Jeff Heiskell, the singer, and later members Dave Jenkins and Paul Noe formed the totally unknown but great Doubters Club that recorded for the Disgraceland label in 1995 and then broke up when Jenkins and Noe ran off to Nashville to form a (terrible) mod-rock band that failed (miserably). Jeff reformed the Judybats in 2000 with the album "'00" and subsequently rocked Knoxville, Chicago, Baltimore, and all points in-between on numerous small tours promoting their album and their later EP "Six Pack of New Tracks".
Currently, Jeff is working with Heiskell, a band formed with Mike Hairrell (percussion), Doug Hairrell (guitar), and Rob Bell (bass), all members of The second iteration of the Judybats.
Ugly on the Outside
The Judybats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like I keep you from everyone else
Everyone needs their mystery
Something hidden, something free
CHORUS
You're pure light pure delight pure delight
You're pure light pure delight pure delight
You're so pure
Now I been out to Hollywood
Them empty people they're no good
Their pretty faces hold a silver scream
But pretty don't mean much to me
CHORUS
So sweet
Pretty on the inside
Some fright
You're ugly on the outside
I guess we won't be holding hands
Like Hallmark lovers on the sands
Who needs the beaches anyway
Stuff my friends and all they'd say
CHORUS
Pure light
Shining on the inside
I love groovin' on your backside
Yeah, you step up to the microphone
And lotsa people wanna take you home
But you don't even like the way I sing
Baby I think that's the sweetes thing
CHORUS"
The Judybats' song Ugly on the Outside is a poignant commentary on the nature of beauty and the enduring power of love. The lyrics speak of a deep and abiding affection for someone who is not conventionally attractive, but whom the singer finds beautiful on the inside. The singer hints at a possessiveness over their loved one, admitting that they keep them to themselves and away from others. However, the singer also acknowledges the importance of retaining some mystery in a relationship and cherishes the idea of something hidden and free.
The chorus of the song is an ode to the purity and delight the singer finds in their love interest. They sing "You're pure light pure delight, pure delight," repeating the phrase several times to emphasize their genuine enthusiasm and joy. The song juxtaposes this pure love with the superficiality of Hollywood and the emptiness of people who are only pretty on the outside. The singer insists that they don't need beaches or approval from their friends because they are content with their relationship, and they find beauty and sweetness even in things that others may not.
Overall, the song is a celebration of the transformative power of love and the beauty of finding true joy and companionship with another person, regardless of their outward appearance.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like I keep you from myself
I feel possessive of you and like I need to keep you to myself
Like I keep you from everyone else
I don't want anyone else to have you or to share you with others
Everyone needs their mystery
It's important for people to have things that are hidden or secret from others
Something hidden, something free
It's good to have something that's private but that also allows you to express yourself freely
You're pure light pure delight pure delight
You're a person who brings happiness and joy to others and is full of positive energy
You're pure light pure delight pure delight
You emit a radiance of happiness and contentment that is infectious
You're pure light pure delight pure delight
You shine with an inner light and emanate pleasure and joy
You're so pure
You possess a sense of purity and goodness that is rare and special
Now I been out to Hollywood
I've been to a place that's known for its artificiality and superficiality
Them empty people they're no good
The people there are shallow and have no depth or meaning in their lives
Their pretty faces hold a silver scream
They have a facade of beauty that conceals their true inner turmoil and struggles
But pretty don't mean much to me
I value substance and depth over superficial appearances
So sweet
You have a pleasant and enjoyable personality
Pretty on the inside
You have a good heart and are kind and compassionate
Some fright
You might be intimidating or scary to others because of your honesty and authenticity
You're ugly on the outside
Your appearance may not be conventionally attractive but it doesn't matter because your inner beauty shines through
I guess we won't be holding hands
We might not be able to have a relationship because of my possessiveness and need for secrecy
Like Hallmark lovers on the sands
We won't be like the clichéd romantic couples in movies or TV shows
Who needs the beaches anyway
Why bother with the typical romantic clichés when we can have something special and unique
Stuff my friends and all they'd say
I don't care what my friends think about us or our relationship
Pure light
You are full of positive and uplifting energy
Shining on the inside
Your inner beauty and goodness radiate outwards and affect everyone around you
I love groovin' on your backside
I love being close to you and feeling your positive energy
Yeah, you step up to the microphone
You have a talent or ability that sets you apart from others
And lotsa people wanna take you home
Many people are drawn to you because of your inner beauty and positive energy
But you don't even like the way I sing
You might not be interested in me or my approach to things
Baby I think that's the sweetes thing
I find your honesty and authenticity to be very endearing and attractive
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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