U2 – Party Girl

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  General Comment:eirenightshade is close I think and may be right on but I see only two in this love triangle. The party girl is unmistakably one of them. The 2nd and 3rd are the same and the lyricist. I see it as an inter-conflict with himself. He got the partygirl for sex but is tired of bouncing from one sexual encounter to the next. He is trapped between who he is and who he wants to be and who he is still dominates his reality. He is clearly having this battle at the end of the song and is fighting with his own feelings. "I think I know what you want" is spoken to his true self & who he wants to be. "I think I know what he wants" is spoken to the person he has become the three year old who is all about his gratification with no thought or capability of concidering what others may want. That's my two cents anyway. Great song. Certainly all U2. Don't see or hear the Police on this. The U2 drive is clearly there in the bridge. Classic U2 composition.

  Flag Yojackon June 21, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:yes its about being young and uncontrollable: driven by urgent sexual passion and of course ego too.. the bit about being 3 - and the world revolving and stuff: I think that is about bono's view. remeber he is writing about this teenager (and this is an advendure for him) and just as he can look at the teenager, he suddenly realises that the person in the role he is out of control and finds some contrast (for fun) by going back to an age where everyithing is centered around him - the maternal safety, insulation and care that comes with being 3. contrast (almost arbitary) but quite radically artistic. thanks bono...

  Flag nothinlikesomegiton March 20, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:Yeah... Party Girl really sounds like a teenage thing... But I think it talks about the fact that sometimes one of the two partners in a relationship can't make it right [I know he does all that he can] ... But then, I think it's hard to find a sense of this song... Anyway, amazing lyrics and music.

  Flag FoRevEr_SPooNeron January 12, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:WTF kinda crappy lyrics is this...

  Flag Eatcarpeton November 13, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:The blatant teenage sexuality in this song is unmistakable. While Bono rarely writes genuine love songs, he's never been a stranger to writing about sex, and this he's admitted numerous times by saying "U2 writes songs people can have sex to."
  
  I've heard on numerous occasions that this song is about Adam Clayton and his hard-core party lifestyle. In the beginning, Adam was the only member of the band who associated himself with the partying scene, so that seems feasible.
  
  I always think of a teenaged love triangle when I think of "Party Girl". The lyricist, obviously out of his element is at a party, observing a girl and her interaction with a guy Bono describes as a "trampoline" (a clear sexual reference to someone who sleeps around). The lyricist (presumably Bono) is mystified as he likes this girl and she won't really talk to him because she's interested in the "trampoline" guy.
  
  This song is narrated by a guy who wants a chance to be with the party girl, but he knows she wants the guy who's only after her for sex.
  
  Ha, well, I've been the narrator in this song and dance many times throughout my teenage years, and the story is unmistakable to me. It's classic. Being the brainy poetic soul in an environment where everyone else is just after sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Liking someone who likes someone else who is obviously just using them...we've all been there. Tell me that's not exactly what this song reminds you of! ;)
  
  And yes, it does sound very much like a Police song, though I never noticed that until now.

  Flag eirenightshadeon June 20, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:This song is true to early U2 style. I think the lyrics deal with finding an identity as a person, and even as a sexual being.

  Flag The Goal is Soulon February 24, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:Agree with MiracleDrug!!
  Exactly likes Police sound! :D

  Flag zellon September 18, 2005   Link

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  General Comment:great song! i love the mullet era!

  Flag judyleondearayaeson July 11, 2005   Link

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  General Comment:I like this song. Does anybody else think it sounds a bit like a Police song?

  Flag MiracleDrugon April 15, 2005   Link

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  General Comment:I have absolutely no idea............

  Flag e-jayon March 18, 2005   Link

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