The group gained some notoriety when a single from its first album, Blood and Roses, was included on the soundtrack for and as the theme song of the 1986 Albert Pyun movie Dangerously Close and the video got some moderately heavy rotation on MTV. The group spent some time in its initial semi-celebrity phase defending itself in Rolling Stone against thinly-veiled accusations of sounding too much like The Byrds and The Beatles, pointing out that its Marshall Amplifier-heavy live sound was closer to heavy metal than it was to The Beatles.
Along with a basic Eastern-coast roots-rock sound that owed much to the inspirations of DiNizio, including Buddy Holly, The Who, The Clash, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe, the Smithereens deployed a uniquely retro obsession with Mod, the late British Invasion pop of John's Children and The Move, and other artifacts of fifties and sixties culture that lent its music substance and style. The highest position a Smithereens album attained on the Billboard pop charts was in 1990, when 11 peaked at #41 on the strength of the single A Girl Like You (which hit #38). The group is still active and tours frequently, but went for seven years without releasing a new studio album, following God Save the Smithereens in 1999.
In January 2007, the band released a cover of the album Meet the Beatles titled Meet the Smithereens. Bassist Mike Mesaros does not appear on the album, replaced by Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion . An album of original material was promised for later in the year, but Christmas with The Smithereens, released in October 2007, included only three original songs along with nine covers of Christmas songs.
A Girl Like You
The Smithereens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I never found the nerve to try and walk up to you
But now I am a man and I know that there's no time to waste
There's too much to lose
Girl, you say anything at all, and you know that you can call
And I'll be right there for you
First love, heartbreak, tough luck, big mistake
What else can you do
I'll say anything you want to hear
I'll see everything through
I'll do anything I have to do
Just to win the love of a girl like you, a girl like you
People talk and people stare, tell them I don't really care
This is the place I should be
And if they think it's really strange for a girl like you
To be in love with someone like me
I want to tell them all to go to hell
That we're doing very well without them you see
That's just the way it is and they will see
I am yours and you are mine, the way it should be
I'll say anything you want to hear
I'll see everything through
I'll do anything I have to do
Just to win the love of a girl like you, a girl like you
A girl like you, oh yeah
(Go!)
Now if I seem a little wild, there's no holding back
I'm trying to get a message to you
I won't take anything from anyone
I won't walk and I won't run, I believe in you
London, Washington, anywhere you are I'll run
Together we'll be
Inside, outside, got my pride
I won't let 'em take you from me
I'll say anything you want to hear
I'll see everything through
I'll do anything I have to do
Just to win the love of a girl like you, a girl like you
A girl like you, a girl like you
A girl like you, a girl like you, oh yeah
I'll say anything (I'll say anything)
I'll take anything (I'll take anything)
I'll say anything, almost anything
Except goodbye
I'll say anything (I'll say anything)
I'll take anything (I'll take anything)
I'll say anything, almost anything
Except goodbye
The Smithereens' "A Girl Like You" is an infatuation song about a man who is telling a woman that he is head over heels in love with her. The song starts with the singer admitting that he used to be shy, and he never had the nerve to approach her. However, as he matures, he realizes that life is too short to waste time, and he decides to take a chance. He reassures her that he will be there for her, through thick and thin, and he will do everything in his power to win her love.
Despite the judgment of others, the man is determined to be with her, and he couldn't care less if people stare and talk. He declares that he loves her and that they are doing well together without worrying about the opinions of others. He is proud of her and their relationship, and he won't let anyone come in between them.
Towards the end of the song, the singer implores that he would do anything for her, except walk away. It's an exuberant declaration of admiration, full of energy and passion that captures the moment of a person who has finally found the love they have been chasing.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to travel in the shadows
I used to be shy and not approach you in public
And I never found the nerve to try and walk up to you
I lacked the courage to talk to you in person
But now I am a man and I know that there's no time to waste
But I have grown up and realized that time is of the essence
There's too much to lose
I don't want to miss my chance with you
Girl, you say anything at all, and you know that you can call
I'm always available to listen to you
And I'll be right there for you
I'll be there to support you
First love, heartbreak, tough luck, big mistake
We'll face difficulties together and navigate through them
What else can you do
We'll persevere and get through anything
I'll say anything you want to hear
I'm willing to say what you need to hear
I'll see everything through
I'm ready to support you no matter what happens
I'll do anything I have to do
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make you happy
Just to win the love of a girl like you, a girl like you
I'll do everything in my power to win your love
People talk and people stare, tell them I don't really care
We shouldn't worry about what others think or say
This is the place I should be
Being with you is where I belong
And if they think it's really strange for a girl like you
If they find it unusual for you to be with me
To be in love with someone like me
To love someone like me
I want to tell them all to go to hell
I don't care about their opinions
That we're doing very well without them you see
We're happy together and their criticisms don't matter
That's just the way it is and they will see
Our love is real and they'll realize it eventually
I am yours and you are mine, the way it should be
We belong together and that's how it's supposed to be
Now if I seem a little wild, there's no holding back
I'm passionate about you and our love
I'm trying to get a message to you
I want to express my love and devotion to you
I won't take anything from anyone
I won't let anyone come between us
I won't walk and I won't run, I believe in you
I'll stand by your side through thick and thin
London, Washington, anywhere you are I'll run
I'll go wherever you are
Together we'll be
We'll be together through everything
Inside, outside, got my pride
I pride myself on being loyal to you
I won't let 'em take you from me
I'm willing to fight for our love and protect you
I'll take anything (I'll take anything)
I'll accept anything you have to offer
I'll say anything, almost anything
I'm willing to express my love in any way possible
Except goodbye
Except for us breaking up, I'll do anything for you
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: PAT DINIZIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@midwesterngentleman7944
First heard this song in 91. It struck a chord in me then and still does now. Anyone still listening in almost 2024?
@wstks-fmworldwide5390
Yes, indeed! February 2024. Still listening to those wonderfully crunchy guitars.
@Wings_of_foam
Why are people always saying, Anyone listening in (present year) ?
As long as you're still digging the band, why do you need to know if anyone else is still in the same boat?
I still listen to tons of music years later, but I don't need to ask if the bands are still relevant, because I think they are still great.
Haha, sorry but I guess I'm just tired of watching the same comments everywhere.
@markryan1820
Yep!!
@kenster007
Heck yeah. Lucky the local home depot jams this and blood and roses plus others
@ronviens7040
It's 2023 for me, and I'm still listening to these guys, my favorite band of the '80's and on.
@stapleremover
\m/
@CynthiaJFinnegan
Same. If I remember right, Maria Vidal sang backup. She has a great voice, too.
@jodiegerard7070
The concert in Milwaukee, WI was epic!!
@kerryforrest6147
@@CynthiaJFinnegan then why would they cheat her out of being in their video? Didn't happen