Tattooed Love Boys

Album: The Pretenders (1980)
Play Video
  • The mid-twenty joys, around a heart that's black and blue
    The 'T' love boys, I tore my knees up getting to you
    Cause I needed to find out what the thing was for

    Been reading, but man the time came to explore

    I went ape wire, cause I thought Like I'd like it.

    little tease, but I didn't mean it
    But you mess with the goods doll, you gotta pay

    A good time was guaranteed for one and all
    The tattoos, did target practice in the hall
    While waiting for their number to get called out
    I, I, I, I found out what the wait was about

    I was a good time, yeah, I got pretty good
    At changing tyres, upstairs bro'
    I shot my mouth off
    And you showed me what that hole was for

    Now I see you all impressed and half undressed
    You got paint stick all over the scars and lumps and bumps
    The 'T' love boys have got you where I used to lay
    Well ha ha and too bad, but you know what they say

    Stop snivellin'
    You're gonna make some plastic surgeon a rich man
    Oh, but the prestige and the glory
    Another human interest story,

    You are that Writer/s: Christine Hynde
    Publisher: Hipgnosis Songs Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Ariesfire from IndianapolisShe didn't say she deserved it and she didn't say she expected it to happen. She said looking back on it how could she not have expected it to happen... huge difference.
  • Scottman from IllinoisChrissie is so badass. She takes full accountability and actually turned a horrifying experience into an awesome song.
  • Realist from OhmtownAt first, I was like, you can't just rationalize for the sake of the rapists. The comment about the patches, tho, and I was like, well, if that's what she was expecting ... . It's not good to encourage true rape, but I'd say we're into the territory of consenting adults here, and those who like it rough. Screw the comment about the patriarchy; as if tolerance of rape had ever officially been part of it. This song is sorta anti-politically correct about the subject. A female version of Cobain's "Rape me!" (although not an always open invitation).
  • To-notsosmartone.. from CaHaha.. she didn't say she deserved it.. she said she knew what was going to happen with this encounter.. like what would you expect when a gang of bikers are wearing I heart rape tattoos?

    I'm sure those dudes took full responsibility for what they did.. just as she did..
  • Smartone from MichiganMaking a woman believe rape is her fault is precisely how patriarchy works. Rape is the fault of the rapist. I'm sad that she bought the patriarchal lie.
  • Big Jilm from DallasWow, that's an incredible history to the song, now I have to go look at all their songs for the origin!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.