I Miss The Girl
Soul Coughing Lyrics


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Daughter to the pop veneer
Shining like a new mint quarter
Shining like the Franklin Mint
Seedy like the lampshade quarter

Rolling with the dopes you know
Rolling with the wrong gun on you
Going down to Baltimore
Going in an off-white Honda

Oh I miss the girl, miss the girl, miss the girl
I want to give myself to the water
Speeding to the rupture line
Rat-a-tatting boombox moocher

Darling with the boop shuh-nai
Rat-a-tatting lose your future
I dream that she aims to be the bllom upon my misery
She rocks the mop style, she needs the rest





And I know it's not the same thing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Soul Coughing's "I Miss The Girl" are complex and multi-layered, with a range of possible interpretations. The song seems to be about a woman who is caught up in a world of drugs and danger, but who is captivating nonetheless. The singer is drawn to this woman, even as he recognizes the danger and uncertainty that surround her.


The first verse describes the woman as the "daughter to the pop veneer," which suggests that she is a product of the superficial, image-driven culture of American pop music. However, she also shines "like a new mint quarter" and "like the Franklin Mint," which suggests that she has an inherent value that transcends the world of commercial culture. At the same time, she is "seedy like the lampshade quarter," which suggests that she is also caught up in darker, more dangerous aspects of life.


The second verse describes the singer's own relationship to the woman, as he "rolls with the dopes" and "rolls with the wrong gun on [him]." They are "going down to Baltimore" in an "off-white Honda," which suggests that they are on some kind of dangerous mission together. Despite the risks, the singer misses the girl and wants to "give [him]self to the water" in order to be closer to her.


The chorus repeats the phrase "Oh I miss the girl" three times, emphasizing the singer's longing and desire for this woman. He is "speeding to the rupture line" and hearing the "rat-a-tatting boombox moocher," which suggests that danger and excitement are never far away.


The third verse describes the girl as a "darling with the boop shuh-nai" who is "rat-a-tatting lose your future." This suggests that she is charismatic and alluring, but also destructive in some way. The singer dreams that she will be the "bllom upon [his] misery," which suggests that he sees her as a source of hope and redemption. However, she "rocks the mop style" and "needs the rest," which suggests that she is tired of the life she leads.


Overall, "I Miss The Girl" is a complex and haunting song that explores the themes of danger, desire, and complexity. The girl at the center of the song is both alluring and dangerous, and the singer is drawn to her despite the risks. The chorus repeats the phrase "I miss the girl" three times, emphasizing the singer's desire for her, while the verses explore the dark and complex world in which she lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Daughter to the pop veneer
Someone who may appear to be innocent and charming like a pop star


Shining like a new mint quarter
Looking polished and flawless like a brand new coin


Shining like the Franklin Mint
Appearing beautiful and valuable like a Franklin Mint collectible


Seedy like the lampshade quarter
Having a disreputable and shady character like a worn-out lampshade


Rolling with the dopes you know
Hanging out with familiar but foolish people


Rolling with the wrong gun on you
Carrying the wrong weapon while being accompanied by negative influences


Going down to Baltimore
Going towards a rough and dangerous place


Going in an off-white Honda
Traveling in a bland and unremarkable car


Oh I miss the girl, miss the girl, miss the girl
Expressing the deep longing and desire for the presence of a particular girl


I want to give myself to the water
Feeling the urge to liberate oneself and let go to the elements


Speeding to the rupture line
Heading quickly towards a breaking point or a breakdown


Rat-a-tatting boombox moocher
A person who listens to loud and rhythmic music on a borrowed device


Darling with the boop shuh-nai
Addressing or describing a woman who has a distinctive feature, such as a long nose


Rat-a-tatting lose your future
Losing sight of long-term prospects while enjoying the present moment


I dream that she aims to be the bllom upon my misery
Imagining that the desired girl could bring happiness and hope to an otherwise turbulent life


She rocks the mop style, she needs the rest
A reference to the girl's hairstyle and saying that she probably deserves a break or some relaxation


And I know it's not the same thing
Admitting that reality does not completely match ideals or aspirations




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK DEGLIANTONI, MICHAEL DOUGHTY, SEBASTIAN STEINBERG, YUVAL GABAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

twalsh06

Some of the best bass work in any modern music.

john renolds

I can't for the life of me pick a favorite song of theirs! ALL OF THEM ARE SO FUCKING GOOD!!!!

Russell Solomon

I just went down to Baltimore with my dad and bro-in-law. This song was playing in my head the whole time. I'm also currently missing a girl. :/

BrownanDownable

Back in the 90's, I only like a couple of their songs. But today, they all sound so damn great. Especially today compared to everything else.

Tim Martin

Soul Coughing Rule!!! EL OSO all the way. Loved these guys for Donkeys

Georg Brandt

nice drums, nice bass, nice drum n' bass!

Snowdensz

Every member of Soul Coughing absolutely despised each other, and frontman Mike Doughty, who's been running a pretty sweet solo career for the last decade, says that he doesn't regret splitting the band up at all. Your comment makes Mike Doughty sad. :[

thesearethesuns

@kilbair These guys were amazing, especially M. Doughty. In their heyday, they had a unique and stand-out sound, and wrote really interesting songs that still sound cool.

gotaminutereviews

Said I miss the band Miss the band Miss the band I hope they make another album

Faux Kima

Sadly they won't ;( They disbanded in 2000..

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