Members
Richard Manitoba - lead vocals (1973-2008)
Ross "The Boss" Friedman - lead guitars/backing vocals (1973- 2008)
Scott "Top Ten" Kempner - rhythm guitars (1973-2008)
Andy Shernoff - bass (1973-1975, 1976-2008), keyboards/backing vocals (1973-2008)
Stu Boy King - drums (1974-1975; died 2018)
Ritchie Teeter - drums (1976-1980; died 2012)
Mark Mendoza - bass (1976-1977)
Mel Anderson - drums (1979)
Frank Funaro - drums (1995-1998)
J.P. Patterson - drums (1998-2008)
Discography
Go Girl Crazy (1975)
Manifest Destiny (1977)
Bloodbrothers (1978)
Fuck 'Em If They Can't Take a Joke (ROIR, 1981)
The Dictators Live, New York, New York (ROIR, 1998)
D.F.F.D. (2001)
Viva Dictators (2005)
Every Day Is Saturday (2007)
Hey Boys
The Dictators Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because we happen to know
There's something that you been missing
Welcome to the show
We're all set to go
So come on, come on
The bad news or the worse?
We're here to entertain
So disconnect your brain
Hey boys and girls
This is truth of the world
Hey boys and girls
You're on truth of the world
Hey boys and girls
Believe truth of the world
Hey boys and girls
Trust in truth of the world
We've got the guns and the glory
And this bullet comes with a kiss
We got celebrity stories
So get a load of this
This you cannot miss
So come on, come on, come on, come on
What do you want to hear first
The bad news or the worse?
We're here to entertain
And anaesthetise your pain
Hey boys and girls
Watch truth of the world
Hey boys and girls
Nothing like truth of the world
Hey boys and girls
Stay with truth of the world
Hey boys and girls
We'll be right back with truth of the world
What do you want to hear first
The bad news or the worse?
We're here to entertain
And keep you coming back again
Hey boys and girls
Enjoy truth of the world
Hey boys and girls
Give it up for truth of the world
We got celebrities
In the club with the neo-nazis
Caught by the paparazzi
But don't worry we just planted some trees
We're interrupting transmission
Because we happen to know
The Dictators’ song “Hey Boys” is a satirical take on the role of the media in society. The lyrics suggest that the media often presents news and entertainment in a sensationalized and exaggerated way, in order to capture and maintain the attention of viewers and listeners. The song’s chorus, “Hey boys and girls, this is truth of the world,” is a cynical commentary on the idea that the media presents objective truth, when in fact, it often distorts or exaggerates facts to serve its own purposes.
The chorus is also a call to action for listeners to question and challenge the messages that they receive from the media, and to think critically about the nature and sources of information that they consume. The song’s verses focus on the themes of violence, celebrity culture, and propaganda. The lyrics suggest that the media perpetuates violence and glorifies conflict, while also promoting superficial and vacuous celebrities over more substantive figures. The line “We got celebrities in the club with neo-nazis, caught by the paparazzi, but don't worry we just planted some trees” is a biting commentary on the frivolous and often irresponsibly superficial nature of celebrity culture.
Overall, The Dictators' “Hey Boys” critiques the power and influence that the media holds in shaping public discourse and shaping people's perceptions of reality.
Line by Line Meaning
We're interrupting transmission
We're stopping normal programming
Because we happen to know
We're aware that you don't know
There's something that you been missing
There's something you should know about
Welcome to the show
Get ready to hear what we have to say
We're all set to go
We're ready to start the show
So come on, come on
Join us in listening
What do you want to hear first
Do you want bad news or worse news?
The bad news or the worse?
Do you want the less or more terrible news?
We're here to entertain
We're here to amuse you
So disconnect your brain
Stop thinking and just listen
Hey boys and girls
Everyone listen up
This is truth of the world
This is what's really happening
Believe truth of the world
Trust what we're saying
Trust in truth of the world
Have faith in what we're telling you
Watch truth of the world
Pay attention to what's happening in the world
Nothing like truth of the world
This is the only real truth
Stay with truth of the world
Keep listening to what we're saying
We'll be right back with truth of the world
We'll continue sharing what's true in the world
Enjoy truth of the world
Take pleasure in what's happening in the world
Give it up for truth of the world
Applaud what we're telling you
We've got the guns and the glory
We have power and prestige
And this bullet comes with a kiss
We have something dangerous disguised as something nice
We got celebrity stories
We have gossip about famous people
So get a load of this
Listen to what we have to say
This you cannot miss
Don't miss this important news
And anaesthetize your pain
Make you forget about any pain you're feeling
We got celebrities
We have famous people to talk about
In the club with the neo-nazis
Hanging out with some dangerous people
Caught by the paparazzi
Seen by people taking pictures
But don't worry we just planted some trees
We're distracting you with something positive
Contributed by Avery N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MegaBillX
RIP Richie Teeter, best song from Dictators, best album.
Steve Berberovic
A turnaround in G-so many rock songs of the late 50's and early 60's were based on this progression.
jason C
Richie Teeter on lead vocals ! RIP !
denmamasan
definitely Adny.
WesFanMan
Killer.
Dan Klebes III
Starts out sounding melodically similar to Bohemian Rhapsody.
Pete Larose
Jesus loves you very much.
Steve Berberovic
Sounds like Andy Shernoff singing, someone said Richie Teeter, not sure about that one.
jason C
I though so too , til I saw a clip of them at Winterland 1977.