This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Wooh, wooh, ha
Junior paints that old cafe
He's gotta chase those girls around
Westbound drunk with lots to say
But he never makes a sound
Hustlers get what they deserve
But it's always half the game
Good things come to those who wait
Like an expiration date
See you around, I'll see you around
I'll play all night, hey don't get uptight
I'll lead all your mind games astray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around
I'll play all night, hey don't get uptight
See you, so long, goodbye, hooray, oh oh
Curb your tongue oh scallywag,
Because you got no flag to wave
Save your breath for the black and white
Every dog will have its day
See you around, I'll see you around
I'll play all night, hey don't get uptight
I'll lead all your mind games astray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around,
Well, I'll play all night, hey get on top
See you, so long, goodbye, hooray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around
Aw yeah
Aw yeah
Aw yeah
I'll see you around, I'll see you around
I'll play all night, hey don't get uptight
I'll lead all your mind games astray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around
I'll play all night, hey don't get uptight
See you, so long, goodbye, hooray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around
I'll see you around, I'll see you around
I'll see you around
Goodbye and hooray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around
Oh no no no no
Junior paints that old cafe
He's gotta chase those girls around
Westbound drunk with lots to say
But he never makes a sound
Hustlers get what they deserve
But it's always half the game
Good things come to those who wait
Like an expiration date
See you around, I'll see you around
I'll play all night, hey don't get uptight
I'll lead all your mind games astray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around
I'll play all night, hey don't get uptight
See you, so long, goodbye, hooray, oh oh
Curb your tongue oh scallywag,
Because you got no flag to wave
Save your breath for the black and white
Every dog will have its day
See you around, I'll see you around
I'll play all night, hey don't get uptight
I'll lead all your mind games astray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around,
Well, I'll play all night, hey get on top
See you, so long, goodbye, hooray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around
Aw yeah
Aw yeah
Aw yeah
I'll see you around, I'll see you around
I'll play all night, hey don't get uptight
I'll lead all your mind games astray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around
I'll play all night, hey don't get uptight
See you, so long, goodbye, hooray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around
I'll see you around, I'll see you around
I'll see you around
Goodbye and hooray
Well, I'll see you around, I'll see you around
Oh no no no no
Lyrics submitted by aristuma21, edited by Kalico37
Goodbye Hooray Lyrics as written by Anthony Kiedis Michael Balzary
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think the moral of the story is that "Nice guys finish last," and the chorus is being spoken from the "nice guy's" point of view.
I love that they included a heavier song in the mix! They don't disappoint! :)
In the lyric booklet it says "Junior pimp at the old café"
And in the chorus it's "Can't get uptight"
I definitely agree with D7K, but I would add that it's the nice guy making fun of the "bad boys" trying too hard to be bad boys. The nice guy knows in the end he'll be on top.
My other theory is that it's a guy whose girl left him, and now he's showing her that he really doesn't need her.
I've missed Flea's bass solo's. Not quite Coffee Shop standards, but still damn good (and weirdly similar in sound listening again - similar phaser?)
I agree with you guys about this guys who try too hard to be mean to a girl.
However, I don't think it's about nice guys finishing last. I think it's mostly calling out the guys who try too hard being an ass trying to "change those girls around", only to pay for "half the date". Instead, Kiedis suggests playing it cool, biding your time and letting the girl come to hi. This is total reverse psychology as girls want what they can't have, and this messes with their heads. It leads their "mind games astray".
Those who've read Scar Tissue know that Anthony is definitely not a "nice guy"
I think this song is about trying to forget a girl. The moment you realize you're better off without that girl by your side...
I take these lyrics pretty literally. He's watching a pimp who always disgusted him finally get arrested.
Junior pimp at the old café Got to chase those girls around Westbound, drunk with lots to say But he never makes a sound
Our subject is just that- a pimp, and like most pimps, a noisy loudmouth. From Shakespeare- a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing.
Hustlers get what they deserve But it’s always half the gate Good things come to those who wait Like an expiration date
Referring again to the subject as a hustler; another word for pimp. He's getting what he deserves but it's only half the gate". Half the gate is a venue term for money made at the gate/door usually paid to the act or promoter. Our pimp is getting bad karma he deserves, but probably deserves even worse. Expiration date- his time has expired.
The chorus is celebrating the pimp's removal, and stating a plan to talk the pimp's girls out of his control from mind games in his absence.
Curb your tongue oh scallywag Because you’ve got no flag to wave Save your breath for the black and white Every dog will have his day
Here he's telling the pimp to shut up because he doesn't stand for anything. Save your speech for the black and white- term for a police car. Every dog will have his day/ everyone gets their day in court