Randy Newman

Pretty Boy

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Pretty Boy Lyrics

Have we got a tough guy here?
Have we got a tough guy from the street?
And he looks just like that dancing wop In those movies that we've seen
With his cute little chicken shit boots on
And his cute little chicken shit hat
And his cute little chicken shit girlfriends
Ridin' along in back

What's been happening with you boys? Are you having a nice time on your trip?
All the way from Jersey City
And you look pretty as a picture
Please don't hurt no one tonight Please don't break no woman's heart How 'bout it, you little prick?
How 'bout it?

Hope we're gonna get the chance
To show you 'round
Hope we're gonna get the chance
To show you 'round
Talk tough to me, Pretty Boy
Tell us all about the mean streets of home
Talk tough to me

Submitted by

imperial.bedroom On Dec 16, 2007

Short People

I Think It's Going To Rain Today

Louisiana 1927

Rednecks

Bad News from Home

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imperial.bedroom

Submitter

2007-12-16 07:31:31

1 Meaning

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by imperial.bedroom

18y ago

This song seems to be Newman’s response to the corporate exploitation of street kids in the late seventies, from Saturday Night Fever (Travolta is presumably the “dancing wop”) to punk to the slew of gang films of that time (The Warriors, Boulevard Nights, Walk Proud, etc). The song is told from the perspective of a wealthy businessman (possibly a record executive) who condescends to a tough Jersey punk for the amusement of his rich pals, all set to one of Newman’s most ominous melodies. Overlooked, but one of my favourite songs of his.

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