I Don't Like Mondays
The Boomtown Rats Lyrics


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The silicon chip inside her head
Gets switched to overload
And nobody's gonna go to school today
She's going to make them stay at home
And daddy doesn't understand it
He always said she was as good as gold
And he can see no reason
'Cause there are no reasons
What reason do you need to be sure

Oh, oh, oh tell me why
I don't like Mondays

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays
I want to shoot
The whole day down

The Telex machine is kept so clean
As it types to a waiting world
And mother feels so shocked
Father's world is rocked
And their thoughts turn to their own little girl
Sweet sixteen ain't that peachy keen
Now, it ain't so neat to admit defeat
They can see no reasons
'Cause there are no reasons
What reason do you need oh, woah

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays
I want to shoot
The whole day down
Down, down
Shoot it all down

All the playing's stopped in the playground now
She wants to play with her toys a while
And school's out early and soon we'll be learning
And the lesson today is how to die
And then the bullhorn crackles
And the captain tackles
With the problems and the how's and why's
And he can see no reasons
'Cause there are no reasons
What reason do you need to die, die

Oh, oh, oh and the silicon chip inside her head
Gets switched to overload
And nobody's gonna go to school today
She's going to make them stay at home
And daddy doesn't understand it
He always said she was as good as gold
And he can see no reason
'Cause there are no reasons
What reason do you need to be sure

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays
Tell me why

I don't like Mondays
Tell me why

I don't like, I don't like, I don't like Mondays
Tell me why
I don't like, I don't like, (tell me why) I don't like Mondays
Tell me why




I don't like Mondays
I want to shoot, the whole day down, uh, uh, uh

Overall Meaning

"I Don't Like Mondays" is a song by the Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats. The song was released in 1979 and became a hit in many countries, including the UK and the US. The song was written by the band's lead singer and songwriter, Bob Geldof, after reading a news headline that said, "schoolgirl kills 9 in shooting spree."


The first verse describes a girl with a silicon chip inside her head that gets switched to overload, causing her to skip school and make others do the same. Her father can't understand why she would do this because he always thought she was good. The chorus includes the powerful hook "Tell me why I don't like Mondays" and expresses the singer's desire to "shoot the whole day down."


The second verse highlights the parents' shock and confusion over their own daughter's actions, who is described as "sweet sixteen." The final verse reveals that the girl had gone to school that day and shot people. The singer suggests that the lesson of the day is how to die, and the captain tackles with the problems and the how's and why's. The song ends with the singer repeating the chorus and the desire to "shoot the whole day down."


The song highlights the senseless violence that can occur in modern society and the disconnection and lack of understanding that can exist between parents and their children. It also highlights the need for empathy and understanding.


Line by Line Meaning

The silicon chip inside her head Gets switched to overload
The person's mind becomes overwhelmed and unable to handle their thoughts and emotions.


And nobody's gonna go to school today She's going to make them stay at home
The person is planning to do something that disrupts normal routine and causes others to stay home from school or work.


And daddy doesn't understand it He always said she was as good as gold And he can see no reason 'Cause there are no reasons What reason do you need to be sure
The person's family doesn't understand why they are behaving this way and can't find any explanation that makes sense.


Oh, oh, oh tell me why I don't like Mondays
The person is expressing their dislike and frustration for the beginning of the work/school week.


The Telex machine is kept so clean As it types to a waiting world And mother feels so shocked Father's world is rocked And their thoughts turn to their own little girl
Despite the world continuing to function normally, the person's loved ones are affected and devastated by their actions.


Sweet sixteen ain't that peachy keen Now, it ain't so neat to admit defeat They can see no reasons 'Cause there are no reasons What reason do you need oh, woah
The person is a teenager who is struggling to cope with their problems and has resorted to extreme measures.


All the playing's stopped in the playground now She wants to play with her toys a while And school's out early and soon we'll be learning And the lesson today is how to die
The person is trying to escape reality and responsibility by regressing to childhood and is considering suicide.


And then the bullhorn crackles And the captain tackles With the problems and the how's and why's And he can see no reasons 'Cause there are no reasons What reason do you need to die, die
Law enforcement and other authorities are trying to intervene and understand the person's actions, but they are unable to find any justification for them.


Oh, oh, oh and the silicon chip inside her head Gets switched to overload And nobody's gonna go to school today She's going to make them stay at home And daddy doesn't understand it He always said she was as good as gold And he can see no reason 'Cause there are no reasons What reason do you need to be sure
The person's mental state and behavior continue to spiral out of control despite the efforts of those around them.


Tell me why I don't like Mondays Tell me why I don't like Mondays Tell me why I don't like, I don't like, I don't like Mondays Tell me why I don't like, I don't like, (tell me why) I don't like Mondays Tell me why I don't like Mondays I want to shoot, the whole day down, uh, uh, uh
The person's hatred for Mondays and their desire to escape their problems has reached a dangerous limit, and they are considering harming themselves and others.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Mute Song Limited
Written by: Bob Geldof

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@gusstabithc

The silicon chip inside her head
Gets switched to overload
And nobody's gonna go to school today
She's going to make them stay at home
And daddy doesn't understand it
He always said she was as good as gold
And he can see no reason
'Cause there are no reasons
What reason do you need to be sure

Oh, oh, oh tell me why
I don't like Mondays

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays
I want to shoot
The whole day down

The Telex machine is kept so clean
As it types to a waiting world
And mother feels so shocked
Father's world is rocked
And their thoughts turn to their own little girl
Sweet sixteen ain't that peachy keen
Now, it ain't so neat to admit defeat
They can see no reasons
'Cause there are no reasons
What reason do you need oh, woah

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays
I want to shoot
The whole day down
Down, down
Shoot it all down

All the playing's stopped in the playground now
She wants to play with her toys a while
And school's out early and soon we'll be learning
And the lesson today is how to die
And then the bullhorn crackles
And the captain tackles
With the problems and the how's and why's
And he can see no reasons
'Cause there are no reasons
What reason do you need to die, die

Oh, oh, oh and the silicon chip inside her head
Gets switched to overload
And nobody's gonna go to school today
She's going to make them stay at home
And daddy doesn't understand it
He always said she was as good as gold
And he can see no reason
'Cause there are no reasons
What reason do you need to be sure

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays
Tell me why

I don't like Mondays
Tell me why

I don't like, I don't like, I don't like Mondays
Tell me why
I don't like, I don't like, (tell me why) I don't like Mondays
Tell me why
I don't like Mondays
I want to shoot, the whole day down, uh, uh, uh



All comments from YouTube:

@Tindometari

For those who don't know:  On a Monday in 1979, 16-year-old Brenda Spencer pulled out a rifle that her father had given her for her birthday (Dad's probably still living with that), and shot up an elementary school playground, wounding seven children and killing the principal and the custodian. 36 rounds fired, 11 hits — the police were remarking on her accuracy. A local news outlet identified the house and got the phone number, and called. Brenda answered, and was asked, "Why." She answered: "I don't like Mondays."

And that is what inspired this song.

@kennethtilton6137

I heard her father gave her the gun secretly hoping she would eventually use it on herself. Talk about a dysfunctional family.

@heyohcharity

Kenneth Tilton I read she said she thought he gave it to her for that reason.
But I also heard that he married a girl he met at the juvenile center she was in. The girl looked just like Brenda and was younger so that speaks volumes about him

@srfoy6493

We could say that mental illness was at play in this instance. Or we could say that they were off thier rocker, certifiable. Either way its tragic that innocent people had to suffer.

@cantorcarl

I was playing miniature golf at the course next to the elementary school when this happened.

@haroldpinkman2595

She is basically Garfield.

84 More Replies...

@randywilson944

Wish it was Sunday. That’s my fun day. I don’t have to run day. That’s why I don’t like Mondays 🎶😂

@Kay-ng1qo

No Manic Mondays 🎉

@thewolf3889

the rest of the week is no picnic either

@srfoy6493

No, its not. But Mondays are the day we are thrown back into the mix of the real world. At least Tues. thru Fri. we already have the day before to look back on. Monday, we have had two days of relative peace. Then Monday comes along and we have to be thrown back into non-stop hell !

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