The band issued two albums, A Can of Bees (1979) and Underwater Moonlight (1980), before splitting in 1980. After band's split, Hitchcock began a solo career, and Rew formed the successful pop group Katrina and the Waves. The band has reunited on two occasions since: once for a tour in 1994, and again between 2001 and 2003. During the latter reunion, the group recorded its third album, Nextdoorland in 2002.
Alien
The Soft Boys Lyrics
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I ain't no father and I ain't no son
I ain't no relative of anyone
There's no connection between you and me
And my disguise is all you'll ever see
I'm an alien, baby, I'm an outsider, yeah
Yeah you eat your chickens screaming in the night
Your daughter comes in in a pale moonlight
She sees the feathers scattered on the ground
He's been and gone and never made a sound
He's an alien, baby, he's an outsider, yeah
I'm an alien, baby, I'm an outsider, yeah
Right!
And if I see you snoopin' round my farm
I'll give you a mug of cocoa then I'll break your arm
And if I tortured you upon a rack
You wouldn't say half what you'd say
Behind my back
I'm an alien, baby, I'm an outsider, yeah
I'm an alien, baby, I'm an outsider, yeah
The Soft Boys' song "Alien" is a song that depicts the feeling of alienation and detachment from society in general. The lyrics begin bluntly with the singer stating that he is not related to anyone, neither a father nor a son. He emphasizes that there is no connection between him and society, and that any attempt to understand him will be futile as he is fully disguised. The repetition of the phrase "I'm an alien, baby, I'm an outsider, yeah" affirms that the singer feels like an outsider, detached from the society he is in.
The second verse describes a gruesome scene, where someone has come to the singer's farm and stolen chickens. The singer's daughter has seen the aftermath of the incident and knows that an alien has been in their house. The use of the word "alien" here is a double entendre, because the word usually refers to a foreigner or someone from another country, but here it refers to something supernatural. The chorus repeats, and the song ends with the singer sounding violent and defensive, warning those who might trespass on his property that they will face dire consequences.
Overall, the song expresses the feeling of being disconnected and isolated from the society you're in, and the fear of something unknown that you cannot control. It speaks to those who feel like they don't belong, and it also resonates with people who have experienced a sense of detachment from their surroundings.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't no father and I ain't no son
I don't have any family connections with anyone.
I ain't no relative of anyone
I have no relationship with anyone.
There's no connection between you and me
We have nothing in common.
And my disguise is all you'll ever see
My true identity will always be hidden from you.
I'm an alien, baby, I'm an outsider, yeah
I am a stranger among you.
Yeah you eat your chickens screaming in the night
You have no regard for the animals you consume.
Your daughter comes in in a pale moonlight
Your daughter sees things that you don't.
She sees the feathers scattered on the ground
She sees the aftermath of your actions.
He's been and gone and never made a sound
He is elusive and leaves no trace.
Right!
An exclamation of agreement or acknowledgement.
And if I see you snoopin' round my farm
If you come to my property uninvited.
I'll give you a mug of cocoa then I'll break your arm
I will show you kindness, then violence.
And if I tortured you upon a rack
If I subjected you to intense pain and suffering.
You wouldn't say half what you'd say behind my back
You would never speak ill of me to my face.
I'm an alien, baby, I'm an outsider, yeah
I don't belong here.
I'm an alien, baby, I'm an outsider, yeah
I am not like you.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management
Written by: HITCHCOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind