Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
There's a place I go
And I am far away
There's a TV show
And I can grow
Sometimes the hero takes me
Sometimes I don't let go
Hello hello
There's a picture book
With colored photographs
There's a comic strip
That makes me laugh
Sometimes the lady takes me
Sometimes I don't let go
Hello hello
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
(Stories for boys)
There's a place I go
And it's a part of me
There's a radio
And I will crawl
Sometimes the hero takes me
Sometimes I can't let go
Hello hello
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
(Stories for boys)
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
And I am far away
There's a TV show
And I can grow
Sometimes the hero takes me
Sometimes I don't let go
Hello hello
There's a picture book
With colored photographs
There's a comic strip
That makes me laugh
Sometimes the lady takes me
Sometimes I don't let go
Hello hello
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
(Stories for boys)
There's a place I go
And it's a part of me
There's a radio
And I will crawl
Sometimes the hero takes me
Sometimes I can't let go
Hello hello
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
(Stories for boys)
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira
Stories for Boys Lyrics as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
boys always looking for heroes and role models hey..
Apparently this was one of U2's earliest songs and had written it long before Boy came around. Bono mentioned that there is a part in this, not sure if he meant lyrics or in the melody that is extremely similar to Vertigo. I've been listening to it lately to try to pick up on what he was on about but alas...to no avail....
However, the first line "There's a place I go and I am far away" to me is wierdly similar to one of the songs on the Beatles first album called "there's a place"
"there's a place...where I can go..when i feel low...when i feel blue....etc"
Every time I hear stories for boys I think of that. Sorry if I'm boring you to death, just what i think..!
MiracleDrug- Could it have been the "Hello Hello"? =P
i read somewhere that their manager at the time was convinced that this song was about masturbation..i guess it kinda makes sense.
@Bono_is_God Now that it's 2022, Bono's memoir book has been released (and I attended the tour's opener in NYC). I was always a fan but now I am re listening to all the songs because I was blown away by the show and its content... The answer is in the book so the manager is correct.
now that u brought up the masturbation thing i cant stop thinking about it...it really fits...but i personally think it has more to do with escaping reality and just getting away by getting lost in books, songs...anything to just get away from whatever is bothering you
Haha, it's funny. The masturbation thing seems too plausible to me now. Who'da thunk it?!
I read somewhere a long time ago that Bono had said this song was about his love of comic books as a young child/teenager and how he often read comics and novels and used TV to sort of escape reality. It certainly fits if you think about all the references U2 songs have made to books and film in their songs...Dorian Gray, Lord of the Flies, etc.
I don't know if that interpretation is true, but it seems pretty fitting.
MiracleDrug, Tea-For-On: On the VERTIGO 2005//U2 LIVE FROM CHICAGO dvd, recorded on 9th and 10th May 2005, Bono actually wanders off into the lyrics of Stories For Boys during the song Vertigo. It's a great moment and indeed, "hello hello" seals the deal.
Oh, for crying in Manhattan! This is a song about boys and their fantasy heroes, not about wrestling with the one-eyed superhero. It's about boys being young and innocent enough to find escape in books, TV, comics and stories. That's all it's about is boyhood innocence and nothing else
@CuteSparkina go buy Bono's memoir book and read it :-)<br />
@CuteSparkina go buy Bono's memoir book and read it :-)<br /> <br /> the answer is there
@CuteSparkina go buy Bono's memoir book and read it :-)<br /> <br /> the answer is there
@CuteSparkina go buy Bono's memoir book and read it :-)<br /> <br /> the answer is there
Amen, cutesparkina.