Rough Boys
Pete Townshend
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Tough boys Running the streets Come a little closer Rough toys Under the sheets Nobody knows her Rough boys Don't walk away I very nearly missed you Tough boys Come over here I wanna bite and kiss you I wanna see what I can find Tough kids Take a bottle of wine When your deal is broken Ten quid She's so easy to find Not a word is spoken Rough boys Don't walk away I'm still pretty blissed here Tough boy I'm gonna carry you home You got pretty pissed dear Gonna get inside you Gonna get inside your bitter mind Rough boys Don't walk away I wanna buy you leather Make noise Try and talk me away We can't be seen together Tough kids What can I do? I'm so pale and weedy Rough fits In my Hush Puppy shoes But I'm still pleadin' Tough boys Running the streets Come a little closer Rough toys Under the sheets Nobody knows her Rough boys Don't walk away I very nearly missed you Tough boys Come over here I wanna bite and kiss you I wanna see what I can find!
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.jpg/228px-Pete_Townshend_(2012).jpg "Pete Townshend")
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Written by: PETER DENNIS BLANDFOR TOWNSHEND
Lyrics © SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Background"Rough Boys" is a song written and performed by Pete Townshend, the lead guitarist for The Who. The song was released as a single in 1980 and is featured on his third solo album, "Empty Glass."
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Inspiration Behind the LyricsThe song is said to be a tribute to the Sex Pistols and punk rock movement, which were emerging and influential at the time of its creation.
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Orientation Speculations"Rough Boys" stirred some controversy regarding Townshend's sexual orientation due to the sexual undertones present in the lyrics. The singer later confirmed that the song was written with a homosexual subtext, which was daring considering the prevailing societal attitudes of the time.
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Music VideoThe music video for "Rough Boys" shot in New York City featured Townshend along with many others in a party, dancing and interacting. This too, had some homoerotic undertones and contributed to the speculations surrounding the song.
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Chart PerformanceDespite the controversy, or perhaps, in part, because of it, "Rough Boys" performed well on the charts. It reached #89 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
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PerformancesTownshend rarely performs the song live. However, during the few times he did, it was received positively by the audiences.
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Song InterpretationAccording to Townshend, the song was about being tough on the outside, but gentle on the inside. This duality is represented well in the music and lyrics of "Rough Boys."
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Cover VersionsSeveral artists have covered "Rough Boys," including David Bowie, who performed the song in rehearsal for his "Serious Moonlight" tour.
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Album Review"Empty Glass," the album featuring "Rough Boys," is often considered Townshend's best solo work. It was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male in 1981.
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Personal SignificanceTownshend once mentioned in an interview with Rolling Stone that "Rough Boys" is amongst his most favorite songs he wrote, as it was more about breaking the conventions and expressing his thoughts freely.
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Citation
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"Rough Boys Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/990653/Pete+Townshend/Rough+Boys>.
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