Having been signed to Columbia Records, the band released their second single "Post Break-Up Sex" on 24th January 2011. The song entered at number thirty-two in the U.K. The band released their debut album What Did You Expect from The Vaccines? on 14th March through Columbia Records. The album made the top five in the U.K. Singles released after the album launch were "If You Wanna", "All in White", "Nørgaard" and "Wetsuit" / "Tiger Blood".
The Vaccines were also nominated for an MTV Award for 'Best New Band of 2011'.
The No Hope Songfacts reports that The Vaccines second album, The Vaccines Come Of Age, will be released September 3, 2012. The first single to be released from the record, "No Hope", received its first play on Zane Lowe's BBC 1 Radio show on May 28, 2012..
Teenage Icon
The Vaccines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No mystery with no great capabilities, but
I could make out as if I had it, but you know
God I'm so obvious and I should let it go
Oh, I don't know
Oh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm nobody's hero
Reserved and shy, your average guy
No piercing stare, just out of shape with messy hair, but
I always figured I was somebody and wait
And now I'm guessing that my moment must be late
'Cause I'm here
Oh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
I'm not magnetic or mythical
I'm suburban and typical
But I got it, I got it
I'm overrun with it all
Seductive, charm, a way with words
So effortless not leather clad or dangerous, but
I always did it like a real rebel would
I have a photo where John Lennon may have stood
Or so I'm told
Oh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
The Vaccines’ song "Teenage Icon" delves into the idea of identity and self-esteem issues in adolescence. The opening lines "Oh look at me, so ordinary, No mystery with no great capabilities" address the feelings of inadequacy and the struggle to be unique in a world where everyone wants to stand out. However, the singer admits that they could “make out” as if they were anything they wanted to be, but deep down they feel “obvious”; a feeling of not being able to hide who they truly are. Throughout the song, the singer seems to oscillate between self-doubt ("I always figured I was somebody and wait, And now I'm guessing that my moment must be late") and boasting in their own way ("Seductive, charm, a way with words, So effortless not leather-clad or dangerous, but I always did it like a real rebel would").
Despite the singer’s internal struggles, they come to terms with the fact that they are who they are and that’s just fine. They're not a "teenage icon" or anyone's "hero," but they are unique in their own right "I’m not magnetic or mythical, I’m suburban and typical, but I got it. I got it." They suggest that being an icon or hero are not necessarily attainable goals for most people and that it’s important to embrace one's own identity and not compare oneself to others.
"Teenage Icon" is an anthem for young people struggling to find their place in society and dealing with self-doubt. It encourages them to accept themselves as they are, without feeling as though they have to conform, and that being different from the norm is okay.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh look at me, so ordinary
I am nothing special or exceptional
No mystery with no great capabilities, but
I have no hidden strengths or talents
I could make out as if I had it, but you know
I pretend to possess qualities that I don't actually have
God I'm so obvious and I should let it go
I am very transparent and I should stop pretending
Oh, I don't know
I'm uncertain
I'm no teenage icon
I am not a symbol of youth culture
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I am not a famous singer or actor
I'm nobody's hero
I am not a role model or a source of inspiration
Reserved and shy, your average guy
I am introverted and unremarkable
No piercing stare, just out of shape with messy hair, but
I don't have an intense or intimidating gaze, and my appearance is unkempt
I always figured I was somebody and wait
I had the belief that I was destined for greatness
And now I'm guessing that my moment must be late
I now realize that my time for success has passed
'Cause I'm here
Because I am present
I'm not magnetic or mythical
I don't have a captivating or legendary quality
I'm suburban and typical
I am a product of ordinary suburban life
But I got it, I got it
I possess a certain quality
I'm overrun with it all
I am overwhelmed by my own attribute
Seductive, charm, a way with words
I have a certain allure and charisma, and I am good with language
So effortless not leather clad or dangerous, but
I make it look easy despite not being edgy or rebellious
I always did it like a real rebel would
I acted like a true nonconformist
I have a photo where John Lennon may have stood
I have a picture that gives me a connection to someone famous
Or so I'm told
That's what I've been informed, but I'm not sure if it's true
I'm no teenage icon
I am not a symbol of youth culture
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I am not a famous singer or actor
I'm nobody's hero
I am not a role model or a source of inspiration
Lyrics © Global Talent Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Arni Hjorvar Arnason, Freddie Clayton Cowan, Peter Gareth Christopher Robertson, Justin James Hayward-Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
daiki shimizu
Oh look at me, so ordinary
No mystery with no great capabilities, but
I could make out as if I had it, but you know
God I'm so obvious and I should let it go
Oh, I don't know, ooh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
Reserved and shy, your average guy
No piercing stare, just out of shape with messy hair but
I always figured I was somebody and wait
And now I'm guessing that my moment must be late
Cause I'm here, ooh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
I'm not magnetic or mythical
I'm suburban and typical
But I got it, I got it
I'm over on with it all
Seductive, charming way with words
So effortless not leather clad or dangerous, but
I always did it like a real rebel would
I have a photo where John Lennon may have stood
Or so I'm told, ooh
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
isaac salazar
Lyrics
Oh look at me so ordinary, no mystery, with no great capabilities,
But I could make out as if I had it but you know,
God I'm so obvious and I should let it go, oh I don't know.
I'm no teenage icon,
I'm no Frankie Avalon,
I'm nobody's hero.
Reserved and shy, your average guy,
No piercing stare, just out of shape with messy hair,
But I always figured I was somebody in wait,
And now I'm guessing that my moment must be late cause I'm here, oh
I'm no teenage icon,
I'm no Frankie Avalon,
I'm nobody's hero.
I'm not magnetic or mythical,
I'm suburban and typical,
But I got it, I got it
I'm overrun with it all.
Seductive charm a way with words so effortless
Not leather clad or dangerous,
But I always did it like a real rebel would,
I had a photo where John Lennon may have stood, or so I'm told.
I'm no teenage icon,
I'm no Frankie Avalon,
I'm nobody's hero.
[x2]
Bibiana Garcez
The Vaccines + The Strokes + Arctic Monkeys = "State Of The Art-Norm" Love these guys < 3
King Timon
Where can I find it?
hectorc01
With a dash of the Enemy 👌
Barry Horne
No
Jaris 443
@Todd Orzechowski yes!
Todd Orzechowski
With a splash of the ramones
francesca green
I can't sit still when I listen to these guys, I just end up jumping all over the place singing as loudly as I can
Ari M.
" I'm not magnetic or mythical, I'm suburban and typical" is the best line of the whole song
Caroline D
I don't know Freddie personally either, but I can tell you when I met him and the rest of the band at Reading Festival last year, they all couldn't have been nicer, and seemed to genuinely appreciate our support. It's evident that he is in the industry because he is passionate about music, and if that makes you a 'douche' then I wasn't aware of the change to it's meaning! I think Teenage Icon is a great track, the guitar line is one of the best I've heard in a while, can't wait for the album!
wymannliew
Just witness them live today. AWESOME is the word to describe them.