The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Les boys do cabaret
Les boys are glad to be gay
They're not afraid now
Disco bar in Germany
Les boys are glad to be
Upon parade now
Les boys got leather straps
Les boys got ss caps
But they got no gun now
Get dressed up get a little risque
Got to do a little s & m these days
It's all in fun now
Les boys come on again
For the high class whores
And the businessmen
Who drive in their Mercedes Benz
To a disco bar in old munchen
They get the jokes that the d.j. makes
They get nervous and they make mistakes
They're bad for business
Some tourist take a photograph
Les boys don't get one laugh
He says they're useless
Late at night when they're gone away
Les boys dream of jean genet
High heel shoes and a black beret
And the posters on the wall that say
Les boys do cabaret
Les boys are glad to be gay
Les boys are glad to be gay
They're not afraid now
Disco bar in Germany
Les boys are glad to be
Upon parade now
Les boys got leather straps
Les boys got ss caps
But they got no gun now
Get dressed up get a little risque
Got to do a little s & m these days
It's all in fun now
Les boys come on again
For the high class whores
And the businessmen
Who drive in their Mercedes Benz
To a disco bar in old munchen
They get the jokes that the d.j. makes
They get nervous and they make mistakes
They're bad for business
Some tourist take a photograph
Les boys don't get one laugh
He says they're useless
Late at night when they're gone away
Les boys dream of jean genet
High heel shoes and a black beret
And the posters on the wall that say
Les boys do cabaret
Les boys are glad to be gay
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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If you are offended by this you need to get a life......It is lighthearted commentary on the German club scene. The "Gay" is meant not in the homosexual way.....more in the literal happy way. They are playing a part he finds amusing in this world of crazy relationships, nothing more. The whole album is about relationships between people.
Remove the big chip from your shoulder guymontag
No chip here, but the song is most likely about the gay lifestyle of yesteryear. You must know who Jean Genet is and his relation to this song; he (a famous novelist) was discharged from the military after having been caught having sex with a man. For me the song is about allowing gay men to be who they are...to express themselves freely, much the way Jean Genet (a novelist) expressed himself through words in his novels. The tourist in the lyrics wants to enjoy the men (he takes photos), yet he laughs at them. During the time of caberet, I'm quite sure fear and hatred of gays was quite substantial. Dreaming of Jean allows the men to escape the pitfalls of being gay...there's a comradery (Can't spell the word:) for someone understands them.
But I don't think he is being vicious. Cabaret theater is very different whether it is gay or not. The acts mingle with the guests who are eating and drinking.<br /> <br /> Oh it is definitely about the gay scene in Germany. Like you said they are proud to be homosexual and no longer hide it, but I think Knopfler is trying to say at any depth is that they have relegated themselves to an act, which may be less honorable than Jean Genet who led let's say an interesting life. They are letting themselves be treated like objects or objectified. Maybe not what they should be looking for?<br /> <br /> But Knopfler does this with precision in the fact that he recognizes what they want but they are going about it backwards. But I think he is getting a kick out of it at the same time, let's say the debauchery or hedonism of it.<br /> <br /> Peace