Vincent Walker - Lead vocals, trumpet, guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboard (2005–present), trumpet, backing vocals (1998–2004)
Chris Lucca - trumpet (2013–present, 2009-2013 touring)
Brian "Robot" Robertson - trombone, backing vocals (1998–present)
Brian Klemm - lead guitar, vocals (1999–present)
Brad Polidori - bass, backing vocals (2010–present)
Edward Larsen - drums (2013–present)
Touring members
Desperate
Suburban Legends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in a band, ladies can't you see
Please don't judge me by the car that I drive
Or the fact that I haven't had a date since '95
Come on, don't go away
Don't listen to your friends when they that I am gay
I try so hard but I just can't get no play
Come on, I'm begging on my knees
Come on get close just ignore the fleas
We will take anything that walks
Because we're desperate
I know I'm not a handsome man
'Cause I look like an ogre with a farmer's tan
And every time the ladies see me and I'm walking their way
They say, "Brian smells, everybody stay away"
Oh ladies, can't you see
I can't help it because I'm ugly
But I'm in a band, don't that count for something
Come on now, don't delay
'Cause if you don't call then I'll probably rent-a-date
And my tab keeps rising, cuz I do it every day
Oh ladies, can't you see
I'm in a band, why aren't you attracted to me?
I don't care if you're underage
Just as long as you'll be seen with me in a public place
What's it gonna take? (What's it gonna take?)
For you help me bake cookies?
Doo-Wah-Doo
'Cause I need to know
I'm all hot and ready
And I got to go
Because we're Desperate
Why oh why must I have this rash
No girls talk to me they just step back
Should I lift weights? Would that make me more sexual?
Maybe wear glasses would that make me intellectual?
Come on lets do it fast
'Cause I'm all hot and ready and it just wont last
And I got 20 dollars what can I get for that?
The lyrics of Suburban Legends' "Desperate" showcase the desperation and lack of confidence of the singer trying to attract women. Despite being part of a band, the singer feels unattractive, as he is deemed unhygienic, ugly, and unsuccessful in dating women. The singer asks women not to judge him by superficial qualities such as his car, hygiene, or clothes, but rather to recognize him for his musical talents. He mentions the fact that he has never had a date since 1995 and that he is willing to do anything to attract girls because he is "desperate."
In the first verse, the singer pleads with women not to listen to their friends when they say he is gay. He tries his best but "just can't get no play." He even assures them that he does not have any STDs and is willing to bear his embarassing flaws in the name of love. In the second verse, he admits that he is not a handsome man and that he looks like an ogre with a farmer's tan. He mentions that the ladies find him unattractive due to his hygiene and that everyone thinks he smells.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the desperation of the singer and his band, as they are willing to take anything that walks because they are desperate for women. The lyrics follow a rather comedic and exaggerated tone throughout the song, and sometimes venture into controversial territory by using inappropriate comments such as "I don't care if you're underage / just as long as you'll be seen with me in public space."
Overall, "Desperate" is a humorous but poignant critique of the pressure put on people to appear attractive and desirable. The singer's desperation comes from societal pressures to appear a certain way and the idea that being part of a band should automatically make him more attractive.
Line by Line Meaning
What the hell is wrong with me?
I'm feeling insecure and unlovable, and I'm wondering why that is.
I'm in a band, ladies can't you see
Despite my insecurities, I'm using my music as a way to impress women.
Please don't judge me by the car that I drive
I don't want to be judged by material possessions that don't really matter.
Or the fact that I haven't had a date since '95
I'm feeling pretty desperate for female attention and validation.
Come on, don't go away
I'm begging for you to give me a chance and not reject me out of hand.
Don't listen to your friends when they say that I am gay
I'm worried that people might have misunderstandings or misconceptions about me, and that it's damaging my romantic life.
I try so hard but I just can't get no play
Despite being in a band and putting myself out there, I'm still struggling to find any success or interest from women.
Don't have any STDs
I want to reassure you that I'm healthy and safe to be with.
Come on, I'm begging on my knees
I'm really desperate for your affection and attention, and I'm willing to humble myself to get it.
Come on get close just ignore the fleas
I know I'm not perfect and I might have some flaws or issues, but I still want you to give me a chance and be intimate with me despite that.
We will take anything that walks
I'm willing to settle for any woman who will show me even a little bit of interest or affection.
Because we're desperate
My bandmates and I are in a collective state of desperation and frustration when it comes to finding romantic partners.
I know I'm not a handsome man
I'm aware that I'm not traditionally attractive or good-looking.
'Cause I look like an ogre with a farmer's tan
I'm using humor to downplay how unattractive or awkward I feel about my appearance.
And every time the ladies see me and I'm walking their way
I'm admitting that I don't really get a lot of attention or positive reactions from women when I try to approach them or make eye contact.
They say, "Brian smells, everybody stay away"
I'm feeling ostracized and rejected by the female gender as a whole, and it's making me feel insecure and inadequate.
Oh ladies, can't you see
I'm pleading with women to be more open-minded and to give me a chance despite my shortcomings.
I can't help it because I'm ugly
I'm owning up to the fact that I'm not conventionally attractive and that it's affecting my love life.
But I'm in a band, don't that count for something
I'm using my musical talents as a way to try and offset or compensate for my physical appearance and romantic struggles.
Come on now, don't delay
I'm not getting any younger, and I'm worried that if women keep rejecting me, I'll be alone forever.
'Cause if you don't call then I'll probably rent-a-date
I'm so desperate for a relationship or romantic interaction that I'm willing to pay for a service to provide that for me.
And my tab keeps rising, 'cause I do it every day
I'm becoming financially unstable because I'm spending so much money on these attempts to satisfy my romantic needs.
I don't care if you're underage
I'm willing to overlook or ignore certain boundaries or ethical considerations in pursuit of my romantic goals.
Just as long as you'll be seen with me in a public place
I'm not necessarily looking for a genuine relationship or connection, but rather just a way to make myself feel validated or important in the eyes of others.
What's it gonna take? (What's it gonna take?)
I'm wondering what I need to do or say to finally win the approval and affection of women.
For you to help me bake cookies?
I'm offering a silly, hypothetical example of something that might attract women and make them like me.
Doo-Wah-Doo
I'm using meaningless syllables or sounds to convey a sense of desperation and frustration, as well as to emphasize how little control or power I have in this situation.
'Cause I need to know
I'm obsessed with figuring out how to win over women and get the romantic validation I so desperately crave.
I'm all hot and ready
I'm feeling aroused or sexually frustrated, and I'm eager to get some kind of physical affection or connection.
And I got to go
I'm impatient and anxious to find someone who will satisfy my romantic needs.
Why oh why must I have this rash
I'm expressing frustration and despair at the fact that even my body seems to be working against me and sabotaging my chances of finding love.
No girls talk to me they just step back
I'm feeling ignored and rejected by women, even to the point where they avoid me or act as if I'm not worth talking to.
Should I lift weights? Would that make me more sexual?
I'm considering all sorts of potential solutions or changes to my body or appearance in order to make myself more appealing to women.
Maybe wear glasses would that make me intellectual?
I'm suggesting that I might be able to improve my desirability to women by changing something superficial about myself, even if it doesn't actually change who I am on the inside.
Come on let's do it fast
I'm impatient and feeling like time is running out for me to find love or validation from women.
'Cause I'm all hot and ready and it just won't last
I'm feeling like my sexual energy or interest is building up so much that I might explode, but at the same time I'm worried that I won't be able to satisfy it or find someone to share it with.
And I got 20 dollars what can I get for that?
I'm so desperate for affection or attention that I'm willing to pay for it, and I'm wondering what options are available to me even with a limited budget.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, PERFECT PEN
Written by: DEREK DAVIS, JACK PONTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephanie Farmer
I once saw This band almost 20 years ago at the LA county band and they were AMAZING!!!!!! They really have all the right stuff, idk What happened 😯
jake williams
ska is the shit during the summer and nt only tht its the shit to party to:p