I'm a Teenage Dirtbag
Wheatus Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Her name is Noel
I have a dream about her
She rings my bell
I got gym class in half an hour
Oh, how she rocks
In Keds and tube socks
But she doesn't know who I am
And she doesn't give a damn about me

'Cause I'm just a teenage dirt bag, baby
Yeah, I'm just a teenage dirt bag, baby
Listen to Iron Maiden, baby, with me, ooh

Her boyfriend's a dick
And he brings a gun to school
And he'd simply kick my ass if he knew the truth
He lives on my block
And he drives an IROC
But he doesn't know who I am
And he doesn't give a damn about me

'Cause I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby
Yeah, I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby
Listen to Iron Maiden, baby, with me, ooh

Oh, yeah, dirtbag
No, she doesn't know what she's missin'
Oh, yeah, dirtbag
No, she doesn't know what she's missin'

Man, I feel like mold
It's prom night and I am lonely
'Lo and behold
She's walkin' over to me
This must be fake
My lip starts to shake
How does she know who I am?
And why does she give a damn about?
"I've got two tickets to Iron Maiden, baby
Come with me Friday, don't say maybe
I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby, like you, ooh"

Oh, yeah, dirtbag
No, she doesn't know what she's missin'




Oh, yeah, dirtbag
No, she doesn't know what she's missin', oh, oh

Overall Meaning

The song "Teenage Dirtbag" by Wheatus tells the story of a teenage boy who is infatuated with a girl named Noel. He dreams about her and admires the way she rocks her Keds and tube socks, but she doesn't even know he exists. The boy refers to himself as a "teenage dirtbag" and feels like an outcast. He laments over the fact that Noel's boyfriend is a violent person who would beat him up if he knew he had a crush on her. Despite all of this, the boy feels hopeful when Noel asks him to join her on a date to see Iron Maiden. It's a simple song with a catchy melody, but it captures the essence of teenage angst and longing for love and acceptance.


Line by Line Meaning

Her name is Noel
The singer is dreaming about a girl named Noel whom he admires.


I have a dream about her
The singer dreams of being with Noel.


She rings my bell
The singer is happy to see her.


I got gym class in half an hour
The artist has a limited time to interact with her.


Oh, how she rocks
The artist admires her appearance.


In Keds and tube socks
The singer describes her outfit.


But she doesn't know who I am
The singer is unimportant to Noel.


And she doesn't give a damn about me
Noel doesn't care about the artist.


'Cause I'm just a teenage dirt bag, baby
The artist sees himself as a worthless person because of his social status.


Yeah, I'm just a teenage dirt bag, baby
The artist again laments his position in society.


Listen to Iron Maiden, baby, with me, ooh
The singer invites Noel to listen to music he enjoys.


Her boyfriend's a dick
Noel's boyfriend is unpleasant to the artist.


And he brings a gun to school
The boyfriend is armed and dangerous.


And he'd simply kick my ass if he knew the truth
The singer is afraid of the boyfriend and cannot act out of fear.


He lives on my block
The antagonist is a neighbor.


And he drives an IROC
The antagonist has a fancy car.


But he doesn't know who I am
The antagonist underestimates the artist.


And he doesn't give a damn about me
The antagonist has no regard for the singer.


'Cause I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby
The singer sees himself as worthless and powerless against the antagonist.


Yeah, I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby
The artist again laments his social position and lack of power.


Listen to Iron Maiden, baby, with me, ooh
The artist invites Noel to listen to music he enjoys (again).


Oh, yeah, dirtbag
The artist self-deprecates by calling himself a dirtbag.


No, she doesn't know what she's missin'
The singer believes that Noel would be better off with him instead of her current boyfriend.


Oh, yeah, dirtbag
The artist continues to self-deprecate by calling himself a dirtbag.


No, she doesn't know what she's missin', oh, oh
The singer repeats that he thinks Noel would be better off with him.


Man, I feel like mold
The singer feels worthless and unimportant.


It's prom night and I am lonely
The singer is alone on a night that is supposed to be special.


'Lo and behold
The artist suddenly notices Noel approaching him.


She's walkin' over to me
Noel is coming closer to the artist.


This must be fake
The singer cannot believe his luck that Noel is coming to talk to him.


My lip starts to shake
The singer is nervous and excited to talk to Noel.


How does she know who I am?
The artist is confused about how Noel knows him.


And why does she give a damn about?
The artist is surprised that Noel cares about him.


"I've got two tickets to Iron Maiden, baby
The artist again invites Noel to listen to music he loves.


Come with me Friday, don't say maybe
The singer asks Noel to come with him to a concert.


I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby, like you, ooh"
The artist sees himself and Noel as similar people.


Oh, yeah, dirtbag
The singer again calls himself a dirtbag.


No, she doesn't know what she's missin'
The singer again thinks he would be better for Noel.


Oh, yeah, dirtbag
The singer continues to self-deprecate.


No, she doesn't know what she's missin', oh, oh
The artist repeats his belief that he would be better for Noel.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brendan Brown

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@hieronymus1432

When I was a kid, I didn't realize how crazy it was for a grown man to sing at this pitch. Banger song.

@G0ne_on_da_track_

When I first heard this song maybe 10 years ago, I thought it was a woman.
But for real , its crazy tho

@ChaniyahWisdom

Ikr 😂

@Wtfisthis48888

That was me with the Bee Gees

@Thatonekid537

Three days ago with three hundred likes is crazy

@TyykkIs

now we are just old :D

98 More Replies...

@chicken

💜2024 And this gem continues to shine 💖💎🔥

@eater_ofcrayons

bot

@TheG4heath

I love you 🎉

@asta9359

Chicken

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