When everything is going wrong
And you can't see the point in going on
Well nothing in life is set in stone
There's nothing that can't be turned around
Nobody wants to feel alone
And everybody wants to love someone
Out of the tree go pick a plum
Why can't we all just get along?
Boys in the girls room
Girls in the men's room
You free your mind in your androgyny
Boys in the parlor
They're getting harder
I'll free your mind and your androgyny
No sweeter a taste that you could find
Than fruit hanging ripe upon the vine
There's never been an oyster so divine
A river deep that never runs dry
The birds and bees they hum along
Like treasures they twinkle in the sun
Get on board and have some fun
Take what you need to turn you on
Behind closed doors and under stars
It doesn't matter where you are
Collecting jewels that catch your eye
Don't let a soulmate pass you by
All of you have great ideas, but you are all focusing on sexual "preference." I think this somgs talks about sexual identity as well as sexual preference. I think that there is a message in this songs to those who are gender dyshporic, "transsexuality." "Boys in the girls room, Girls in the men's room, You free your mind in your androgyny," I think refering to those unfortunate souls born in one body but having the sexual identity of the opposite. FTM's are generally more succesful with transition, and therefore overlooked, but MTF's are ridiculed, subjected to hate and violence and it's sad. She's trying say why do we have to judge, "Oh, she used to be a man," who cares, because she has always seen herself as a woman, just born into the wrong body. Just my view, and one I can identify with. ^_^
I agree with Renholder and a little with everyone else.
With the whole "boys in the girls' room, girls in the men's room" bit, I immediately thought it had to do with transsexuality. Maybe about seeing a TG person in a public restroom and being unsure of their gender and whether they belong there or not. Public restrooms are a pretty awkward place, since you don't want to go in one and it's illegal to go in the other. I've been stopped more than once on my way in by people saying "Hey, that's the women's room!" and I have to just sigh and say, "I know." And I'm sure that most of the women in there must be thinking "...What's a boy doing in here? Is he lost? ...Is that a girl?"
I also think the song is making a statement about disregarding gender. Like "Who cares if it's a boy in the girls' room or a girl in the men's room? It doesn't matter. Be androgynous and look past all of that." I think it's talking about not making any decisions about a person because of their gender, because that isn't who they are. Maybe you're a straight guy or a straight girl (or at least you see yourself that way), but you never know when that one different guy or girl could come along and change everything for you.
In short, I think it's saying to just forget about gender. Gender isn't who a person is, so that shouldn't affect how you see them or stop you from loving them.
"There's nothing that can't be turned around" (line 4) One of Plato's characters, Aristophanes, in "The Symposium" explains how androgyny relates to love which is what this song is about. In the beginning everyone had two sets of all body parts, Zeus chopped humans in half because he was angry with us, then he came back and moved our genitals around so we could have sex while we embraced (he pitied us because we were dying of hunger and inactivity from not wanting to release our embrace on our other half).
"Nobody wants to feel alone And everybody wants to love someone" (lines 5-6) After we were cut in half we went looking for our other half because we originally had that someone to make us whole.
"You free your mind in your androgyny" (line 11) Aristophanes applauds male-male relationships between men and boys since such couples value boldness, braveness, and masculinity both in themselves and in others.
"They're getting harder" (line 13) The reason for Pederasty (a usually erotic relationship between an older man and an adolescent boy) was to educate, protect, and provide a role model for the younger boy, so "they're getting harder" is like the young boys learning to grow a thicker skin and not be as easily hurt by the world.
"Don't let a soulmate pass you by" (line 26) This one is easy, it refers to the androgynous person always searching for their other half (their soulmate).
Plato. (c. 427-347 BC). The Symposium. Athens, Greece: Penguin Classics.
Yeah, Garbage is the bomb. I love all of their songs.This one is one of my favs. Go Shirley!
It's cool how the sex references are so traditional but the message is very much of our time. I'm don't only think that it's about sexuality though, it's about the way you see yourself and other people. How you identify yourself in terms of gender, not just sexuality.
I can't believe no one has commented this song! Anyway, I really love this song because it has a good message. "Behind closed doors" and "Don't let a soulmate pass you by" are my favortie lines because I think they're about someone being afraid to come out with their sexual preference. I can relate to this song and I really love it.
I always just thought it was someone admitting to themself they are bisexual, wich is quite close to you're interpretation, but this is an amazing song.
Yes, that's basiclly what I meant. lol
I think it's about looking past any labels and finding love wherever you can.
The first time I saw the video to this song, I really connected with it. Since then I've realised that I'm bisexual so it means alot to me. Now I look like someone out of the video, which is a bit scary. And shirley manson is gorgeous if you don't mind me saying. ^_^ I think the song is about androgyny (really??) but that's all I know.