“Her name is Noelle
I have a dream about her
She rings my bell
I got gym class in half an hour
Oh, how she rocks
In Keds and tube socks
But she doesn’t know who I am
And she doesn’t give a damn about me
‘Cause I’m just a teenage dirtbag baby
Yeah, I’m just a teenage dirtbag baby
Listen to Iron Maiden maybe with me”
This is a song I first heard by Wheatus many years ago one Summer night when I was a kid. It’s a really funny song. I only ever heard it on a few occasions and liked it but did not really pay attention to the lyrics. When I was listening to songs on YouTube recently, it suggested this one and I remembered it all those years ago.
At first it doesn’t seem like a positive song. Teenage dirtbag? Lol
But if you pay close attention to the lyrics, it’s actually inspiring and uplifting. It’s also hilarious! ;-D
The kid singing is in love with a girl he believes doesn’t know he exists and probably wouldn’t care about him if she did.
“She doesn’t give a damn about me.”
She already has a boyfriend and the boy singing thinks he doesn’t stand a chance with a girl like her. He refers to himself as a “dirtbag” and thinks the girl is way out of his league.
But then something amazing happens!
Check it out:
“Man, I feel like mold
It’s prom night and I am lonely
Lo and behold
She’s walking over to me
This must be fake
My lip starts to shake
How does she know who I am?
And why does she give a damn about me
‘I’ve got two tickets to Iron Maiden, baby
Come with me Friday, don’t say ‘maybe’
I’m just a teenage dirtbag, baby, like you'”
It turns out, the girl does know he exists and is interested in him. She doesn’t see herself as much different than him. He is her equal.
“Come with me Friday, don’t say ‘maybe’
I’m just a teenage dirtbag, baby, like you”
I love the message here! Someone who we think doesn’t care for us at all, can care very much! And someone we feel is way better than us for whatever reason, may not feel that way at all. We are all equal in worth even though we all have different skills and flaws and experiences.
It reminds me of two quotes:
“Someone somewhere is looking for exactly what you have to offer.”
&
“Don’t frown, you never know who is falling in love with your smile.”
😀
Also, I think this is a good reminder to pay attention to song lyrics, even ones that seem disturbing or negative or nonsensical at first glance. There may be deep wisdom where we least expect it!
If nothing else, this song may give you a good laugh!
;-D
Hugs & love ❤
Xoxo Kim
