The initial lineup of vocalist Mark Melicia, guitarists Dave Rosen and Paul Ritchie, bassist Nick Villapiano, and drummer Sam Bey arose out of the ashes of an earlier, short-lived band named What About Frank in 2004, and quickly attracted a small following in local clubs. Early on in their career, the Parlor Mob earned critical praise for their captivating translation of classic '70s rock devices (think Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Captain Beyond, Granicus, etc.) into modern indie rock aesthetics. Inspired live performances and songwriting sessions continued apace and, before long, the band had scored a development deal with Capitol Records. But, just as the band's eponymous, four-track EP was headed for release in early 2007, the Parlor Mob became embroiled in the messy merger between Capitol and Virgin Records, watched most of their on-staff supporters laid off, and thus decided to part company with the label rather than cope with any additional fallout. Finding a new home with Roadrunner Records later that summer, the band immediately set about preparing their debut full-length, And You Were a Crow, for an early 2008 release. After touring for the album, the band settled in to work on new material, but tensions within the band resulted in the departure of Nick Villapiano, who was replaced by Anthony Chick. The Parlor Mob eventually followed up in 2011 with their second album, Dogs. The album's lead single, "Into the Sun," found some wider exposure thanks to its use in both a Pittsburgh Penguins commercial and on Monday Night Football. Following a hiatus that effectively began at the end of 2012, the Parlor Mob returned in 2015 with the self-released Cry Wolf EP, a surprisingly lengthy five-song affair that at time dipped into progressive rock territory.
Another three years passed before the band emerged with new material, this time for BMG-affiliated Brittania Row Recordings. The departure of guitarist Dave Rosen and second bassist Anthony Chick made for a reshuffled quartet lineup that included Melicia, Ritchie, Bey, and incoming bassist Gianni Scalise. Beginning with "4th of July," the Parlor Mob issued three tracks throughout 2018. In 2019, they released their fifth album, Dark Hour, which featured production by Malay and found them experimenting with synth and electronic sounds.
Biography by Eduardo Rivadavia
Can't Keep No Good Boy Down
The Parlor Mob Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How you had me still.
Playing with my mind, now darling,
Hope you got your fill.
'Cause this train is leaving,
It's rolling down the track.
Singing "Ain't no turnin' back."
Now I'm a simple man, it's true.
But Givin' all I had to you.
Really don't leave much for me,
Sorry Woman, I had to let you be.
'Cause this train is leaving,
It's rolling down the track.
Singing "Ain't no turnin' back."
Singing "Ain't no turnin' back."
One day you're going to realize
I ain't the one to blame.
I see how you critisize and curse my very name,
now baby that's alright.
'Cause I got better things to do than be your whipping boy,
So you can say what you want 'bout me
Hope it brings some type of joy back in your life.
'Cause it don't matter what I do,
There just ain't no pleasing you.
Just say it how you mean it.
Just tell us how you feel.
Whoa, just say it how you mean it,
Just tell us...
Hope one day you'll find a man that
Can keep you satisfied,
Have yourself a mess of kids
And a real comfortable life
This train is leaving,
It's rolling downt the track,
Singing "Ain't no turnin' back".
Still I really wish you well,
In Spite of all the lies you tell.
Can't Keep No Good Boy Down,
Woman when you gonna look around?
This train is leaving,
It's rolling down the track,
Singing "Ain't no turnin' back".
This train is leaving,
It's rolling down the track,
Singing "Ain't no turnin' back".
Singing "Ain't no turnin' back".
Singing "Ain't no turnin' back".
Singing "Ain't no turnin' back".
The Parlor Mob's "Can't Keep No Good Boy Down" is a raw and honest song about a failed relationship. The lyrics describe the singer's realization that his lover had been playing with his mind and manipulating him, and that he could no longer stay with her. He knows that leaving her will not be easy, but he also knows that he cannot keep living in this way. The train leaving on the track is a metaphor for his departure and his resolve to move forward with his life.
The chorus repeats "ain't no turnin' back," emphasizing the finality of his decision. He acknowledges that he is a simple man, but he gave everything he had to her, and there was nothing left for him. He resents her criticism and curses, knowing that he is not to blame for the relationship's failure, and that he cannot satisfy her no matter what he does. He hopes that eventually, she will find someone who can make her happy and bring her the life she wants.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the struggles of a relationship that has run its course. The lyrics hint at the hurt, pain, and bitterness that arise from the breakup, but they also convey a message of resilience and determination to move on and build a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
I been thinking for a while now,
I have been contemplating this situation for quite some time now
How you had me still.
How you kept me stuck in the same place emotionally
Playing with my mind, now darling,
Toying with my emotions, my dear
Hope you got your fill.
I hope you have satisfied your own selfish desires
'Cause this train is leaving,
Because I am moving on
It's rolling down the track.
I am leaving this situation behind me
Singing "Ain't no turnin' back."
I am not looking back, there is no turning back now
Now I'm a simple man, it's true.
I am not a complicated person
But Givin' all I had to you.
But I gave you everything I had
Really don't leave much for me,
Leaves me with nothing much in return
Sorry Woman, I had to let you be.
I regretfully had to let you go
One day you're going to realize
Eventually you will understand
I ain't the one to blame.
I am not responsible for this situation
I see how you critisize and curse my very name,
I am aware of how you insult and curse me
now baby that's alright.
But that is okay with me
'Cause I got better things to do than be your whipping boy,
I have more important things to focus on than being your emotional punching bag
So you can say what you want 'bout me
You are free to say whatever you want about me
Hope it brings some type of joy back in your life.
I hope it brings you some sense of happiness
'Cause it don't matter what I do,
Because no matter what I do
There just ain't no pleasing you.
I can never seem to make you happy
Just say it how you mean it.
Just be honest and straightforward
Just tell us how you feel.
Just share your true feelings
Whoa, just say it how you mean it,
Make sure to express yourself genuinely
Hope one day you'll find a man that
I hope one day you will find a partner who
Can keep you satisfied,
Will be able to make you happy
Have yourself a mess of kids
Will have a large family with many children
And a real comfortable life
And a life of ease and contentment
Still I really wish you well,
However, I still genuinely hope the best for you
In Spite of all the lies you tell.
Even though you have been dishonest in the past
Can't Keep No Good Boy Down,
I am resilient and can overcome this
Woman when you gonna look around?
When will you come to your senses?
Singing "Ain't no turnin' back."
I am resolute in my decision to move on
Contributed by Layla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nickbonanno6181
I met the lead singers dad he’s the owner of an awesome restaurant in keyport NJ. This track is Absolutely slept on
@pawkinmetaws4815
yeah word
@BorbasBence
I can't believe this song is up since 2009 and only has around 58.000 views. What's wrong with people? And then they're complaining that "There's no good music anymore / nowadays.."; oh hell yes there is!!
@delarocha1127
+Bence Borbás
Agreed !! its out there , just not being pushed in front of people
@BulldogOzzy
There's still good music, and there are still good movies. It's just that neither are being promoted well. The sad reality is that the public pays for cookie cutter fluff more than genuinely great art.
@loganvandyk7090
Bence Borbás this comment makes me think of the Jonas Brothers South Park episode. It's not mainstream because it doesn't make little girls ginies tickle
@lexdemonica
So jealous of a voice so effortless. So blessed that i can listen to it warm my soul. Stunning talent.
@HoolaHooper1
I'm seriously obsessed with this song. How can you not be?
@cynthiab3853
Heard this song on Entourage series and had to find out more. This song sounds like something Led Zeppelin would have done. Vocalist really sounds a lot like Robert in the early days of LZ. Love it!
@f.jideament
I actually thought the vocal was female before watching their videos.