The Queers are a pop-punk/punk rock band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, fo… Read Full Bio ↴The Queers are a pop-punk/punk rock band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, formed in 1982. Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter Joe King has been the principal member of the group, with a vast number of musicians cycling in and out of the band over the years. Supposedly, the band name 'Queers' was used simply to poke fun at what he called the "Art Fag" community in NH. That same brand of humor and inanity has become a staple of The Queers music, who have produced songs such as "Can't Stop Farting", "Born To Do Dishes", and "I Didn't Get Invited To The Prom" in their own Ramones-esque style. While some punk rock bands attempt to use their music to impart a social or political message, King has made it clear that The Queers exist simply to play punk rock for the fun of it.

The Queers play a Ramones style of pop punk with songs about girls and beer. King has often collaborated with Ben Weasel, from Screeching Weasel. The band begun with a notoriety primarily in their own backyard, but with the release of Love Songs for the Retarded, recorded by legendary punk producer Mass Giorgini, their following grew to international proportions. They have collaborated with Mass Giorgini several times since.

Along with his casual acquaintance Ben Weasel, Joe King has criticized the re-emergence of the street punk scene and what he sees as the glorification of violence and class warfare by certain bands. The song, "Little Rich Working Class Oi Boy" from the album Beyond the Valley of the Assfuckers takes aim at the working class pretensions and bellicose attitudes of some members of the Oi! scene. In a 2005 post to The Queers official website, King criticizes the effect of Boston punk band, the Dropkick Murphys. Writes King, "With all this stupid fucking Irish/Dropkick BS these days the whole punk scene (what's left of it) is full of assholes that just wanna fight."

I Wanna Know
The Queers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Something's pounding in my head
I need a girl like you
to help me do my math at night
and raise up my I.Q.
Symptoms seem to say one thing
That I'm ok with you
Emotions not my strongest suit
My concentration's limited too

[Chorus:]
I want to know why the birds they sing
I want to know why the grass is green
I want to know why the sky is blue
And what it is between me and you
Yeah - I want to know

Over under sideways down
Oh what can i do
I won't eat my vegetables
And I don't want to play with you
Once again I've got a crush
I laugh and then I cry
It's either great or horrible
When it's all over I always say why

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The Queers’ song “I Wanna Know” is a mellow tune that explores the confusing nature of a crush. The singer admits to having feelings for someone, but struggles to understand why. He asks for help with his schoolwork, suggesting a desire for intellectual connection as well as emotional. He struggles with his emotions and concentration, which mirrors the uncertainty of his crush.

The chorus of the song takes on a more philosophical tone, as the singer expresses a curiosity about the nature of the world around him. He wants to know why the birds sing, why the grass is green, and why the sky is blue. These questions can be interpreted in a couple of ways. On the one hand, they suggest a sense of wonder about the world and a desire to understand it. On the other hand, they could be seen as a metaphor for the singer’s desire to understand his own feelings.

Overall, “I Wanna Know” is a song about the struggle to understand oneself and others. It captures the confusing and emotional experience of having a crush, while also acknowledging the broader mysteries of the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Something's pounding in my head
I am experiencing some level of discomfort that needs to be resolved.

I need a girl like you
I could really use someone like you in my life right now.

to help me do my math at night
I require assistance from someone who is knowledgeable in mathematics, especially during nighttime.

and raise up my I.Q.
I want someone to assist me in improving my intelligence quotient.

Symptoms seem to say one thing
There are signs that point to the fact that I may be alright with you.

That I'm ok with you
I am comfortable and content being around you.

Emotions not my strongest suit
I am not particularly adept at expressing my feelings.

My concentration's limited too
I tend to struggle with focusing on tasks for an extended period of time.

I want to know why the birds they sing
I am curious to understand the reasoning behind why birds make the sounds they do.

I want to know why the grass is green
I am interested in discovering the explanation for why grass is the color that it is.

I want to know why the sky is blue
I would like to know the scientific reason why the color of the sky appears blue.

And what it is between me and you
I am curious about the nature of the relationship between you and me.

Yeah - I want to know
I am adamant and enthusiastic about seeking out answers to these questions.

Over under sideways down
I feel disoriented and confused about the current state of affairs.

Oh what can i do
I am feeling helpless and powerless in this situation.

I won't eat my vegetables
I am resisting doing what is necessary for my own wellbeing and ignoring my responsibilities.

And I don't want to play with you
I am not interested in engaging in social activities with you at this time.

Once again I've got a crush
I have developed romantic feelings for someone once more.

I laugh and then I cry
I am experiencing turbulent emotions and am unable to maintain a stable demeanor.

It's either great or horrible
My emotional experiences tend to be perceived as either extremely positive or extremely negative, with little middle ground.

When it's all over I always say why
After every emotional rollercoaster that I experience, I am left questioning the reasons behind my actions and my current situation.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, PEARL KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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