The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Your boyfriend, he
Went down on one knee
Well, could it be
He's only got one knee?
I tried to surprise you
With Vodka
Or Tizer
I can't quite quite remember
But you didn't thank me
You didn't even thank me
Because you never do
Your boyfriend, he
Has the gift of the gab
Or, could it be
The gift of the grab?
I tried to surprise you
I lay down beside you
And...nothing much happened
And you didn't phone me
You didn't even phone me
Because it's not your style
To dial
Your boyfriend, he
Has displayed to me
More than just a
Real hint of cruelty
I tried to surprise you
I crept up behind you
With a homeless chihuahua
You "coo"-ed for an hour
You handed him back and said :
"You'll never guess - I'm bored now"
Went down on one knee
Well, could it be
He's only got one knee?
I tried to surprise you
With Vodka
Or Tizer
I can't quite quite remember
But you didn't thank me
You didn't even thank me
Because you never do
Your boyfriend, he
Has the gift of the gab
Or, could it be
The gift of the grab?
I tried to surprise you
I lay down beside you
And...nothing much happened
And you didn't phone me
You didn't even phone me
Because it's not your style
To dial
Your boyfriend, he
Has displayed to me
More than just a
Real hint of cruelty
I tried to surprise you
I crept up behind you
With a homeless chihuahua
You "coo"-ed for an hour
You handed him back and said :
"You'll never guess - I'm bored now"
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
King Leer Lyrics as written by Mark Edward Cascian Nevin Steven Morrissey
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I totally disagree with what some folks think this song's about a nice guy trying to win over some bitchy ice queen who chooses to ignore his gestures. At least that's how their posts make it seem)!
"King Leer" is the narrator himself. The song's all about how much of a jerk he is, and how completely clueless he is to the fact.
If you read the lyrics, everything he says and does is self-serving critical of everyone but himself. He's a delusional egomaniac.
First, he tries to buy her with cheap liquor (or Tizer. He didn't even put enough thought into the gesture to remember, but still expects a "Thank you").
He insults her boyfriend (whom she's already in a relationship with, obviously), essentially calling him a pervert ("or could it be the gift of the grab?"), then he himself tries to get frisky with her and she ignores his advances and does not call (why would she, after all?). He takes this personally.
Finally, he tries to get her attention with a scruffy chihuahua. She thinks it's cute, but she's figured out Leer's game, and she understands every halfhearted gesture comes with ulterior motives, so she tries to seem uninterested to get rid of him, leaving him stuck holding the dog.
And he still thinks he's being treated unfairly, of course!
Tod Hackett, the protagonist from Nathanael West's "The Day of the Locust", comes to mind when hearing this song about a man who's very self-serving, self-aggrandizing, and completely oblivious to the fact.
Great song, too... I know NOTHING about music theory, but I love the piano line. The way it goes from upbeat to almost melancholy. I couldn't explain it in musical terms, though...
Are you kidding? She's clearly the cunt.
@raytownian I completely agree with you. While you can easily look at the song in both ways, I much prefer your explanation and always saw the song that way as well.