Segall began his recording career as a part-time musician in various underground bands in Orange County and the San Francisco Bay Area, before beginning a solo career in 2008. Segall's first solo release was the cassette Horn The Unicorn released on the Wizard Mountain label (later re-released by HBSP-2X on vinyl record). Around the same time, Wizard Mountain also released a split cassette featuring Segall and the band Superstitions entitled Halfnonagon.
In 2012, Segall released three LPs: His solo album, Twins; a collaboration with White Fence titled Hair and Slaughterhouse, an album with the Ty Segall Band.
Drop Out Boogie
Ty Segall Lyrics
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I told you what, I told you what
You wanna do what? You wanna do what?
I told you what, I told you what
Go to school, go to school, go to school, go to school
Just cant, just cant, just cant, just cant
Dropout, dropout, dropout, dropout
Can't get a job, can't get a job
Don't know what it, don't know what it
What it's all about, what it's all about
You told her you love her, so bring her to mother
You love her adapt her, you love her adapt her
Then what about after that? Then what about after that?
Support her, support her, you said you'd support her
Get a job, get a job, get a job, get a job
you gotta support her, you told her you love her
So take her to mother, you'll never adapt her
Adapt her, adapt her.
So what about after that? So what about after that?
The lyrics to Ty Segall's song "Drop Out Boogie" echo a classic theme of youthful rebellion against societal expectations. In the opening lines, the cyclical repetition of "You wanna do what? I told you what" emphasizes the frustration and lack of understanding between two opposing sides. The chorus then takes a solid stance against mainstream society's expectations to "go to school" and subsequently "get a job." The repetition of "dropout" and "can't get a job" drive home the singer's feeling of being trapped in a failing system.
The song then takes a shift, as the singer seems to be addressing a romantic partner. They question their motivations for love and suggest bringing their significant other to meet their mother. This is then tempered by the refrain of "Then what about after that?" suggesting the singer's uncertainty about their relationship's future. The final lines repeat the importance of support, but it's unclear whether this is for the romantic partner, the singer's mother, or both. The repetition of "adapt her" also adds a layer of ambiguity - are they telling their partner to conform to societal norms or subtly warning against it?
Overall, "Drop Out Boogie" is a strong rock song that not only embraces the spirit of youthful rebellion but also highlights the internal struggles of fitting within society's norms while maintaining a sense of individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
You wanna do what? You wanna do what?
What do you want to do? What is it you're asking to do?
I told you what, I told you what
I already gave you an answer, I already told you
Go to school, go to school, go to school, go to school
You should attend school, that's what you should do
Just can't, just can't, just can't, just can't
I'm unable to do that, it's just not possible
Dropout, dropout, dropout, dropout
I've decided to leave school and not finish my education
Can't get a job, can't get a job
I'm unable to find employment
Don't know what it, don't know what it
I have no idea what 'it' is, I'm not sure what you're talking about
What it's all about, what it's all about
I'm not sure about the purpose or meaning of something
You told her you love her, so bring her to mother
You expressed your feelings for her, so introduce her to your family
You love her adapt her, you love her adapt her
You care for her, so adjust to meet her needs
Then what about after that? Then what about after that?
What comes next? What are the plans for the future?
Support her, support her, you said you'd support her
You promised to assist her both emotionally and financially
Get a job, get a job, get a job, get a job
Find employment, work and earn money
You gotta support her, you told her you love her
You need to care for her, as you expressed your love
So take her to mother, you'll never adapt her
Introduce her to your family and their way of life may be difficult to adjust to
Adapt her, adapt her.
Change in order to fit with her lifestyle and needs
So what about after that? So what about after that?
What happens next? What are the long-term plans?
Contributed by Joshua H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.