The band's best known lineup consisted of Paul Westerberg (vocals, guitar), Bob Stinson (guitar), Tommy Stinson (bass) and Chris Mars (drums). They were infamous for their abrasive, hard drinking lifestyles and their ragged stage performances, notorious for coming to some shows too drunk to play very well at all. Sometimes, they just performed entire sets of covers, their picks showing their debt to 70s hard rock outfits.
The sound of this band showed off what their many fans saw as the very best of independent rock n' roll. More than possibly any other band since The Rolling Stones and the the Ramones, the Replacements embodied the spirit of rock, from their raucous performances, drug addictions, charismatic and romantic frontman, and wild, sometimes basic and sometimes powerfully confessional songs. At any given time, almost any list of 'The Best Rock Albums Of All Time' will include either the album 'Let It Be' or 'Tim', sometimes both.
Their sound started off as a classic rock influenced shade of punk, mutating to a melodic hardcore sound reminiscent of local buddies Hüsker Dü. They also progressed into a relatively straightforward but heartfelt rock style, with a number of highly soulful ballads from the heart of Westerberg to round out the mix.
The band broke up in 1991. Bob Stinson, who was fired from the band in 1986 (and was subsequently replaced by Slim Dunlap), died in 1995. Westerberg and Mars both have solo careers, and Tommy Stinson formed several bands, like Perfect and Bash and Pop, and now plays bass for Guns and Roses and Soul Asylum.
In 2012, Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson reformed the Replacements and recorded an EP, "Songs for Slim" as a benefit for former member Slim Dunlap, who had suffered a stroke. The band played their first show since 1991 on August 24, 2013 at RiotFest in Toronto, and has since played at several festivals since. The band also currently includes Josh Freese on drums and Dave Minehan on guitar. The band played its final show in June 2015.
Gary's Got a Boner
The Replacements Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, c'mon
C'mon little Gary, get your head on right
C'mon little Gary, get your head on straight
You're gonna get down
You're gonna finger to her
You're gonna fuck Madonna
Forget about the lights, girls, and the cars
They never helped somebody so far
Grab a hold, gonna hold
You're gonna stick it to her
You're gonna stick it to her
Gary got a boner
'Cause Gary's got a boner
Gary's got a boner
Gary's got a boner no, no, oh, oh, oh
You locked that door, lock up that window
Tell your sister just that opinion
My heartache find, find a way
You're gonna stick it to her
Yea, you're gonna stick it to her
Gary got a boner
Gary's got a boner
Gary's got a soft-on
Enough for no, no, no, no,
Let's go
'Cause Gary's got a boner
Gary's got a boner
Gary's got a boner
Gary's got a boner no, no, no, no, no, no
Gary's got a boner no, no, no,
Gary's got a boner no, no, no,
Gary's got it, he's got it
The Replacements' song "Gary's Got a Boner" is a playful and irreverent tune that seems to be about a teenage boy named Gary who is all worked up and excited about his sexual exploits or fantasies. The song starts with a call to action for Gary to get his "head on right" and "head on straight", both figuratively and literally, before diving into his plans to "get down" and "stick it to her". The "her" mentioned in the song is Madonna, who is portrayed as an unattainable but desirable sex symbol.
The chorus of the song is repeated multiple times, with everyone singing along that "Gary's got a boner". There are also some playful lines about locking doors and windows, and telling his sister to keep her opinion to herself. Overall, the song seems to be a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek celebration of adolescent male desire and bravado.
Despite its controversial and potentially offensive subject matter, "Gary's Got a Boner" has remained a cult favorite among fans of The Replacements and punk rock more broadly. It is a testament to the band's unconventional approach to music and their willingness to push boundaries and challenge conventions. The song is also notable for its catchy melody and sing-along chorus, which have helped to keep it in the public consciousness over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
C'mon little Gary, get your head on right
Encouraging Gary to focus and be mentally prepared for what's about to happen
C'mon little Gary, get your head on straight
Emphasizing the need for Gary to have a clear mind and avoid distractions
You're gonna get down
Gary is going to participate in sexual activity
You're gonna finger to her
Gary is going to touch his partner sexually
You're gonna fuck Madonna
Gary is fantasizing about having sex with a celebrity, or using Madonna as a metaphor for a desirable woman
You're gonna see her, ohhh
Gary is excited about the prospect of having sex and seeing his partner
Forget about the lights, girls, and the cars
Gary is being told to focus on sex and not be distracted by materialistic things
They never helped somebody so far
Materialistic things aren't a prerequisite for sexual pleasure
Grab a hold, gonna hold
Gary is being instructed to take control and be assertive
You're gonna stick it to her
Gary is going to have sex with his partner
Gary got a boner
Gary is sexually aroused
'Cause Gary's got a boner
The reason for Gary's sexual excitement
Gary's got a soft-on
Gary is losing his sexual arousal or is unable to maintain it
Enough for no, no, no, no, Let's go
The lack of sexual arousal is a disappointment and it's time to move on to something else
You locked that door, lock up that window
Gary is being told to take measures to ensure privacy during his sexual encounter
Tell your sister just that opinion
Gary is being cautioned to keep his sex life private and not share details with his family members
My heartache find, find a way
There may be emotional consequences to sexual activity
Gary's got it, he's got it
Gary is confident in his sexual ability and prowess
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHRIS MARS, PAUL WESTERBERG, ROBERT STINSON,, TOMMY STINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrBigfatturd
I'm gonna prank call someone named Gary and just play the "Gary's got a boner" part. Anyways, such a fucking awesome song! Love the Replacements!
Alberto Baglietto
I love this song. I fell in love with it instantly. They were a talented band!
cubyman23
Songs like this and Tommy Gets His Tonsils Taken Out, made the more thoughtful songs HIT that much harder. Just one of the greatest albums off time. It's the only album that is almost like a person in that it is a fuck up but has a good heart.
GreenCanvasInteriorscape
been using this tune as a template for kids songs for twelve years, it works
imagine my kids bemusement when they discover the real lyrics
Henryxmusic
This Album was on Rolling Stones best 100 albums of all time. I had this album when I was in college.
Lupo de' Lupis
This is sheer honest rock 'n roll!
Gail Sisk
What a band!
ih8music
Loved how the mats could sing this song and then come back with Sixteen Blue or Androgynous or Answering Machine next.
MCHacker
My dad introduced me to this masterpiece.
DefLeppard1221
I love this comment thread