In the summer of 1980 the Cats found themselves being courted by the elite of the music world including Virgin Records, Stiff Records and Arista records. Word quickly spread and soon members of the Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin were at their shows. After a gig in London, Stray Cats met producer Dave Edmunds, well known as a roots rock enthusiast for his work with Rockpile and as a solo artist. Edmunds offered to work with the group, and they entered the studio to record their self-titled debut album, Stray Cats, released in England in 1981 on Arista Records. They had three hits that year with "Runaway Boys", "Rock This Town," and "Stray Cat Strut." The UK follow-up to Stray Cats, Gonna Ball, was not as well-received, providing no hits. But the combined sales of their first two albums was enough to convince EMI America to compile the best tracks from the two UK albums and issue an album (Built for Speed) in the U.S. in 1982. The record went on to sell double platinum in the US and Canada and was the #2 record on the Billboard album charts for 26 weeks.
Runaway Boys
Stray Cats Lyrics
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Mom and Dad cursed the day you were born,
Throw your clothes into a duffle bag
Shoutin' as ya slam the door home is a drag
Who can I turn to and where can I stay ?
I heard a place is open all night and all day
There's a place you can go where the cops don't know
Runaway boys
Your hair's all greasy and you feel like a slob,
You're only fifteen and you can't get a job,
Go into the luncheonette and shoot a few games
Losing all your quarters, man it's always the same
Steal a couple of bucks to buy a new toy,
Slip into the alley with the
Runaway boys
Runnin' faster, faster all the time
You're under age and God knows, that's a crime !
Runaway boys
The lyrics of Stray Cats' song "Runaway Boys" depict the perspective of a young boy who has been kicked out of his house by his parents. He feels lost and doesn't know where to go, but he remembers hearing about a place where he can go and be free. The song describes his journey as he wanders around, feeling like a slob with greasy hair, unable to find a job due to his young age. He resorts to shooting games at a luncheonette and stealing some money to buy a new toy. He then runs away, feeling unstoppable and wild, like the cops won't treat him like a child.
The lyrics of "Runaway Boys" are a powerful representation of the rebellious spirit of youth, the frustration that young people feel when they are unable to fit into the mold of society, and the need to break free and express themselves. The song speaks to the universal feelings of teenage angst and the search for identity, and it does so in a catchy and fun manner that resonates with fans of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Get kicked out for coming home at dawn,
You were thrown out of your house because you came back at dawn.
Mom and Dad cursed the day you were born,
Your parents are so angry at you that they wish they never had you.
Throw your clothes into a duffle bag
You packed up all your clothes in a bag.
shoutin' as ya slam the door home is a drag
As you leave, you shout that living at home is awful.
Who can I turn to and where can I stay?
You're looking for someone or somewhere to help you.
I heard a place is open all night and all day
You heard about a place that never closes.
There's a place you can go where the cops don't know
You found a place where the police won't find you.
You can act real wild they don't treat you like a child
You can behave however you want, and they won't treat you like a kid.
Your hair's all greasy and you feel like a slob,
You look messy and feel like a lazy person.
You're only fifteen and you can't get a job,
You're underage, and no one will hire you.
Go into the luncheonette and shoot a few games
You play video games at the luncheonette.
Losing all your quarters, man it's always the same
You always lose your money playing games.
Steal a couple of bucks to buy a new toy,
You steal some money to buy a new toy.
Slip into the alley with the
You sneak into the alley with other runaway boys.
Runaway boys
You are one of the runaway boys who are trying to escape their troubles.
Runnin' faster, faster all the time
You run as quickly as possible to escape whatever is chasing you.
You're under age and God knows, that's a crime!
You're too young to be on your own, and that's a violation of the law.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN SETZER, JAMES MC DONNELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@keith4886
One of the greatest three piece bands that ever came out of America.
@mberge1
Ronkonkoma, Long Island I think
@finddeniro
A Trio..
@finddeniro
Treo..
@finddeniro
Tri pods..
@wesleybrown4397
Heck yeah
@morganvon5664
How timeless is this music? It's still amazing nearly 40 years later.
@Robil63
80
@NicolaGoodliffe
One of the greatest bands of all time.
@charlesaguilar1708
Magnificent Guitar work by Brian S.