Sonny Boy
The Lookouts Lyrics
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In the bathroom throwing up hung over from the punk rock show
He’s got a real bad attitude he always comes home late
He swears and burps and acts so rude
Why doesn’t he cooperate?
Why must they grow?
Why can’t they stay the same?
How could I have raised that stupid bum?
He drinks and smokes and lies to me he comes home late every night
He tells me not to make a fuss then he goes out and starts a fight
He said he did not know about the pot under his bed
I really hate to say it but sometimes I wish that boy was dead
Why must they grow
The Lookouts' song Sonny Boy tells the story of a conflicted parent struggling to come to terms with their son's newfound rebellious behavior. The lyrics are filled with disappointment, frustration, and a sense of helplessness as the parent watches their child grow up and change into someone they don't recognize. Sonny Boy is growing up and has left behind his childhood toys, such as his GI Joe. Instead, he is now immersed in the punk rock scene, causing him to come home late and hungover on a frequent basis, prompting his parent to wonder why he can't cooperate and behave.
The song addresses a common issue faced by parents as their children transition from adolescence to adulthood. The lyrics highlight the universal struggle of accepting that loved ones grow up and become different people than they used to be. The parent in the song struggles to understand why their child has chosen to act the way they do, leading them to question where they went wrong and even wishing ill on their own child. The song Sonny Boy is ultimately a poignant expression of the pain and confusion felt by parents as their children grow up and become independent individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Sonny boy is growing up left behind his GI Joe
Sonny boy is maturing and leaving behind his childhood toys like GI Joe
In the bathroom throwing up hung over from the punk rock show
Sonny boy is suffering from a hangover after attending a punk rock show
He's got a real bad attitude he always comes home late
Sonny boy has a negative demeanor and regularly arrives home late
He swears and burps and acts so rude, Why doesn't he cooperate?
Sonny boy behaves impolitely and does not work well with others
Why must they grow?
The artist is questioning why children must grow up and change
Why can't they stay the same?
The singer wonders why children cannot stay young and maintain their innocence
How could I have raised that stupid bum? I am so ashamed
The singer regrets how they raised and perceive their child
He drinks and smokes and lies to me he comes home late every night
Sonny boy partakes in substances and deceives the artist while also regularly being tardy
He tells me not to make a fuss then he goes out and starts a fight
Sonny boy requests the artist not to create a commotion, yet will later initiate an altercation
He said he did not know about the pot under his bed
Sonny boy claims ignorance concerning the drugs discovered beneath his bed
I really hate to say it but sometimes I wish that boy was dead
The singer has a strong aversion to their child and, at times, wishes for their passing
Why must they grow?
The artist reiterates their questioning of why children must develop and change
Contributed by Lucas Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.