Be Good Boy
The Madness Lyrics
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It seems only yesterday
Look how you've grown
Now the time has come
For me to say:
You can do whatever you feel
I guess I'm right whenever you feel
Don't forget to brush your teeth
Or comb your hair
There's people out there to meet
Careful when you smile
When you walk in the room
A smile worthless unless you mean it to
You can take whatever you need
You can leave whenever need be
Be good boy, don't fall, mother knows best
Be good boy and choose, mother knows best
Take a look at what you're going to do
Ooh think boy, don't be led, take the lead boy
I don't want to have to tell you again
Don't let me down my good humoured man
You can have whatever you want
Maybe I'm wrong whenever you want
Be good boy, don't fret, mother knows best
Be good boy, don't cry, mother knows best
Beholder of disguise (be good boy), so choose, mother knows best
Better be on your best behaviour (be good boy), come visiting day
The Madness's song "Be Good Boy" is a thoughtful and loving message of advice from a mother to her son. The song begins with the mother reminiscing about the past, how her son has grown and reached a stage where she needs to let him make his own decisions and live his own life. The next few lines of the song make it clear that the mother is going to give him some instruction before he goes out into the world. The lyrics are filled with wisdom, telling him to brush his teeth, comb his hair, and be mindful of his facial expressions when he meets people.
The mother also acknowledges that her son has the freedom to choose whatever he wants in life, but she also tells him to take responsibility for his actions when he makes his own decisions. The song's chorus, "Be good boy, don't fall, mother knows best," lingers in the listener's mind, highlighting the love and care of a mother towards her son. Throughout the song, the mother praises her son, telling him to be a leader, plan his life, take control, and above all, be a good boy.
Overall, "Be Good Boy" is a touching and contemplative song, filled with insights about life and the mother-son relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting by the fire
Reflecting on the past and memories.
It seems only yesterday
Recollecting how quickly time has passed.
Look how you've grown
Proud of the listener's growth over time.
Now the time has come
It is time for some much-needed advice.
For me to say:
Directing the listener's attention to the forthcoming advice.
You can do whatever you feel
Encouraging the listener to follow their desires.
I guess I'm right whenever you feel
Reassuring the listener that their emotions are valid.
Don't forget to brush your teeth
Offering helpful hygiene advice.
Or comb your hair
Stressing the importance of keeping up appearances.
There's people out there to meet
Hinting at the importance of networking and socializing.
Careful when you smile
Suggesting that insincere behavior is unhelpful.
When you walk in the room
Highlighting the importance of first impressions.
A smile worthless unless you mean it to
Emphasizing the importance of authentic displays of emotion.
You can take whatever you need
Suggesting that the listener should take advantage of opportunities.
You can leave whenever need be
Encouraging the listener to move on from situations as needed.
Be good boy, don't fall, mother knows best
Urging the listener to be careful and heed mother's advice.
Be good boy and choose, mother knows best
Encouraging the listener to make wise decisions with mother's guidance.
Take a look at what you're going to do
Suggesting the importance of planning ahead.
Ooh think boy, don't be led, take the lead boy
Encouraging the listener to be assertive and think for themselves.
I don't want to have to tell you again
Implying that the listener should remember mother's advice.
Don't let me down my good humoured man
Appealing to the listener's sense of humor and encouraging them to do their best.
Be good boy, don't fret, mother knows best
Urging the listener to remain calm and trust mother's wisdom.
Be good boy, don't cry, mother knows best
Seeking to comfort the listener and discourage emotional outburst.
Beholder of disguise (be good boy), so choose, mother knows best
Urging the listener to think critically and make wise choices with mother's guidance.
Better be on your best behavior (be good boy), come visiting day
Advising the listener to maintain good behavior for upcoming social events.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER JOHN FOREMAN, CATHAL JOSEPH SMYTH, LEE JAY THOMPSON, GRAHAM MCPHERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gone Fishing for Souls
I like "Good Boy," but I have to say on first listen that this sounds like a way over produced Madness album.. The beauty of the early albums is their simplicity and rawness which is seriously lacking here.. But having said that, this band have made so many classic tunes which means the deserve a break when they make one poor album. They're were the best band of the 80's by a mile and only had one no. 1 single. which is very puzzling.. They had so many top ten singles though something like 15 to 17 of them... They made the best videos ever just by being themselves and if they focused on breaking America they would of got close to the Beatles..
Sam Haynes Synthwave / Cheekyboy mashups
Really great song.