The band's debut self-titled album was released on April 3, 2012. The album's first single, "Ho Hey" reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
The Ho Hey Songfacts reports that Schultz and Fraites were originally based in New York and started collaborating in 2002 after Fraites’ brother, Josh, who was also Schultz’s best friend died of an overdose. The pair began writing and performing to cope with their grief and they later relocated to Denver, where they met the classically trained Pekarek after advertising for a cellist.
Their self-titled debut album The Lumineers was released on April 3, 2012, on Dualtone Records.
Their second album, Cleopatra, was released in 2016.
The band's third album, titled III, was released on September 13, 2019 and debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200.
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Classy Girls
The Lumineers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said, "Hello, how do you do?"
She handed me a beer with a kangaroo
She spoke of places I had never been
That she had traveled to
And we slow danced along to faster tunes
And I made her laugh, I made a pass
I showed her my half-dollar ring
She said, "That's pretty cool
But classy girls don't kiss in bars, you fool"
(No, they don't)
So later on, the crowd calmed down
And I believe it was as if something drew me closer to her lips
So, picture my surprise when I had tried to lean in for a kiss
And she just smiled and turned her head down
And I asked her, "Why?" she replied
It was nothing I was doing wrong, it's just what it is
No, classy girls don't kiss in bars like this
No, classy girls don't kiss in bars
Boys will break their backs and hearts
But it's alright, the hardest part is through
Oh, through!
Oh, through!
Oh, through!
The hardest part is through
The Lumineers are known for their storytelling through their lyrics, and "Classy Girls" is no exception. The song tells the story of a man who meets a woman in a bar and tries to flirt with her, only to be rejected because "classy girls don't kiss in bars." It's a poignant exploration of societal ideals and expectations about how people should behave, and the contrast between wanting to break free from those expectations while still feeling bound by them.
The song's opening line, "Well, she was standing in the bar," immediately sets the scene and introduces the woman who the singer will spend the rest of the song trying to connect with. He tries to make small talk with her by asking how she's doing, and she hands him a beer with a kangaroo on it, which may be a nod to Australia or a way of showing off her own unique tastes.
As the night goes on, the two slow dance together and the singer tries to make his move by showing off his half-dollar ring. The woman initially seems charmed, but then shuts down his advances by telling him "classy girls don't kiss in bars, you fool." This line serves as a powerful commentary on the social expectations placed on women to maintain a certain kind of behavior, even in casual settings like a bar.
Later on, the singer tries to kiss the woman again and is once again met with rejection, but this time she explains that it's not about him - it's simply that "classy girls don't kiss in bars like this." Despite his initial disappointment, the singer seems to come to a place of acceptance by the end of the song, celebrating the fact that he's made it through the experience even if it didn't go the way he wanted.
Overall, "Classy Girls" is a moving reflection on the ways in which societal expectations - particularly those related to gender and class - can limit our interactions and relationships with others. It's a testament to The Lumineers' ability to weave complex narratives into simple, catchy songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, she was standing in the bar
The singer introduces a woman he meets in a bar.
I said, "Hello, how do you do?"
The singer greets the woman.
She handed me a beer with a kangaroo
The woman serves the singer a beer.
She spoke of places I had never been
The woman tells the artist about her travels.
That she had traveled to
The woman is well-traveled.
And we slow danced along to faster tunes
The singer and woman dance slowly to fast music.
And I made her laugh, I made a pass
The singer flirts with the woman.
I showed her my half-dollar ring
The artist shows the woman his ring.
She said, "That's pretty cool
The woman thinks the artist's ring is cool.
But classy girls don't kiss in bars, you fool"
The woman tells the artist that she is not interested in kissing him in a bar.
(No, they don't)
The woman reiterates that classy girls don't kiss in bars.
So later on, the crowd calmed down
Later in the night, the atmosphere in the bar becomes more relaxed.
And I believe it was as if something drew me closer to her lips
The singer feels a strong attraction to the woman.
So, picture my surprise when I had tried to lean in for a kiss
The singer attempts to kiss the woman.
And she just smiled and turned her head down
The woman politely declines the singer's kiss.
And I asked her, "Why?" she replied
The artist asks the woman why she won't kiss him.
It was nothing I was doing wrong, it's just what it is
The woman explains that she is not interested in kissing in a bar.
No, classy girls don't kiss in bars like this
The woman reiterates that she won't kiss the singer in a bar.
No, classy girls don't kiss in bars
The woman reiterates that classy girls don't kiss in bars.
Boys will break their backs and hearts
Boys will go to great lengths and suffer heartbreak for women who won't kiss them.
But it's alright, the hardest part is through
The artist accepts the woman's decision and moves on with his life.
Oh, through!
The artist feels a sense of relief that the difficult part is over.
Oh, through!
The singer repeats his sense of relief.
Oh, through!
The artist repeats his sense of relief again.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jeremy Fraites, Wesley Schultz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bernardo Rogel
Classy Girls
The Lumineers
Well, she was standing in the bar
I said, "Hello, how do you do?"
She handed me a beer with a kangaroo
She spoke of places I had never been
That she had traveled to
And we slow danced along to faster tunes
And I made her laugh, I made a pass
I showed her my half-dollar ring
She said, "That's pretty cool
But classy girls don't kiss in bars, you fool"
So, later on the crowd calmed down
And I believe it was as if something drew me closer to her lips
So, picture my surprise when I had tried to lean in for a kiss
And she just smiled and turned her head down
I asked her, "Why?" and she replied
It was nothing I was doing wrong, it's just what it is
No, classy girls don't kiss in bars like this
No, classy girls don't kiss in bars
Boys will break their backs and hearts
But it's alright, the hardest part is through
Oh, through!
Oh, through!
Oh, through!
The hardest part is through
Caffeinated Nation
Lyrics
Well, she was standing in the bar
I said, "Hello, how do you do?"
She handed me a beer with a kangaroo
She spoke of places I had never been
That she had traveled to
And we slow danced along to faster tunes
And I made her laugh, I made a pass
I showed her my half-dollar ring
She said, "That's pretty cool
But classy girls don't kiss in bars, you fool"
So, later on the crowd calmed down
And I believe it was as if something drew me closer to her lips
So, picture my surprise when I had tried to lean in for a kiss
And she just smiled and turned her head down
I asked her, "Why?" and she replied
It was nothing I was doing wrong, it's just what it is
No, classy girls don't kiss in bars like this
No, classy girls don't kiss in bars
Boys will break their backs and hearts
But it's alright, the hardest part is through
Oh, through!
Oh, through!
Oh, through!
The hardest part is through
MulticolouredFlyFish
I love the romantic aura they manage to capture in pretty much every one of their of their songs. It's so easily lost in music
Chris McNulty
Hats off to the man who yelled out "No they don't!" After the first time they sing "Classy girls don't kiss in bars you fool." Took this song from a 10/10 to an 11/10. Cheers.
Rahul Singh Mawari
the way he said was also perfect ,Loved it
veryneatmonster
That was the singer 😂
Evan Von Hiser
Favorite band and favorite song ever! I play it whenever I can even when my parents think I'm sleeping!😄
Bernardo Rogel
Classy Girls
The Lumineers
Well, she was standing in the bar
I said, "Hello, how do you do?"
She handed me a beer with a kangaroo
She spoke of places I had never been
That she had traveled to
And we slow danced along to faster tunes
And I made her laugh, I made a pass
I showed her my half-dollar ring
She said, "That's pretty cool
But classy girls don't kiss in bars, you fool"
So, later on the crowd calmed down
And I believe it was as if something drew me closer to her lips
So, picture my surprise when I had tried to lean in for a kiss
And she just smiled and turned her head down
I asked her, "Why?" and she replied
It was nothing I was doing wrong, it's just what it is
No, classy girls don't kiss in bars like this
No, classy girls don't kiss in bars
Boys will break their backs and hearts
But it's alright, the hardest part is through
Oh, through!
Oh, through!
Oh, through!
The hardest part is through
M A
I love how in the background there's sounds of people talking and coming in and out. It makes the song feel more as if he's singing to her in an actual bar you know idk,.
Anaya Elias
I’m pre sure they actually recorded in a bar, but don’t quote me on that
2and1things
I took a trip to Quebec with my class in my last year of jr high. I remember it was absolutely freezing cold and lights were still out from Christmas. We were standing outside of a restaurant waiting for the whole group and this song was playing inside. The lumineers are experts at memory and nostalgia.
Mr1981pete
this album changed my life and perspective. so grateful for my friend sharing it. love to all decent people,