The lyrics of this goofy thrash number present a 17-year-old girl who, "don't wanna go steady" because she's "probably not ready." The female in question is model, Amanda Norgaard, whom Vaccines lyricist and vocalist Justin Young has only met once.
He told the NME:
"She was beautiful but she kissed my friend. It didn't affect me as much as the song might suggest it did but I thought it would an interesting experiment to write a song about something that wasn't beating me up. I'd only ever written about things I was obsessing over, it made a nice change and came pretty easy."
Nørgaard is a Danish model, and Young disclosed to Q magazine that he wrote the song after a disastrous double date with the Dane. "This other girl and my friend… who got off with the pair of them," he sighed. "I usually can only write when I'm agitated about something."
This was released as the fifth single from What Did You Expect from the Vaccines? and Amanda Norgaard features in the song's music video.
Norgaard
The Vaccines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Great Dane's cheekbones, teenage hormones
Young complexion, non-physical affection
You're a godsend, do you want a boyfriend?
Crazy crazy, easy tiger
Her mind's made up, she don't wanna go steady
A-M-A-N-D-A Norgaard
I saw you on a cover on Cross Bay Boulevard
Smaller tits and skinny framework
Tall, sharp hips and you're all in the same work
Giving me the sweet talk, walking down the catwalk
I want a mannequin, but she won't let me in
Her mind's made up, she don't wanna go steady
She's only seventeen, so she's probably not ready
A-M-A-N-D-A Norgaard
I saw you on a cover on Cross Bay Boulevard
Ooh (woo)
Ooh (woo)
Ooh (woo)
Ooh
Her mind's made up, she don't wanna go steady
She's only seventeen, so she's probably not ready
A-M-A-N-D-A Norgaard
I saw you on a cover on Cross Bay Boulevard
Her mind's made up, she don't wanna go steady
She's only seventeen, so she's probably not ready
A-M-A-N-D-A Norgaard
I saw you on a cover on Cross Bay Boulevard
Ooh (woo)
Ooh
The Vaccines' song "Norgaard" appears to be about a young woman named Amanda Norgaard. The song seems to describe the singer's intense physical attraction to Amanda, noting her beauty and model-like physique: "Smaller tits and skinny framework / Tall, sharp hips and you're all in the same work." The song flirts with the idea of a romantic relationship, with the singer asking if Amanda wants a boyfriend, amidst descriptions of teenage hormones and physical attraction. However, Amanda's mind is already made up: she doesn't want to "go steady," likely due to her young age. Despite this, the singer continues to be drawn to Amanda, almost to the point of wanting to possess her like a "mannequin," though he notes that she "won't let me in."
Overall, the lyrics of "Norgaard" paint a picture of young lust and attraction, with the singer clearly smitten with Amanda's physical appearance but unsure of how to navigate a potential relationship given their age difference and Amanda's current wishes.
Line by Line Meaning
Great Dane's cheekbones, teenage hormones
The girl he is singing about has striking facial features and is young and full of energy.
Young complexion, non-physical affection
Although she is young, he is not necessarily interested in her physically right away; he is more interested in her as a person and the connection they may have.
You're a godsend, do you want a boyfriend?
He considers her to be a blessing in his life and wants to pursue a relationship with her.
Crazy crazy, easy tiger
He is overwhelmed with his feelings for her but is trying to keep himself in check.
Her mind's made up, she don't wanna go steady
The girl is not interested in a committed relationship at this time.
She's only seventeen, so she's probably not ready
He acknowledges that she is young and might not be emotionally prepared for a serious relationship.
A-M-A-N-D-A Norgaard
He is referring to the girl he is singing about, Amanda Norgaard.
I saw you on a cover on Cross Bay Boulevard
He might have discovered her or been intrigued by her when he saw her modeling or appearing in a magazine or on a billboard.
Smaller tits and skinny framework
He is admiring her body type and appreciating her unique features.
Tall, sharp hips and you're all in the same work
He finds her height and curviness attractive and considers her to be a successful model.
Giving me the sweet talk, walking down the catwalk
She may be charming and flirty with him while they are together, but he also admires her modeling skills.
I want a mannequin, but she won't let me in
He desires her physical appearance and might be frustrated that she isn't as interested in him romantically.
Lyrics © Global Talent Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Freddie Cowan, Arni Arnason, Justin Hayward-Young, Peter Robertson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@daikishimizu617
[Verse 1]
Great Danes cheekbones
Teenage hormones
Young complexion
Non-physical affection
You're a god send
Do you want a boyfriend?
Crazy crazy, easy tiger
[Chorus]
Her mind's made up, she don't want to go steady
She's only seventeen so she's probably not ready
A-m-a-n-d-a Norgaard
I saw you on a cover on Cross Bay Boulevard
[Verse 2]
Smaller tits
And skinny framework
Tall, sharp hips
And you're all in the same work
Giving me the sweet talk
Walking down the catwalk
I want a mannequin
But she won't let me in
[Chorus]
Her mind's made up, she don't want to go steady
She's only seventeen so she's probably not ready
A-m-a-n-d-a Norgaard
I saw you on a cover on Cross Bay Boulevard
[Chorus]
Her mind's made up, she don't want to go steady
She's only seventeen so she's probably not ready
A-m-a-n-d-a Norgaard
I saw you on a cover on Cross Bay Boulevard
[Chorus]
Her mind's made up, she don't want to go steady
She's only seventeen so she's probably not ready
A-m-a-n-d-a Norgaard
I saw you on a cover on Cross Bay Boulevard
@bulletnose7222
One of those song you wish was longer
@nidiatrevino5170
Hell yes
@Son_of_Mandalore
What did you expect from The Vaccines? 🤔
@rubywait5809
Although its annoying having to press repeat all the time, the length and simplicity of this song makes me love it even more.
@Vanessavvanessa
i just realized this song is at the beginning of "diary of a wimpy kid: rodrick rules" when greg and his family go to the roller skating rink
@edmundpickard2420
Yeah, I heard it there and it just unlocked memories of driving down the east coast to Florida, I had completely forgotten this song even existed when I heard it so much when I was younger
@graysenmyers2216
I literally realized that just last night
@DanielEngsvang
The most underrated band compared to how extremely good they are at both making music AND lyrics that really HIT you! 🙂😊
@lassenrgaard112
I'd never expect an English band to make a song, titled with me last name. L-a-s-s-e Norgaard. Yeah!
@HalfPintFPV
hell yeah