In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Hey baby, if you're falling down, I know what's good for you all day
Are you worried what your friends see
And will it ruin your reputation loving me?
'Cause I'm a dirty white boy, yeah a dirty white boy, a dirty white boy
Don't drive no big black car, don't like no Hollywood movie stars
You want me to be true to you, you don't give a damn what I do to you
I'm just a dirty white boy (dirty white boy) dirty white boy (dirty white boy)
Dirty white boy, dirty white boy
Well I'm a dirty white boy, (dirty white boy), dirty white boy, yeah dirty white boy
A dirty white boy
I've been in trouble since I don't know when
I'm in trouble now and I know somehow I'll find trouble again
I'm a loner but I'm never alone
Every night I get one step closer to the danger zone
'Cause I'm a dirty white boy, (dirty white boy) yeah dirty white boy (dirty white boy)
I'm a dirty white boy, dirty white boy
Come on come on boy, (dirty white boy) white boy (dirty white boy)
I'm a dirty white boy, dirty white boy
Hey I'm a dirty white boy (dirty white boy) yeah I'm a dirty white boy
(Dirty white boy) dirty white boy yeah
Are you worried what your friends see
And will it ruin your reputation loving me?
'Cause I'm a dirty white boy, yeah a dirty white boy, a dirty white boy
Don't drive no big black car, don't like no Hollywood movie stars
You want me to be true to you, you don't give a damn what I do to you
I'm just a dirty white boy (dirty white boy) dirty white boy (dirty white boy)
Dirty white boy, dirty white boy
Well I'm a dirty white boy, (dirty white boy), dirty white boy, yeah dirty white boy
A dirty white boy
I've been in trouble since I don't know when
I'm in trouble now and I know somehow I'll find trouble again
I'm a loner but I'm never alone
Every night I get one step closer to the danger zone
'Cause I'm a dirty white boy, (dirty white boy) yeah dirty white boy (dirty white boy)
I'm a dirty white boy, dirty white boy
Come on come on boy, (dirty white boy) white boy (dirty white boy)
I'm a dirty white boy, dirty white boy
Hey I'm a dirty white boy (dirty white boy) yeah I'm a dirty white boy
(Dirty white boy) dirty white boy yeah
Lyrics submitted by almostmanda
Dirty White Boy Lyrics as written by Mick Jones Lou Gramm
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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He worries that his girl will stop loving him and what her friends will think. He is not a high class rich guy. He is just "A dirty white boy". He always seems to get into trouble wherever he goes. Pretty self explanatory.
I think "dirty" refers to the guy being sexually insatiable but she doesn't care how "naughty' he is in bed as long as he loves her only.
"You want me to be true to you You don’t give a damn what I do to you"
I think the reference about her reputation and friends is maybe she's inexperienced sexually and it's the whole "good girls don't" thing.
Back in '79 when Foreigner released the Head Games album, the reviewer in the late, great Trouser Press mag said something to this effect about Dirty White Boy: "Ludicrous, but steaming...someday you'll hear this on an oldies station, and it won't sound bad at all." Exactly!
Amen to that last comment.I still have a hard time with hearing Nirvana and Alice In Chains on the classic rock stations.I'm only 32 but it still messes with your head that bands you listened to in high school when they were new are now considered classic rock.This is definitely one of my favorite Foreigner songs.Why?Because it's the story of my life.Especially since i've discovered black women.Lol.
One word. Hypergamy.
Just watched Foreigner do a show on AXS TV and he said the song Dirty White Boy was in honor or Elvis Presley. I listened closely to the lyrics but I am having a hard time figuring out the connection.