Pile of Gold
The Blow Lyrics
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All the girls are sitting on a pile of gold
All the girls—
And the boys you know they want—they want it
All the girls are sitting on a pile of gold
All the girls—
And the boys you know they want it, they want it
Some of us don’t
But plenty of us do
You should treat us good
You do that and you know
We’re gunna-uh-uh huh
Share more of our goods with you
[chorus]
They want it. They want it
It’s economic
Beneath the warmth that we export
Of course some boys will try to push the prices down
By pushing girls around
I’ve seen some do this
Learned to see through this
They get scared
So scared maybe we’ll refuse to share with them
A gentle mass attack..... Exodus
Tell them
I know the truth that if you could
Learn to save enough to make some trade with me
[chorus]
Boys boys we love you
Some of us don’t
Plenty of us do
Treat us good
And you know we’re gunna
Share share share
Our goods with you
[chorus]
The song "Pile of Gold" by The Blow is a commentary on the sexual power dynamic between men and women, framed within the metaphor of women sitting on a pile of gold. The chorus repeats the mantra that all the girls are sitting on a pile of gold and the boys want it, implying that women have a tremendous amount of agency and power in their sexuality. The verses expound on this metaphor by suggesting that the boys must treat the girls well in order to access their sexuality, and that if they do, the girls will be more willing to share their "goods." The bridge suggests that some boys try to manipulate the prices of sexual interaction by pushing girls around, but the singer has learned to see through this and suggests that instead, a "gentle mass attack" or collective bargaining would be more effective. The final chorus reiterates the idea that if boys treat girls well, they will be rewarded with sexual access.
The lyrics of "Pile of Gold" can be read as a feminist critique of the way that women are often objectified and devalued in sexual situations, with the singer suggesting that women hold the power to control the dynamics of sexual exchange. The repeated references to the pile of gold also suggest that women's sexuality is a valuable commodity, while the men who want it are comparably less valuable or powerful. The assertion that some boys try to manipulate the price of sexual interaction by pushing girls around also suggests that there are often inequities in sexual relationships, where one party attempts to control or dominate the other.
Overall, "Pile of Gold" is a clever and subversive commentary on sexual power dynamics, using playful and metaphorical language to explore the relationship between men and women.
Line by Line Meaning
All the girls are sitting on a pile of gold
Women possess a lot of valuable things, material or immaterial, that make them valuable in society
All the girls—
All females, regardless of their age, status, or race
And the boys you know they want—they want it
Males desire the things that females have or possess, whether it be their bodies, intelligence, or social status
Boys we love you
Females have positive feelings towards males
Some of us don’t
Some females may have negative feelings towards males due to past experiences or other reasons
But plenty of us do
Most females have positive feelings towards males
You should treat us good
Males should respect, value, and care for females in order to earn their trust and affection
You do that and you know
If males treat females with respect and kindness
We’re gunna-uh-uh huh
Females will respond positively and be willing to engage with them more deeply
Share more of our goods with you
Females will be willing to share their talents, love, and other valuable things with males if they are treated well
It’s economic
The dynamics between males and females are influenced by economic factors such as power, resources, and status
Beneath the warmth that we export
Despite their caring and nurturing nature, females have a hidden strength and power that they use to achieve their goals
Of course some boys will try to push the prices down
Some males will try to devalue females and their contributions in order to gain more power or control
By pushing girls around
Males may use physical or emotional abuse to intimidate or control females
I’ve seen some do this
The singer has witnessed this kind of behavior from some males towards females
Learned to see through this
She has become aware of this tactic and can identify and resist it
They get scared
Males who use abusive tactics may do so because they are afraid of losing power or status
So scared maybe we’ll refuse to share with them
Females may withhold their talents and other valuable things from males who mistreat them
A gentle mass attack..... Exodus
Females may use their strength and unity to resist and overcome male oppression or abuse
Tell them
The singer urges females to communicate their worth and value to males
I know the truth that if you could
The singer believes that if males understood the value of females, they would treat them better
Learn to save enough to make some trade with me
Males should invest time and effort in building a reciprocal relationship with females, in which both parties benefit
Contributed by Jayce E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.