The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for A White Guy)

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You know it's kind of hard
Just to get along today
Our subject isn't cool
But he fakes it anyway
He may not have a clue
And he may not have style
But everything he lacks
Well he makes up in denial

So don't debate, a player straight
You know he really doesn't get it anyway
He's gonna play the field, and keep it real
For you no way, for you no way
So if you don't rate, just overcompensate
At least you'll know you can always go on Ricki Lake
The world needs wannabe's
So do that brand new thing

He needs some cool tunes
Not just any will suffice
But they didn't have Ice Cube
So he bought Vanilla Ice
Now cruising in his Pinto, he sees homies as he pass
But if he looks twice
They're gonna kick his lily ass

Now he's getting a tattoo
He's gettin' ink done
He asked for a '13', but they drew a '31'
Friends say he's trying too hard
And he's not quite hip
But in his own mind
He's the dopest trip

So don't debate, a player straight
You know he really doesn't get it anyway
He's gonna play the field, and keep it real
For you no way, for you no way
So if you don't rate, just overcompensate
At least you'll know you can always go on Ricki Lake
The world needs wannabe's
The world loves wannabe's
So let's get some more wannabe's
And do that brand new thing

Send "Pretty Fly (for A White Guy)" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by spitfirek7

Track duration: 03:08


Pretty Fly (for A White Guy) song meanings
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69 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I realize I'm about 12 years late, but did anyone else notice that Pretty Fly is slightly modified Come Out and Play from Offspring Smash...the lyrics are completely different, and the chord progression is slightly changed. But the song structure and the guitar riffs are the exact same.
    Flag medcob12on December 23, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:the song starts off w\ u gotta keep em seperated
    Flag torpedoon August 26, 2010   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:It's about some "fly" white dude that goes around, thinking he's the shit, when really, he's a poser and a phony, and no one likes him. I feel this way towards a load of people. These guys have songs that you can apply to people in your everyday life.

    This isn't my favorite Offspring song (they're all awesome, so I don't HAVE any favorites), but it's so catchy and addicting!
    Flag NoPrideon June 22, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I always thought the 13 tattoo was referencing MS-13. The tattoo of a 13 is a way for him to make it look like he's related to gangs in some way and make him 'gangster', but by getting a 31 it just makes him look even more stupid since it has no real meaning.
    Flag comforteagleon April 17, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:In my opinion, this song is showing how racism has been turned completely around since the times of the Civil Rights Movement. Back in the late 1800s-early 1900s, African-Americans were considered inferior because of their dark skin color. Now, African-Americans are "the shiz," while whites are chastised for being different. A white person trying to fit in with African-American culture, unless they can do it well, is booed for being a wannabe. Pretty Fly is exactly about that. It's showing how idiotic and hilarious someone can be if they try to be somebody they're not, so just be your own person.

    To answer erikkatrissy's question, the line "He asked for a 13 but they drew a 31" is talking about getting a tattoo, and the artist messing up the request. A tattoo of a "13" could be considered "cool," due to the fact that 13 is superstitiously an unlucky number. The number "31" has no such background, and would seem "lame." Just more chastisement of the poor white guy who's a victim of society.
    Flagged Megoon January 31, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment: I think this songs message can best be summarized by the witty 1-liner: "You think you're so cool but you're nothing but a fool".The Offspring totally stick it to all those white gangsta wannabe ass clowns trying hard to be something they're not because they think it makes them look cool and authentic.
    Flag Sozlukon July 25, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Yeah its about this white dude who thinks he's the best rapper eva and he doesn't know noone likes him.
    Flag greendayboy1on February 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:LMAO XD there is so many poser ganstas at my school and this song is perfect for them!

    lol Thak u Offspring for making this song to brighten my day love ya'll!

    but yeah it's not hard to figure out the meaning to this song.
    Flag Nadeline*maeon December 11, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is simply about a wannabee gangster. He thinks he is cool, but everyone else thinks he is an idiot. I have encountered several wannabees in my life and I always wonder why people think they need to be like that.
    Flag JTHMBirdGuy777on November 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think the "13...31" means that the subject of the song wanted a tattoo of the number "13",because most "gangstas" think thier life is hard, so he thinks his life is hard, and 13 is supposed to be an unlucky number, so maybe by tattooing an unlucky number he thinks it'll be like a double negative and cancel the bad luck out, but ends up having even worse luck than to begin with, because he has a meaningless number tattooed on him.

    that description took out the funny in that lyric.
    Flag lepercolonychefon August 16, 2008   Link

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