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.
Slap of Love
The Vandals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of The Vandals's song Slap of Love explore a disturbing and misogynistic view of romantic relationships. The song depicts a conversation between a man and a woman, where the man asks the woman how much she loves him, and then slaps her in the face as a demonstration of love. The lyrics also suggest that a man should never let a woman get the upper hand in the relationship, and that slapping her down is the best way to keep her in line. The refrain "Give her that slap of love, it will keep her coming around" reinforces the idea that physical violence is an acceptable expression of love.
The song is a commentary on toxic masculinity and the culture of domestic abuse that is still prevalent in our society. By portraying violence against women as a normal and desirable aspect of romantic relationships, the lyrics perpetuate harmful attitudes and behaviors that have serious consequences for both women and men. The song is a warning against the dangers of conforming to traditional gender roles and power dynamics, and a call for greater empathy, respect, and mutual understanding in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Guy: Do you love me baby?
Guy is asking the girl if she loves him.
Girl: Yes
The girl confirms that she loves the guy.
Guy: Well how much do you love me?
Guy asks the girl to quantify her level of love for him.
Girl: A whole bunch
The girl assures the guy that her love for him is a lot.
Guy: Well how much is a whole bunch?
Guy asks for a specific amount to understand how much she loves him.
Girl: Well I don't know
The girl admits that she cannot measure the amount of her love with certainty.
Guy: This much?
The guy slaps the girl to indicate that this is how much she loves him.
[ SLAP ]
The guy slaps the girl to give her an idea of how much she loves him.
Don't say sorry
Guy advises not to apologize for slapping the woman.
or call her baby
Guy advises not to call the woman 'baby'.
and if she wants to go out
Guy advises to reject her request to go out somewhere.
say, "Maybe"
Guy advises to give unclear answers to her questions and requests.
Never let her get the upper hand
Guy advises to maintain control in the relationship.
A woman can't respect a weak man
Guy believes that women cannot respect a weak man.
And if she talks back
Guy advises to physically discipline the woman if she talks back to him.
You just have to slap her down
Guy suggests slapping the woman to discipline her.
Give her that slap of love
Guy believes that slapping the woman is a form of love.
It will keep her coming around
The guy thinks that slapping the woman will make her stay in the relationship.
So she ran out?
Guy is wondering if the woman left.
Let her pout!
Guy advises to let the woman sulk and not try to console her.
She just went down to the store
Guy thinks that the woman left to go to the store.
You know she'll have an apology and a Sixer
Guy is confident that the woman will return with an apology and a six-pack of beer.
when she comes through that door
Guy expects the woman to come back.
She loves that stinging pain
Guy believes that the woman enjoys being physically disciplined.
And she knows you'll have to do it again
Guy thinks that the woman is aware that he will have to discipline her again.
Don't feel sorry
Guy advises to not feel remorseful for slapping the woman.
That's a mistake
Guy thinks that feeling sorry for disciplining the woman is a mistake.
The biggest one you'll ever make
Guy believes that feeling sorry for disciplining the woman is a significant mistake.
I wouldn't trust her
Guy does not trust the woman.
as far as I could throw her
Guy does not trust the woman to the extent that he can throw her.
You might love her
Guy recognizes his love for the woman.
but you don't know her
Guy thinks that he does not know the woman well enough to trust her.
Show her your love with a slap
Guy believes that slapping the woman is a way of showing her love.
You know that she will come back
Guy expects the woman to return to the relationship after being physically disciplined.
Now you're looking at the rings on your hand
Guy is admiring the rings on his hand and feeling powerful.
And you're feeling like a hell of a man
Guy feels empowered and manly after disciplining the woman.
The woman now knows her place
Guy believes that the woman understands and accepts her position in the relationship.
I can see it in her rosy face
Guy thinks he can see the woman's acceptance of her place in her flushed face.
And if she talks back
Guy thinks that physical discipline is necessary if the woman talks back.
You just have to slap her down
Guy advises to discipline the woman by slapping her.
Give her that slap of love
Guy thinks that slapping the woman is a form of love.
It will keep her coming around
Guy believes that physically disciplining the woman will keep her in the relationship.
Show her your love with a slap
Guy believes that slapping the woman is a way of expressing love.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ted Cantu
I love how this classic song has no advertisements... LOL.. NOBODY wants to side up alongside with this one.
Veggie McTaco
Ted Cantu - So true! 😅 Not to mention they excluded it from the album on Spotify. Welcome to gentrified punk!
Toilet Paper
I'm gonna play this song at my wedding
puto_bacala
Classic lmfao
Ihateworking1
FUCK YES this song is finally back on youtube. This may be one of the best songs ever writen.
FireIsTheCIeanser
It's so messed up but that intro part makes me laugh every time.
3chrds
The Vandals are always hilarious
Elite Punk666
Love it!!!
syntaxx1269
love this song
Will Stoops
"She loves that stinging pain! And she knows you'll have to DO IT AGAIN!!!" 😂😂😂