Royal Headache rose out of the bleak underground punk scene of Western Sydn… Read Full Bio ↴Royal Headache rose out of the bleak underground punk scene of Western Sydney, Australia in 2008. In part as a response to the gloomy post-punk bands happening at the time of its founding, the group infused its garage punk core with a hearty dose of '60s-inspired AM radio soul-pop. Going by foreshortened nicknames, the band consisted of Shogun on vocals, Joe on bass, Shortty on drums, and Law on guitar. The quartet quickly made a name for itself on the strength of a self-produced 7" and began playing locally. In 2011 the band released its self-titled debut LP on R.I.P. Society in Australia. The record was produced by Mikey Young, influential godfather of the Aussie punk scene and full-time member of Eddy Current Suppression Ring. This collection of incredibly catchy, punk-tinged power soul was met with a positive response almost across the board from the underground press, and gained the band much wider recognition. Tours of Europe and the United States followed, and in early 2012 the group's first record was re-released by What's Your Rupture? in America. Further success followed for the band as critical plaudits piled up and a tour of Australia with the Black Keys followed. The touring and lifestyle took a toll and in 2013 Shogun left the band. During their time apart Joe played in the band Bed Wetting Bad Boys and Shogun took on guitar duties for the group Low Life. The band reconvened to play some shows, including a tumultuous night at Sydney's Royal Opera House, and began working on its second album. Made up of songs that were begun around the time the first record was released, Royal Headache added some keyboards from friend Gabrielle De Giorgio, and worked to expand their sound. High was released in late August of 2015, again on What's Your Rupture?

Biography by Fred Thomas

Girls
Royal Headache Lyrics

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Girls!
Think they're too fine for me.
Ohh, girls!
and I'm inclined to agree.
Yeh.
I wait, oh she waits, does she wait for me?
She looks great in an altered state,
Pretty isn't she?...

Ohh, girls!
Think they're too fine for me.
Ohh, girls!
and I'm inclined to agree.
Yeh.
I wait, oh she waits, does she wait for me?
She looks great in an altered state,
Pretty isn't she?...
Ohhh, oooh.
Didn't I tell you? Over and over,
I want the key to your heart.
Didn't I tell you? Over and over,
I want the key to your heart.
I wait, oh she waits, does she wait for me?
She looks great in an altered state,

Pretty isn't she?...
Ohh, girls...

Overall Meaning

The song "Girls" by Australian punk rock band, Royal Headache, is an upbeat track that centers around the theme of unrequited love. The lyrics express the frustration and longing of the singer who admires girls but feels that they are out of his league. The repeated phrase, "Think they're too fine for me," highlights his lack of confidence and self-esteem. The singer recognizes that he is not worthy of the girls' attention, and even agrees with their opinion. However, he still wishes that they would give him a chance.

The line "She looks great in an altered state" suggests that the singer may be interested in girls who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. While this may seem troubling, it could also be interpreted as a youthful desire for excitement and spontaneity. In the chorus, the singer pleads with a specific girl for the key to her heart. He has likely expressed his feelings to her before, hence the line "Didn't I tell you? Over and over."

Overall, "Girls" is a catchy and relatable song that captures the feelings of wanting what one cannot have. It is a testament to the universality of teenage heartbreak and the longing for acceptance.

Line by Line Meaning

Girls!
The singer is calling out to all girls.

Think they're too fine for me.
The singer believes that some girls think they are too good for him.

Ohh, girls!
The singer continues to call out to all girls.

and I'm inclined to agree.
The singer agrees that some girls are too fine for him.

Yeh.
Simple affirmation.

I wait, oh she waits, does she wait for me?
The singer wonders if a specific girl he likes is waiting for him too.

She looks great in an altered state,
The girl the singer likes looks great even when under the influence of something.

Pretty isn't she?...
A rhetorical question to express admiration of the girl's appearance.

Didn't I tell you? Over and over,
The singer has expressed his interest in this girl multiple times before.

I want the key to your heart.
The singer wants to have a deeper connection with this girl.

Ohhh, oooh.
Vocalization to express strong emotions.