of the girl's arrival in the city with a rose in bloom, full of hope and optimism. However, her innocence quickly fades away as she is exposed to the harsh reality of the city. The song describes the filth and decay of the city and the futility of trying to fight against it. The girl's addiction is also described, and how it leads to her being used and discarded by men.
The chorus of the song is a commentary on the idea that “nice boys don’t play rock’n’roll” and suggests that the band members themselves are not “nice boys”. The repeated refrain emphasizes the message that even though the girl wanted to be part of the cool rock’n’roll scene in the city, that very culture was what led to her downfall.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the tragic consequences of drug addiction and the harsh reality of life in the inner city. It tells a story of a young girl who lost her innocence, her dreams, and her life, and serves as a warning about the dangers of falling into that same trap.
Line by Line Meaning
She hit town a rose in bloom
She arrived in town looking vibrant and beautiful.
Smell the sweet, sweet perfume
Her arrival was accompanied by a delightful fragrance.
The color faded and the petals died
Her beauty and freshness vanished over time.
Down in the city no one cried
No one cared or felt sympathy for her when she lost her charms.
And in the streets the garbage lies
There is a lot of dirt and filth in the city.
Protected by a million flies
The decay and decayed matter is infested by many insects.
With roaches so big they got bones
The size of cockroaches are so big that they look like they have bones.
They moved in and made themselves at home
The insects have made the city their habitat.
I say nice boys,don't play rock 'n' roll
The artist believes that good people don't indulge in rock music.
Nice boys, don't play rock 'n' roll
Reiterating the above sentiment.
I'm not a nice boy!
The singer is not a good person and is proud of it.
Sweet sixteen she was fresh and clean
When she was young, she was innocent and pure.
Wanted so bad to be part of the scene
She had a great desire to be accepted into a particular social circle or group.
She met the man and she did the smack
She got addicted to drugs after meeting a man.
And now, she pays the price layin' down on her back
She is now suffering the consequences of her actions, including engaging in prostitution.
Want so bad just to please the boys
She craved male attention and approval.
Ended up bein' just a toy
She became an object that men used and discarded.
Played so hard burned her life away
Her indulgence in reckless activities ruined her life.
Lies were told no promises made
She was deceived and betrayed by those she trusted.
Young and fresh when she hit town
When she first arrived in the city, she was youthful and full of energy.
Hot for kicks just to get around
She was excited to explore the city and engage in adventurous activities.
And now she lays in a filthy room
She is now living in a dirty and unpleasant living space.
She kills the pain with a flick and a spoon
She numbs her emotional and physical pain by using drugs.
Nice boys, they never play rock'n'roll
The artist believes that good people don't engage in the wild and dangerous lifestyle associated with rock music.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gordon Leach, Gary Anderson, Dallas Royall, Michael Cocks, Peter Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alan Strom
Right on Paul.
Guns n Roses rate the Tatts as a major influence.
I saw Buster Brown LIVE when I was may be too young, I think Phil Rudd was on Drums.
I was a young teenager when I saw the original line-up of The Rosie Tatts.
Whoa, what an education.
I stood there struck with awe.
My much older cousin that took me to the gig, thought he was poisoning my mind.
Little did he know, that I would form my own Punk & Rock Bands only a few years later.
LONG LIVE ROCK n ROLL!!!!!!!!
David Luzi
One of the most influent and best rock n roll band of all time !
Dj Thrift
The best band to listen to in an outdated shtty little dive bar shooting pool and doing shots and bmps' in the bathroom! 🤘🔥
THOTH
His voice sounds amazing. Go Angry Anderson!
rodney spittall
l was just thinking the same thing
Joseph Regan
No seriously?Listen his vocals r definitely not 'live'. It's a mix of his original vocal - ie his high notes from original recording mixed in to his live 'tone'. Bands 2day use this tech. It's so annoyingly fake. The last LIVE bands I saw where in tiny club venues - The Japanese band Boris, Then the American band Daddy Long Legs
Both never held back , and they seriously appreciated the audience's reaction.
Joseph Regan
@rodney spittall Just being honest. And I believe in honesty within a band being live.
rodney spittall
@Joseph Regan l had another listen and you may well be right mate.
stephen atkins
I bought scarred for life in 1982 when I was 17 and was instantly hooked I'm 57 now and still loving their music go the rosy tats!!💯💯🇦🇺🇦🇺
Doug Woellner
Beat ya by 2 years mate I’m 59 still listening to the Tatts
Lili Roze
Les records sont fait pour être battus.j’ai 66 ans et j’écoute toujours les roses tatouées.