Music Review: The Waitresses "I Know What Boys Like"
The Waitresses
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I Know What Boys Like
Album: Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?
Year: 1982
Patty Donahue is aware of sexuality and its effect on men in the saucy "I Know What Boys Like."
Riotous guitars open the single, setting a coltish tone. Donahue says in the first verse that she has observed men checking out women with firm breasts and slender legs. She boasts she is one of those women. Men stare at her while she passes by them. She adds that she puts out her chest a bit and gives them a vacaous look. When they reach to touch her leg, she briskly walks away.
In the chorus, she is proud that she can get men's attention with her looks.
In the first bridge, she singles out a guy who was eyeing her. She says he could have the chance to sleep with her. He's not the like others. He's sophiscated and smart. She purrs that she is sexually attracted to him and would want to sleep with him. It's a possibility that he could happen.
In the second verse, she asserts that all men think about sex. She's heard men whisper about her beauty. She moves in a calculated, carnal way. However, when she does not go up to talk to the men, they get mad. She leaves a couple buttons open on her blouse. It shows just enough to make men want to see more. Men will clamor and beg for her to show some more skin. However, she refuses. When the men put on the sad little puppy eyes, she guffaws.
The chorus is sung again.
Over a swinging saxophone solo, Donahue gloats that she got them ticked off and they can't do anything about it.
In the second bridge, she mock apologizes to the guy. She says that she's being sincere. He can touch her anywhere he chooses. He can take her word for it. Then, once he reaches for her breasts, she slaps his hands. She calls him a horny fool.
The chorus is sung again.
Donahue "nya, nya's" for 15 seconds and ends the single.
For Donahue, she finds that her sexuality can be powerful. With some cleavage and a short skirt, she can convince a man to do anything for her. However, she seems confused by it at the same time. Although she appears to be ready for sex, she's actually quite scared of it. She backs away and mocks men for having sexual feelings for her. Sex itself doesn't figure into her mind at all. It's simply a ploy but it's not anything real.
Donahue's deadpan vocals reveal subtle things about the song. First, the insecurity she hides behind her boasting. She values herself for her looks and nothing more. It's likely she doesn't believe she is intelligent and her body is that all the has going for her. The other quality is her immaturity. Although she tries to act sophisticated and above naughty thoughts, she's really not as smart as she thinks she is.
"I Know What Boys Like" simplicity simply adds to its intelligence.
Album: Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?
Year: 1982
Patty Donahue is aware of sexuality and its effect on men in the saucy "I Know What Boys Like."
Riotous guitars open the single, setting a coltish tone. Donahue says in the first verse that she has observed men checking out women with firm breasts and slender legs. She boasts she is one of those women. Men stare at her while she passes by them. She adds that she puts out her chest a bit and gives them a vacaous look. When they reach to touch her leg, she briskly walks away.
"I know what boys like/I know what guys want/I know what boys like/I've got what boys like/I know what boys like
I know what guys want/I see them looking/I make them want me/I like to tease them/They want to touch me/
I never let them."
In the chorus, she is proud that she can get men's attention with her looks.
"I know what boys like/I know what guys want/I know what boys like, boys like, boys like me."
In the first bridge, she singles out a guy who was eyeing her. She says he could have the chance to sleep with her. He's not the like others. He's sophiscated and smart. She purrs that she is sexually attracted to him and would want to sleep with him. It's a possibility that he could happen.
"But you, you're special/I might let you/You're so much different/I might let you/Mmmmm would you like that/I might let you."
In the second verse, she asserts that all men think about sex. She's heard men whisper about her beauty. She moves in a calculated, carnal way. However, when she does not go up to talk to the men, they get mad. She leaves a couple buttons open on her blouse. It shows just enough to make men want to see more. Men will clamor and beg for her to show some more skin. However, she refuses. When the men put on the sad little puppy eyes, she guffaws.
"I know what boys like/I know what guys want/
I know what boys like/I know what's on their minds/I know what what boys like/I know what guys want
They talk about me/I got my cat moves/That so upset them/Zippers and buttons/Fun to frustrate them/
They get so angry/Like pouty children/Denied their candy/I laugh right at them."
The chorus is sung again.
Over a swinging saxophone solo, Donahue gloats that she got them ticked off and they can't do anything about it.
"Nya, nya, nya..."
In the second bridge, she mock apologizes to the guy. She says that she's being sincere. He can touch her anywhere he chooses. He can take her word for it. Then, once he reaches for her breasts, she slaps his hands. She calls him a horny fool.
"I feel sad now/I will let you/Sorry I teased you/
I will let you/This time I mean it/I wil1 let you/Anything you want/You can trust me/I really want to/
You can trust me/How would you like it/You can trust me/Sucker (laughs)."
The chorus is sung again.
Donahue "nya, nya's" for 15 seconds and ends the single.
For Donahue, she finds that her sexuality can be powerful. With some cleavage and a short skirt, she can convince a man to do anything for her. However, she seems confused by it at the same time. Although she appears to be ready for sex, she's actually quite scared of it. She backs away and mocks men for having sexual feelings for her. Sex itself doesn't figure into her mind at all. It's simply a ploy but it's not anything real.
Donahue's deadpan vocals reveal subtle things about the song. First, the insecurity she hides behind her boasting. She values herself for her looks and nothing more. It's likely she doesn't believe she is intelligent and her body is that all the has going for her. The other quality is her immaturity. Although she tries to act sophisticated and above naughty thoughts, she's really not as smart as she thinks she is.
"I Know What Boys Like" simplicity simply adds to its intelligence.