Originally, they used the moniker 'The Nightlife Thugs'. The name "The Boomtown Rats" comes from a gang of down-and-outs from Woody Guthrie's autobiography, which the folk artist titled 'Bound for Glory'. The guys gained fame due to their often cynical tunes, having several notable singles, yet their record is overshadowed by the charity work on behalf of famine relief of their lead singer. Geldof, being nicknamed 'Bob The Gob' by the media for his big mouth, attained international fame after spearheading efforts such as 'Live Aid'.
The Boomtown Rats itself scored several Top Ten hits in the UK charts during their commercial peak, from 1978 to 79, and their most famous songs, still to this day, are "Rat Trap" (a U.K. #1) and "I Don't Like Mondays" (another U.K. #1), the latter being their biggest hit and achieving international notoriety. The track was written on a tour of the US in 1979 when Bob Geldof heard a telex machine spouting the story of Californian schoolgirl Brenda Ann Spencer, a girl that went on wild shooting spree at a San Diego high school with what seemed like no provocation before or remorse afterward. She justified her killing spree with the excuse "I don't like Mondays".
Bob Geldof has been gifted with the art of story-telling through songs. Lyrics are mostly in third person, have clever double entendre meanings, often relating some story or incident, eg "Dave". Geldof's charity work has been centred around the issue of famine relief, and includes being the organiser for the Band Aid single, for which he brought a superstar pop lineup together to record a song to aid famine relief (at the time was the fastest selling single in Britain of all time) and organizing the LiveAid concerts, a 2-continent superstar live concert that raised over 100 million dollars for famine relief.
Guitarist Gerry Cott left the band in 1981 and the band became a quintet. They disbanded in 1986 following a charity concert in Ireland. Most of the band members have now moved on to solo projects or new bands.
The Boomtown Rats reformed in 2013 going on tour again and released a new best of album Back to Boomtown : Classic Rats Hits which includes two new recorded songs.
How do you do
The Boomtown Rats Lyrics
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I gotta hear about the things
I should or shouldn't do
all about the deals I blew
how do you do
I shook a thousand hands
I met a man with master plans
Do you wanna be a rich man
How do you do
But then it's alright
the band was good and it was Saturday night
It was alright
and that's what matters
that really matters, sometimes that matters
the crowd went wild in that famous line
But then it's alright
the band was goodand it was Saturday night
It was alright
that really matters, sometimes that matters
And then they sat me in a chair
take this pen and put your name right there
this ensures that we take care of you
I gotta listen to you
I gotta hear about the things
I should or shouldn't do
all about the deals I blew
how do you do
I know about you
who are you
what do you do
how do you do
In the song "How Do You Do," The Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof sings about the pressures of the music industry and the expectations placed upon musicians to perform and succeed. The lyrics suggest a sense of obligation to listen to the advice of industry professionals and demonstrate a hesitation to take risks or make decisions. Geldof references a missed opportunity or "deal" that has haunted him, and reflects on the constant pressure to make it big and become successful.
The line "the band was good and it was Saturday night" suggests a moment of escape and release from these heavy burdens - the idea that sometimes it's okay to just enjoy the moment and forget about the pressures of success. The final verse sees Geldof being sat in a chair and told to sign a document that confirms he is taken care of - this could be interpreted as a metaphor for the music industry's control over artists and their careers.
Overall, "How Do You Do" can be seen as a commentary on the commercialization and commodification of music, and the impact that success can have on artistic freedom and creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
I gotta listen to you
I am obligated to pay attention to what you say.
I gotta hear about the things / I should or shouldn't do
You have a lot of advice for me about what actions I should or should not take.
All about the deals I blew
You have information about the business transactions I have failed to successfully execute.
How do you do
How can I be of assistance to you?
I shook a thousand hands
I have met many people and made many connections.
I met a man with master plans
I have encountered an individual with ambitious, detailed ideas for the future.
And sweaty hands
This man was nervous and anxious about something.
Do you wanna be a rich man
This man's plans may involve the acquisition of wealth.
But then it's alright
Despite any obstacles or setbacks, everything is fine now or will be fine in the future.
The band was good and it was Saturday night
Even if everything else has gone wrong, it was still an enjoyable time at the concert because the music was good and it was a fun night of the week.
It was alright
Things may not be perfect, but they are acceptable or satisfactory.
And that's what matters
The positive aspects of the situation are the most important.
That really matters, sometimes that matters
Although it may not always be the case, in this situation what is significant is that the good parts are being recognized and appreciated.
The crowd went wild in that famous line
The audience was ecstatic during the performance.
And then they sat me in a chair
I was guided to a seat for an important purpose.
Take this pen and put your name right there
Sign this document to finalize an agreement or commitment.
This ensures that we take care of you
By completing this process, you will be looked after attentively and responsibly.
I know about you
I have information about you and your activities.
Who are you
Please introduce yourself and give me more background on who you are.
What do you do
Please tell me more about your occupation and what you contribute to society.
How do you do
A standard and polite way of greeting someone during an introduction.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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