First I Look At The Purse
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
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by the J. Geils Band
Some fellas look at the eyes
Some fellas look at the nose
Some fellas look at the size
Some fellas look at the clothes
I don't care if her eyes are red
I don't care if her nose is long
I don't care if her clothes are worn
First I look at the purse!
Some fellas like the smiles they wear
Some fellas like the legs that's all
Some fellas like the style of their hair
Want their waist to be small.
I don't care if their legs are thin
I don't care if their teeth are big
I don't care if their hair's a wig
Why waste time lookin' at the waistline?
First I look at the purse!
A woman can be fat as can be,
kisses sweet as honey
But that don't mean a thing to me
If you ain't got no money
If the purse is fat....that's where it's at.
Some fellas like the way they walk
The way they swing and sway
Some fellas like the way they talk
Dig the things they say.
I don't care if they wobble like a...
or talk with a lisp
I still think I'm a good lover
if the dollar bills are crisp
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
I don't care if you got yourself a wrap
all I want is your pretty green cash
Bought me a suit, bought me a car
Want me to look like a hollywood star
Money, (Money!) I want money (Money!)
Baby, ain't no "why", baby (Money!)
I need money!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
The J. Geils Band's "First I Look at the Purse" is a tongue-in-cheek song that satirizes men who are only interested in women for their money. The lyrics lampoon the varying qualities that some men may find attractive in a woman - such as her eyes, nose, size, or clothing - and instead prioritizes the size of her purse, i.e., her level of wealth or financial stability. The verses spotlight how some men may overlook a woman's physical appearance if she has enough money, while the chorus repeatedly emphasizes the importance of the purse above all else. The song features a comedic tone and playful delivery, and ultimately highlights societal expectations on gender roles and wealth.
On one level, the song can be seen as a commentary on the ways in which society values a person's wealth over other qualities, particularly in relationships. The song's protagonist - perhaps ironically - adopts the shallow reasoning of looking at a woman's money first, highlighting how our society often prioritizes financial stability over other factors when it comes to romantic relationships. Furthermore, the song subverts societal expectations of gender roles by portraying the male character as the gold digger of the relationship, inverting the typical gender roles of men being the provider.
By blatantly singing about valuing money over physical appearance and personality, the song's lyrics also poke fun at the superficial nature of human attraction. It plays on gender stereotypes and offers a humorous take on what people traditionally find attractive in a partner. Overall, "First I Look at the Purse" is an insightful critique of societal norms and expectations surrounding love, and a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the superficial and materialistic parts of human nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Some fellas look at the eyes
Some men are attracted to a woman's eyes
Some fellas look at the nose
Some men are attracted to a woman's nose
Some fellas look at the size
Some men are attracted to a woman's physique
Some fellas look at the clothes
Some men are attracted to a woman's clothing
I don't care if her eyes are red
I am not concerned if a woman has red eyes
I don't care if her nose is long
I am not concerned if a woman has a long nose
I don't care if she's underfed
I am not concerned if a woman is malnourished
I don't care if her clothes are worn
I am not concerned if a woman's clothing is old or tattered
First I look at the purse!
The first thing I am interested in when it comes to women is their financial status
Some fellas like the smiles they wear
Some men are attracted to a woman's smile
Some fellas like the legs that's all
Some men are only interested in a woman's legs
Some fellas like the style of their hair
Some men are attracted to a woman's hairstyle
Want their waist to be small.
Some men prefer women with small waists
I don't care if their legs are thin
I am not concerned if a woman has thin legs
I don't care if their teeth are big
I am not concerned if a woman has big teeth
I don't care if their hair's a wig
I am not concerned if a woman is wearing a wig
Why waste time lookin' at the waistline?
Why spend time focusing on a woman's waistline when there are more important things to consider?
A woman can be fat as can be,
A woman can be overweight
kisses sweet as honey
She may be a good kisser
But that don't mean a thing to me
But that is not what I am interested in
If you ain't got no money
If a woman does not have money
If the purse is fat....that's where it's at.
The size of a woman's purse is important to me
Some fellas like the way they walk
Some men find a woman's walk attractive
The way they swing and sway
How a woman moves when she walks is attractive to some men
Some fellas like the way they talk
Some men find a woman's speaking voice attractive
Dig the things they say.
They enjoy what a woman says
I still think I'm a good lover
Regardless of what a woman may lack, I still believe I am a good lover
if the dollar bills are crisp
As long as a woman has money
All I want is your pretty green cash
What I really want from you is your money
Bought me a suit, bought me a car
I have used money to purchase material possessions
Want me to look like a hollywood star
I want to appear wealthy and successful
Money, (Money!) I want money (Money!)
I am emphasizing my desire for money
Baby, ain't no "why", baby (Money!)
There is no explanation needed for my desire for money
I need money!
I have a strong need for money
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT ROGERS, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
Some fellas look at the eyes
Some fellas look at the nose
Some fellas look at the size
Some fellas look at the clothes
I don't care if her eyes are red
I don't care if her nose is long
I don't care if she's underfed
I don't care if her clothes are worn
First I look at the purse!
Some fellas like the smiles they wear
Some fellas like the legs that's all
Some fellas like the style of their hair
Want their waist to be small.
I don't care if their legs are thin
I don't care if their teeth are big
I don't care if their hair's a wig
Why waste time lookin' at the waistline?
First I look at the purse!
A woman can be fat as can be,
kisses sweet as honey
But that don't mean a thing to me
If you ain't got no money
If the purse is fat....that's where it's at.
Some fellas like the way they walk
The way they swing and sway
Some fellas like the way they talk
Dig the things they say.
I don't care if they wobble like a...
or talk with a lisp
I still think I'm a good lover
if the dollar bills are crisp
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
I don't care if you got yourself a wrap
all I want is your pretty green cash
Bought me a suit, bought me a car
Want me to look like a hollywood star
Money, (Money!) I want money (Money!)
Baby, ain't no "why", baby (Money!)
I need money!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
Richard Lake
When I was a teenager in the 70s this was THE band to go see in concert. Always a party!
WeAreAllOne ExceptForThatGuy
I saw these guys a bunch of times at Winterland, and when they opened for the Stones at Candlestick - they always put on a great show. Rest in peace, John Geils, you gave this world great music, and this little naive rock and rock and roll girl some extremely fun concerts.
Dr. Murray
Saw them as third act in a 4-show in Cleveland during the golden early years of stadium rock. 4th up ? the Stones. JG tore the place down 100K folks boogeying. Vitales' Madmen and Tower of Power were up 1st and 2nd. The Stones had to get it together real fast, and finally did with Jumpin Jack
sean coffin
My favorite band of all time!
Jerry Kukurka
Super under rated band.
RL R
My dad used to sing this when I was a kid, and I sing the chorus every time I look for my purse...lmbo. shocked it is a real song and really good too
Judy Colson
Great band BEFORE they went pop in the MTV days. This is one of my favs. RIP J. Geils (4/11/17)
Austin Teutsch
So true. Just like ZZ Top who also sold their soul to the almighty MTV devil.
Michael B Glovier
I agree with you, they never should have changed.
Juana Boynkin
I agree. Same with REO Speedwagon and others.