The band released their self-titled first album in March 1995 via PopLlama Records. After they garnered massive acclaim, Columbia Records quickly signed them. The album peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and has shipped over three million copies. The RIAA has certified it as triple platinum. Songs "Peaches", "Kitty", "Lump", and "Dune Buggy" received major airplay.
Their 1996 follow-up album, "II", did not reach the same acclaim, though it reached the top forty on the Billboard 2000. Single "Mach 5" also garnered some airplay. The band then fell of the radar for many listeners, dropped by their major label. However, their albums of the new millennium, 'Freaked Out and Small' followed by 'Love Everybody' and 'These Are the Good Times People' (released in 2000, 2004, and 2008, respectively), picked up positive critical reviews, such as from the All Music Guide. Although their touring schedule became more sporadic into the 00s and 10s, they continue to perform and satisfy audiences with their off-beat humor and catchy hooks.
French Girl
The Presidents of the United States of America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
French girl has a problem with the world
She sees it as a black place,
a place that wants to strangle her good time
Don't ever get involved with a French girl
French girl has a reason
French girl has a reason for hurting boyfriend
in this black world
Don't ever get involved with a French girl
(Don't ever get involved with a french girl)
No, I always fall in love with the French girl
(I always fall in love, I always fall)
Hey, hey, hey
She'll make your life miserable
She'll make your life miserable
She'll make your life miserable
French girl pouts and wonders
French girl pouts and wonders about the world
She blames the darkness
for wearing scratchy wool in the sun
French girl spends her free time
French girl spends her free time deep in thought
She worries about what she has to go through
just to get to a place where she's happy
Don't ever get involved with a French girl
(Don't ever get involved with a French girl)
No, I always fall in love with the French girl
No, I always fall in love with the French girl
No, I always fall in love with the French girl
No, I always fall in love with the French girl
No, I always fall in love with the French girl
No, I always fall in love with the French girl
No
The lyrics to The Presidents of the United States of America's song "French Girl" speak of a woman who sees the world as a dark, oppressive place that wants to ruin her good time. She blames the darkness for her problems and spends her time deep in thought, worrying about how to find happiness in a world that seems set against her. The singer warns listeners not to get involved with a French girl, as she will make their lives miserable. The French girl in question has a reason for hurting her boyfriend, as he is the one who is strangling her good time in the black world she perceives.
The song could be interpreted as a commentary on cultural stereotypes and misunderstandings. The French girl represents a foreign culture that the singer cannot understand, but is drawn to nonetheless. He is aware that this attraction is dangerous, and that the differences between them could cause problems. The French girl's complaints about wearing scratchy wool in the sun highlight the cultural differences that can cause friction between people from different backgrounds, even if they are attracted to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
French girl has a problem
The French girl is experiencing a difficulty or challenge in her life
French girl has a problem with the world
The French girl holds negative feelings towards the world and its components
She sees it as a black place,
The French girl perceives the world as a dark, gloomy, or negative place
a place that wants to strangle her good time
The French girl feels that the world is preventing her from enjoying herself
Don't ever get involved with a French girl
The artist is advising against forming a romantic relationship with a French girl
French girl has a reason
The French girl has a justification or explanation for her behavior
French girl has a reason for hurting boyfriend
The French girl is harming her boyfriend for a particular reason or motive
who is strangling her good time,
The boyfriend is preventing the French girl from having fun or enjoying herself
in this black world
The French girl perceives the world as dark or negative and uses it to justify her behavior
She'll make your life miserable
Being involved with a French girl will lead to a difficult or unpleasant existence
French girl pouts and wonders
The French girl expresses sadness or annoyance and engages in deep and reflective thought
French girl pouts and wonders about the world
The French girl is feeling down and mulls over the state of the world
She blames the darkness
The French girl holds negative emotions and blames external factors for her feelings and behavior
for wearing scratchy wool in the sun
The French girl is unhappy with her situation despite seeming illogical or impractical
French girl spends her free time
The French girl utilizes her leisure time for a specific purpose or activity
deep in thought
The French girl engages in intensive reflection or introspection
She worries about what she has to go through
The French girl feels anxious or concerned about the obstacles or hardships she will face
just to get to a place where she's happy
The French girl feels she must overcome challenges and obstacles in order to feel content or fulfilled
No, I always fall in love with the French girl
The singer consistently finds themselves romantically attracted to French girls despite the potential difficulties and challenges that may arise
Contributed by Bella T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.