The Vandals are an American punk rock band formed in 1980 in Huntington Bea… Read Full Bio ↴The Vandals are an American punk rock band formed in 1980 in Huntington Beach, California and currently recording for Kung Fu Records. They have released ten full-length studio albums and two live albums and have toured the world extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour. They are well-known for their use of humor, preferring to use their music as a vehicle for entertainment and sarcasm rather than as a platform for more "serious" issues.

The band's lineup fluctuated significantly over their first nine years, though founding members Steven Ronald "Stevo" Jensen, guitarist Jan Nils Ackermann, and first consistent drummer Joe Escalante remained regular fixtures. Of the original members only Escalante has remained through all incarnations of the band. The current lineup of Escalante, Dave Quackenbush, Warren Fitzgerald, and Josh Freese has remained intact since 1990 and is considered by most fans to be far removed from the band's early 1980s incarnation. Since 2002 Escalante has released all of the band's albums through his Kung Fu Records label, with Fitzgerald generally producing.

Kick It
The Vandals Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't need much attention anymore
Sometimes I cringe at the thought
Of the things that I did before
And I don't want to take up all your time
Sometimes I cringe at the thought
Of being left behind
She said "You're not the boss of me"
And I don't want to be

Just some guy trying to be
Something that I'm not

[Chorus]
Do you want to kick it, wit me?
I want to kick it with you
Do you want to kick it, wit me?
I want to kick it with you

Everyone has something for you now
And I know, well I hope
That I one be one of the crowd
If you feel that I am out of line
Well I hope that you don't,
But I won't wait in line
I have learned not to offer much advice
Who am I? Just a guy,
Like I know how to run your life
Well I guess I'll tell you who I am
I'm a man with a plan
Make you say goddamn
She said "You're not the boss of me"
And I don't want to be
Just some guy trying to be
Something that I'm not

[Chorus:Repeat x2]

And everybody's got something new to offer you

And all the wonderful things that they can do
I keep it simple, I just want to kick it with you

Overall Meaning

The Vandals' song "You're Not The Boss Of Mу" is a song about a person who has grown up and matured to understand that they don't need much attention anymore. They cringe at the thought of the things they did before and don't want to take up all their partner's time. The song talks about not wanting to be seen as someone who is trying to be something they're not, and not trying to run someone else's life. The chorus talks about the desire to simply hang out with the person in question, rather than getting involved in the politics and drama that come with all the other people trying to get close to them.

The song is a reflection of growing up and trying to find your place in the world. It's about accepting your limitations and being content with who you are, instead of constantly trying to present an image of who you think you should be. It's a song that resonates with anyone who has struggled to fit in and find their way in life. In the end, the message of the song is one of simplicity and authenticity - just be yourself and enjoy the company of those you love.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't need much attention anymore
I am content with being alone and don't need to be the center of attention.

Sometimes I cringe at the thought of the things that I did before
I am sometimes embarrassed by my past actions or decisions.

And I don't want to take up all your time
I don't want to be a burden and monopolize your time.

Of being left behind
I fear being left out or excluded from your life.

She said "You're not the boss of me"
My partner asserted their independence from my controlling behavior.

And I don't want to be just some guy trying to be something that I'm not
I don't want to pretend to be someone I'm not in order to please others.

Do you want to kick it, wit me? I want to kick it with you
Would you like to hang out with me? I would enjoy spending time with you.

Everyone has something for you now
People are constantly trying to get your attention or offer you things.

And I know, well I hope that I won't be one of the crowd
I hope to stand out from the people vying for your attention.

Well I hope that you don't, but I won't wait in line
I hope you don't make me wait my turn, but I won't hesitate to leave if I have to.

I have learned not to offer much advice
I have learned to keep my opinions to myself and not offer unsolicited advice.

Like I know how to run your life
I am not qualified or entitled to make decisions for you.

I'm a man with a plan, make you say goddamn
I have a clear idea of what I want and I am confident in my abilities.

And everybody's got something new to offer you
People are constantly competing to offer you something better or more exciting.

And all the wonderful things that they can do
They try to impress you with their skills and accomplishments.

I keep it simple, I just want to kick it with you
I am not trying to impress you with flashy things or grand gestures, I just want to spend time with you.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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