"big boys" and bulemia?

werdna · Post by **werdna** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:19 am

recently a friend of mine gave me her opinion on the lyrics to "big boys": the subject of the song has an eating disorder. a minute or so into the song, elvis refers to a certain "sickness":

"worrying about your physical fitness
tell me how you got this sickness..."

...then the song switches perspectives and he begins singing in the first person.

"i was caught in a suction
by a face like a truncheon..."
(a toilet)
"...i was down upon one knee
stroking her vanity..."
"...as my face returned to red
choking on my pride and pity"
(the act of purging)

i thought it was an interesting theory, and one that makes a great deal of sense. ive always believed that the song was about a person with severe physical insecurities, but this takes it to another level entirely. any thoughts?

also --- ill be attending my first costello show in portland this march...the ticket doesnt specify whether its with the imposters or just a solo gig...anybody know? also, if the man is unaccompanied, any ideas of what to expect? thanks much!

-andrew-

laughingcrow · Post by **laughingcrow** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 3:38 am

I always interpreted that line in the sense of a guy who's insecure about the way his body might look in comparison to others, but haven't thought about the bulimia thing before...interesting.

I don't see how you interpreted a truncheon as a toilet though...it's a big stick!

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 5:29 am

I've never thought of the song in a bulimia sort of way either. It's a young boy's tale of lust.

The opening line is about a boy reaching puberty and getting his first sexual stirrings and the song develops from there. The whole "trying so hard to be like the big boys" is about an awkward boy trying to be like the men with their sexual bravado.

I interpreted the lines

"worrying about your physical fitness
tell me how you got this sickness..."

as someone who is worrying about his sexual perfomance. The sickness is love/lust sickness.

Similarly

"I was caught in a suction
by a face like a truncheon..." as meaning kissing somebody [ugly]

"...I was down upon one knee
stroking her vanity..." is straightforwarldy sexual in its description and

"...as my face returned to red
choking on my pride and pity" means the deed is done but feeling a little bit guilty because of the way the girl has been used.

Elvis always writes such unambiguous lyrics doesn't he

Post by **spooky girlfriend** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:35 am

werdna: first of all, welcome to the board. Hope you'll stick around.

From what I can find on the net, it is a bit unclear, but looks as though you will be seeing Elvis and Steve. Here's what the site for that particular concert hall says:

"Reuniting with original Attractions member Nieve, Costello will be performing songs from North as well as other favorites."

I'm seeing my first Elvis show this month as well. Hope you enjoy it.

so lacklustre · Post by **so lacklustre** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 12:39 pm

"...I was down upon one knee
stroking her vanity..." is straightforwarldy sexual in its description and

I think you're turning into cf vg, surely this line is referring to a proposal.

Jackson Doofster · Post by **Jackson Doofster** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 8:41 pm

I was stuck on her hammerhead
I came alive and left for dead

Is this about dildo Sex???

I am starting to function
in the usual way
everything is so provocative
very, very temporary
I shall walk (i shall walk)
out of this place (out of this place)
I shall walk out on you
'cause you consider if she's really trying so hard
to be like the big boys

so you take her to the pictures
trying to become a fixture
inch by inch trying to reach her
all the way through the second feature
worrying about your physical fitness
tell me how you've got the sickness

I was caught in the suction
by a face like a trunction
I was down upon one knee
stroking her vanity
I was stuck on her hammerhead
I came alive and left for dead
as my face returned to red
choking on my pride and pity

we can talk (we can talk)
until your face is blue (until you face is blue)
we can talk, but she'll get to you
after you've been loved and hated
by the ones who watched and waited
found that they were overrated
she'll be the one (when the party's over)
she'll be the one (when the girls have gone home)
she'll be the one (that you'll wish you'd held on to)
she'll be the one (but it's too late for you too)
she'll be the one (who knows all your history)
she'll be the one (so you can cross her off your list)
and you try so hard
and you try so hard
and you try so hard
to be like the big boys
[/b][/i]

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 4:37 am

so lacklustre wrote:I think you're turning into cf vg, surely this line is referring to a proposal.

Harsh...

bambooneedle · Post by **bambooneedle** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:21 am

...how could EC not be thinking sexual in a line like that!?

Big Boys and Chemistry Class are among my fav Armed Forces songs. In the former, the "she'll be the one" last verse is genius...

wehitandrun · Post by **wehitandrun** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 10:50 am

I've always associated that with a sexual experience I had outside on the cement steps of a school.

Haha, kinda funny how the songs just seem to take on new meanings with different people.

<3,
s.