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.
Viking Suit
The Vandals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of The Vandals's song Viking Suit narrate the twisted thoughts and actions of an individual who preys on young boys. The song begins with the predator luring a young boy with the promise of a candy bar if he gets in his car. The predator, disguised as a friend of the boy's mother, hides his deep-seated obsessions and sexual frustrations behind his Nordic heritage and desire to be like the explorer Lief Ericksson who discovered America.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the predator is a photographer, who takes pleasure in dressing up little boys in Viking suits in his studio. He frequently watches little boys walking home from school in his neighborhood, looking for his next victim. The chorus of the song warns against growing up to become someone like the predator, who indulges in such heinous acts.
Overall, the lyrics of Viking Suit are a commentary on the dangers of child predators and the need for vigilance in protecting children from harm.
Line by Line Meaning
Come here little boy
The singer is calling out to a young boy in a seductive manner.
I'm a friend of your mother's
The singer is trying to persuade the young boy to trust him by claiming to be acquainted with his mother.
I'll give you a candy bar if you get in the car
The singer is offering the young boy a reward for getting into his vehicle, likely with malicious intent.
Okay
The young boy agrees to the artist's proposition, possibly unaware of the danger he is putting himself in.
He's got his camera
The artist is equipped with a camera, indicating that he may be a photographer or a voyeur.
and deep seeded obsessions
The singer has underlying fixations or desires that significantly impact his actions and behavior towards others.
His nordic heritage
The singer takes pride in his Nordic ancestry, which may be related to his preference for dressing up young boys in Viking suits.
and sexual frustrations
The artist experiences pent-up sexual desires that manifest in his interactions with young boys in Viking suits.
He wants to be Lief Ericksson
The artist has a desire to emulate the Norwegian explorer Leif Erikson, who is known for discovering America.
to discover America
The artist has an unrealistic goal to follow in the footsteps of Leif Erikson and make a significant discovery that would garner him recognition and fame.
but he's not
The singer acknowledges that he is not Leif Erikson and is unlikely to make a significant discovery.
He's just a photographer
The artist admits that he is not a great explorer, but merely a photographer who takes pictures of young boys in Viking suits.
who likes little boys in viking suits
The singer has a sexual preference for young boys dressed in Viking suits.
He likes to take the little boys
The singer derives pleasure from taking young boys to his studio and dressing them up in Viking suits.
walking home from school
The singer targets young boys who are walking home from school and are vulnerable to his advances.
in his neighborhood
The artist preys on boys who reside in the same area as him.
Take them to his studio
The artist lures young boys back to his studio for his own pleasure and desires.
and dress them up in viking suits
The singer has a fetish for dressing young boys as Vikings and may act out his sexual fantasies while doing so.
Words of wisdom
The singer is imparting sage advice on the listener.
Each one rings true
The artist's advice is genuine and accurate.
Watching little brothers could happen to you
The artist warns that anyone could be at risk of predatory behavior towards young children, including siblings or friends.
So don't grow up to be a guy
The artist advises against growing up to become a person who sexually preys on young boys in Viking suits.
Who takes pictures of little boys in viking suits
The singer specifically calls out the problematic and harmful behavior of taking pictures of young boys dressed as Vikings for sexual gratification.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ashetonpop
One of the best Punk songs ever, ever, EVER!!!
Atomic Werewolf76
So glad I had "When in Rome do as the Vandals" when I was 12 years old..🙈🙈🙈
Eli Knight
I listened to this shit when I was 8.
(Edit)
I think.
SharkimusPrime
that bass is fucking beautiful, broskis.
Natasha Goldstein
Pull up to some poor High School kid in his skinny jeans with this song playing right from the beginning, and do the 'come here little boy' part. Yeah. Also, try renting a nice car and then pull up to some girls playing The Kids of Widney High " I Got a New Car".
Yeah, I'm absolutely a loser!
Böbby H. Blänk
Joe is playing drums on this song, Joe couldn't play that bass line to save his life
Basard100
lol, so savage...... don't grow up to be that guy....
Dave Fuller
He wants to be Leif Eriksen, to travel to America BUT HE’S NOT!!!! ROFL 🤣 savage
WhiteSpyder170
@thefinalb0ss yeah, it was awesome.
sam tito
Come here little boy.