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The Boys of Summer (Don Henley cover) song meanings
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  • +8
    General Comment

    This song is about youth and a young love. At first, I really didn't think so, primarily you can see its about wanting someone back but it has a deeper meaning than that. "The boys of summer" is a metephor for his past. Summer is his past. The best times he had were with the boys of summer. His friends etc. "I can tell you my love for you will still be strong after the boys of summer has gone" means he'll still love her after all his best years have gone "Nobody on the road, nobody on the beach ... the summer's out of reach..." etc. refers to how the past is over. "I'm driving by your house though I know you're not home" to his love being gone too. "Out on the road today, I saw a black flag sticker on a cadillac" is a metephor for how things have changed too. A Black Flag sticker (or Dead Head as it was originally) used to be a sign of rebelling and there it is on a nice car that a lot of people want; exactly what the flag was rebelling against. It's ironic. It's not longer a sign of rebelling. It's now become part of the consumer world. Ultimately, he doesn't want to look back to his love because that means looking back onto his past too. It's too late to look back kind of. But he can still see her. He still loves her

    Jenezzyon February 17, 2006   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning

    "Black Flag sticker on a Cadillac" - I know why they changed it.

    Black Flag was a famous punk band in the 80's, they're still well known today and no doubt judging by the age of the band members, they listened to Black Flag when they were in their teens.

    The Ataris have taken this song and made it about their past instead of Don Henley's. It's a really interesting transition, I can see this song being covered for generations.

    Amazing song, I love driving to it.

    GodzillaDannyon April 17, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i think this is a great cover..and im horribly harsh on covers haha. but its just..amazing. the ataris are amazing :D

    orgasmicon March 13, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Great song... It's a Don Henley Cover...

    -Stix-

    ADimeADexteron March 12, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    incredible cover. i've been listening to it all day.

    oofuson March 14, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I didn't know it was a cover till now, but its frickin awsome, very well done. I think if you never knew, you can't tell its a cover, they do it perfectly. Ataris rock! SDHFR!!

    djdanon March 16, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Wow. This is a great cover! The Ataris completely rock this song... The Ataris are awesome!

    xinxwinterxon March 16, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Perfect song for them.. better than the original song! THE ATARIS ROCK!

    AtarisTimPagnottaon March 17, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song. Just wanted to say how awesome it is that "Deadhead" got replaced with "Black Flag". Look who's driving the Cadillacs now...

    Invader_Zymon March 19, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I absolutely love this song!! Best cover song i've ever heard!! Rock on!!

    jamesfisher21on March 19, 2003   Link

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