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Barenaked Ladies — What A Good Boy (Live)
Album: Disc One
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 652









Released: 2001
Length: 4:46
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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When I was born, they looked at me and said,
"What a good boy, what a smart boy, what a strong boy."
And when you were born, they looked at you and said,
"What a good girl, what a smart girl, what a pretty girl."

We've got these chains hanging around our necks
People wanna strangle us with them before we take our first breath
Afraid of change, afraid of staying the same
When temptation calls, we just look away

This name is the hairshirt I wear
And this hairshirt is woven from your brown hair
This song is the cross that I bear
Bear with me, bear with me, bear with me
Be with me tonight
I know that it isn't right...
But be with me tonight

I go to school, I write exams
If I pass, if I fail, if I drop out does anyone give a damn?
And if they do, they'll soon forget
'Cause it won't take much from me to show my life ain't over yet

I wake up scared, I wake up strange
I wake up wondering if anything in my life is ever gonna change
I wake up scared, I wake up strange
And everything around me stays the same

It's the hairshirt I wear
And this hairshirt is woven from, it's woven from, your brown hair
This song is the cross that I bear
Bear with me, bear with me, bear with me
Be with me tonight
I know that it isn't right...
But be with me tonight

I couldn't tell you that I was wrong
Chickened out, grabbed a pen and a paper, sat down and I wrote this song
I couldn't tell you that you were right
So instead I looked in the mirror, I watched TV, laid awake all night

We've got these chains hanging around our necks
People wanna strangle us with them before we take our first breath
Afraid of change, afraid of staying the same
When temptation calls...

This name is the hairshirt I wear
And this hairshirt is woven from, it's woven from, it's woven from hair
This song is the cross that I bear
Bear with me, bear with me, bear with me
Be with me tonight

And when I was born, they looked at me and said,
"What a good boy, what a smart boy, what a strong boy."
When you were born, they looked at you and said,
"What a good girl, what a smart girl, what a pretty girl."
Comments (176)add comment
Love it. It seems like no time has passed since their amazing Gordon album came out, but then, I distract easily.
Posted 8 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
non now folks,,, I dig this guys voice.... but what does anyone care what I think.... you really should though
Posted 8 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
Just put this guy out of his misery — worst band with the worst song.
Posted 9 years ago by akdavey    [ Reply ]
Wow.  that was painful.
Posted 13 years ago by drekar    [ Reply ]
 mattcol99 wrote:
The best live band Ive seen - they are really good fun
 

That's sad.
Posted 13 years ago by Photo-John    [ Reply ]
Mute
Posted 13 years ago by Photo-John    [ Reply ]

Play It Kevin by ~TraCooCoo
Tracy    ©2005-2010 ~TraCooCoo

Steve, Kevin, Ed and Jim in London, Ontario - November 26, 2005. Picture taken from the first row.


Posted 13 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Very talented musicians, actually — sadly 'misunderstood' by many who see them only as a goofball band. And even something like 1,000,000 Dollars is a bit of social commentary.

They're a great band live, as well.

Posted 14 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
 Geecheeboy wrote:
Probably the false advertising.
 

That is exactly right.  So much promised in the name, so little delivered.
Posted 14 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
I can't believe you guys! This song made my hair stand on end and I had to comment for the first time in over a year. More BNL!
Posted 14 years ago by blackdogsailing    [ Reply ]
this is terrible.  bad bad bad
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
Everyone can shut up-the band is fantastic and great fun live. It's refreshing to hear intelligent lyrics and fine intrument playing in this day of Auto-tune. Love them.


Posted 15 years ago by lovemydog    [ Reply ]
 daveesh wrote:
last night eric gagne surpassed this band as the worst canadian export ever.
 
i personally believe it is toss up between Brian Adams or Celine Dion.

Posted 15 years ago by bcdawgfather    [ Reply ]
Except for one or two songs - I'm sure they'll come to me in a moment - Barenaked Ladies is an exemplar of mediocrity.
Posted 15 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
he really sounds like he's STRAINING on this song.....no likey{#Grumpy}
Posted 15 years ago by SuzenJueL    [ Reply ]
I cannot get past the thought that something needs to be extracted from his throat to make his voice sound normal again.
Posted 15 years ago by thatch    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:
While I'm a fan of naked ladies, I find this band unbearable.
 

I agree!
Posted 15 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
Their live album Rock Spectacle is awesome.  I'm not so fond of their studio albums. I'm pretty sure this version of this song is on Rock Spectacle.  
Posted 15 years ago by randomprime    [ Reply ]
The best live band Ive seen - they are really good fun
Posted 15 years ago by mattcol99    [ Reply ]
This is kind of ... dated. For me anyway. I thought BNL were the coolest 'bout four years ago; now not so much.
Posted 15 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
While I'm a fan of naked ladies, I find this band unbearable.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
This is bloody awful {#Puke}
Posted 15 years ago by smadanayr    [ Reply ]
Posted 15 years ago by Neil66    [ Reply ]
This name is the hairshirt I wear, And this hairshirt is woven from your brown hair. These lyrics are just phenomenal.
Posted 15 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Steve Paige is surely the most unlikely of performers. But OMFG, what a voice and what a great live performer he is. The BNLs are a Canadian treasure, for sure! Love the BNLs!
Posted 15 years ago by big_gare    [ Reply ]
Somebody with my password rated this song a 1 some time ago. I changed it. I kinda like it now.
Posted 16 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
ouch - please stop...
Posted 16 years ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
Bill would not play this song if he did not know what he is doing. It actually is a good song...as it stands, alone.
Posted 16 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
This song do not belong to RP
Posted 16 years ago by Arowana    [ Reply ]
Wow. Dude's REALLY flat.
Posted 16 years ago by agnes    [ Reply ]
mongoose01ca wrote:
BNL = 1 That is all.
fixed
Posted 16 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
Photo-John wrote:
Why do I dislike this band so much? I can't figure it out. But they annoy the hell out of me.
Probably the false advertising.
Posted 16 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
daveesh wrote:
last night eric gagne surpassed this band as the worst canadian export ever.
It's still 2 1/2 games. Not to worry.
Posted 16 years ago by crinky    [ Reply ]
me no like
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
last night eric gagne surpassed this band as the worst canadian export ever.
Posted 16 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
These guys are so much better when they're not doing One Week, It's All Been Done, or If I Had $1,000,000 (Brian Wilson almost makes that list).
Posted 16 years ago by gabbadar    [ Reply ]
Decent song in its original album version, but this slowed-down version just sucks all the life and energy out of it.
Posted 16 years ago by 300BaudAcoustic    [ Reply ]
mongoose01ca wrote:
BNL = 10 That is all.
YUP You really have to listen to this band deeper to see why they have to been around so long.
Posted 16 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
Never understood the popularity (or longevity) of this band. Just not my cuppa tea, I guess.
Posted 16 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
BNL = 10 That is all.
Posted 16 years ago by mongoose01ca    [ Reply ]
Hannio wrote:
You're telling me this was before they sold out? They must really suck now.
That's funny.
Posted 16 years ago by Photo-John    [ Reply ]
Why do I dislike this band so much? I can't figure it out. But they annoy the hell out of me.
Posted 16 years ago by Photo-John    [ Reply ]
Great song... Heard it the first time when a student colleague of mine (a Canadian lady, fully dressed, though) sang it with guitar accompaniment. It takes a strong song to work well in such intimate and "bare" circumstances. The "original" is of course great, too.
Posted 17 years ago by TH    [ Reply ]
If these lyrics don't do anything for you other than say "bar band" and "what an annoying voice" I think you may be too hip and sarcastic for the world.
Posted 17 years ago by wishlist    [ Reply ]
daveesh wrote:
dork rock
Yeah -- love it!
Posted 17 years ago by helene    [ Reply ]
nuggler wrote:
First time I'm hearing these chicks. Thought they'd be Chicks but they're not...?
Here, fixed that for ya.
Posted 17 years ago by Ag3nt0rang3    [ Reply ]
LorraineV1 wrote:
LOVE this song. I agree that the BNL were so much better before they sold out to Americans. Canadian artists need to stick with their quirkiness and realness- it works!
You're telling me this was before they sold out? They must really suck now.
Posted 17 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Great naked Ladies !
Posted 17 years ago by theridgeweb    [ Reply ]
I once had the pleasure of seeing this band live. We were about center stage, maybe 5 rows back in an open air venue on a warm summer night. It might of been the best night of my life. They really do play to the crowd.
Posted 17 years ago by Uncle_Remus    [ Reply ]
LOVE this song. I agree that the BNL were so much better before they sold out to Americans. Canadian artists need to stick with their quirkiness and realness- it works!
Posted 17 years ago by LorraineV1    [ Reply ]
First time I'm hearing these chicks. Thought they'd be Hot but they're not...?
Posted 17 years ago by nuggler    [ Reply ]
not really a fan of BNL, but holy crap this song is really good, glad i actually listened to the words, love those desperate lyrics.
Posted 17 years ago by enidualc    [ Reply ]
These guys are absolutely great live. They are so much fun on stage, the whole show is a blast whether you are a big fan of their music or not. And you are likely to have that moment where you realize how many of their tunes you know. Then they throw in some hysterical covers of Beastie Boys and Wham! tunes.
Posted 17 years ago by cbrandtbuffalo    [ Reply ]
Great song from when BNL didn't pander to American radio tastes.
Posted 17 years ago by thewaxtadpole    [ Reply ]
junebaby65 wrote:
My thoughts exactly...boy does his voice annoy me...Below average bar band masquerading as "alternative" rock
Sounds like there's something stuck in his throat that he needs to cough up.
Posted 17 years ago by thatch    [ Reply ]
Funny how they sound like a completely different band when this guy sings.
Posted 17 years ago by savoyard    [ Reply ]
Original pop band. I really like them.
Posted 17 years ago by stabby    [ Reply ]
My thoughts exactly...boy does his voice annoy me...Below average bar band masquerading as "alternative" rock daveesh wrote:
dork rock
Posted 17 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
jules44 wrote:
Always thought this was one of their best songs.
That's sad.
Posted 17 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Gross... You know, that Along-Came-Polly-sweaty-belly-to-the-face-basketball-scene kind of gross.
Posted 17 years ago by palphd    [ Reply ]
dork rock
Posted 17 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
MojoJojo wrote:
I think it's cool when an audience sings along to a song without prompting. You can feel the love – so to speak. The enthusiasm of the audience is contagious. It makes this quite a compelling song. I don't know that I would purchase an entire BL album, but this is great.
If only it drowned him out ; ).
Posted 17 years ago by thatch    [ Reply ]
blueuk808 wrote:
Cant get into these at all - think it's his voice - being a bit like a cross between Morrissey and a club singer! Feel like asking how things are doing down at the Creek
Yup
Posted 17 years ago by Lensles    [ Reply ]
I think it's cool when an audience sings along to a song without prompting. You can feel the love – so to speak. The enthusiasm of the audience is contagious. It makes this quite a compelling song. I don't know that I would purchase an entire BL album, but this is great.
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Please stop singing.......
Posted 17 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
Cant get into these at all - think it's his voice - being a bit like a cross between Morrissey and a club singer! Feel like asking how things are doing down at the Creek
Posted 17 years ago by blueuk808    [ Reply ]
ugh...
Posted 17 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
Always thought this was one of their best songs.
Posted 17 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
Love BNL!! Haven't heard this live version before-- it's great! Thanks!
Posted 17 years ago by weevilkinevil    [ Reply ]
like buttah...
Posted 17 years ago by sukilau    [ Reply ]
chitown wrote:
I would have to go with the album version on this one.
Exactly. Steve just didn't quite have the vocals together on this one, but the album version is full of passion. Still a great song by my favorite band to see live.
Posted 17 years ago by NeuroJoe    [ Reply ]
I would have to go with the album version on this one.
Posted 17 years ago by chitown    [ Reply ]
I do love these guys, and I like this tune. It's not my favorite of theirs, but still good.
Posted 17 years ago by Catalytic    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite tunes by BNL. This and the song about the New Kids on the Block from the same album (Gordon). Gotta love em.
Posted 17 years ago by chriseross    [ Reply ]
You gotta luv these guys - they sound great and it can't always be so serious
Posted 18 years ago by sainzfan    [ Reply ]
Another great Canadian ensemble. I recall hearing /seeing them busking at the Vancouver Pacific National Exhibition in the late '80s...I really believe they were in the vanguard of the non pretty geek looking bands...looked more like guys I might know in real life..and it was about the sound, not the package.
Posted 18 years ago by yclept    [ Reply ]
guitar_man_101 wrote:
GOTTA AGREE!
MORE of this passionate music, less of that beautiful and totally empty stuff I have been hearing on here lately. BNL is awesome. I had their live disk until it was stolen from my car. Have to say of the 30 CDs they took, this one is probably the greatest loss. thanks for playing RP.
Posted 18 years ago by NiceGuy2005    [ Reply ]
GunnerXP wrote:
BARENAKED LADIES!!!
GOTTA AGREE!
Posted 18 years ago by guitar_man_101    [ Reply ]
BARENAKED LADIES!!!
Posted 18 years ago by GunnerXP    [ Reply ]
I can remember seeing these guys at the Town Pump in Vancouver ... it must have been late 80's Doing a Rap and beat box thing... we didnt know who they were then ... they were really funny and made quite a few great cracks about a buddy of mine and his really bad jacket he had on (sort of like a Thriller Jacket) It was a good night... they were still Indie and you could tell the talent they had was extreme Good for the BNL to go so far and make such an impact
Posted 18 years ago by huebdoo    [ Reply ]
Why play a track from these guys live and the previous Phish track form the studio album? Switch it around. Better yet, don't play this one at all.
Posted 18 years ago by Dylan76    [ Reply ]
What a set a pipes on this guy. Love em, I do!
Posted 18 years ago by meghan89    [ Reply ]
Hob wrote:
That said, and although BNL are an awesome experience live, I have to say that I prefer the studio version of this song.
I definitely prefer the live version. The slowed-down tempo suits the song better. However, I do prefer the coda-less ending of the studio version. Great song, great band.
Posted 18 years ago by jayladdin    [ Reply ]
Eeek! Make it stop!
Posted 18 years ago by Gorky    [ Reply ]
whoever said this guy can't sing, isn't listening. or has never heard him sing live. the guy has got an incredibly strong set of lungs, plus an ear and range to boot.
Posted 18 years ago by Thea    [ Reply ]
I saw these guys once and liked it a lot, but this sucks.
Posted 18 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
What a good Barenaked boy ladies (live)! Knock it off, Mari!!!!
Posted 18 years ago by larz    [ Reply ]
I just saw these guys in concert last Saturday with a friend of mine. I've never been a big BNL fan, but I gotta admit, they put on a great show. I can see why their fan base is huge...if you've never caught them live, it's a treat.
Posted 18 years ago by shakitten    [ Reply ]
Pipes wrote:
Tune your fm dial to cities 97 and chill!
These ass clowns are the poster children for Clear Channel--No thanks.
Posted 18 years ago by mig7    [ Reply ]
mig7 wrote:
I'm honored you're stalking me. Remind me never to run for office--Doesn't change the fact that these "high-art dorks" suck.
Tune your fm dial to cities 97 and chill!
Posted 18 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
Nuance wrote:
not a suprising post from you, given the polar voting you seem to do. Give out a lot of 10's and 1's do we??
I'm honored you're stalking me. Remind me never to run for office--Doesn't change the fact that these "high-art dorks" suck.
Posted 18 years ago by mig7    [ Reply ]
I like their diverse sounds and the fact that they actually sing, not a lot seem to anymore. Gotta love their sense of humor also. Not everything they do is great song, but usually decent and have some very good ones also.
Posted 18 years ago by Jerry_Scott    [ Reply ]
Hob wrote:
I love this song, I've no idea where the guy finds so much reserve in his voice, every chorus he picks it up another notch. That said, and although BNL are an awesome experience live, I have to say that I prefer the studio version of this song.
Prezactly.
Posted 18 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
I love this song, I've no idea where the guy finds so much reserve in his voice, every chorus he picks it up another notch. That said, and although BNL are an awesome experience live, I have to say that I prefer the studio version of this song.
Posted 18 years ago by Hob    [ Reply ]
I just love those guys! That's all I have to say.
Posted 19 years ago by Aberdonian    [ Reply ]
After close listening I ended up really liking these guys, not all songs though (Yoko Ono comes to mind) but some songs really seems to stand out for me and this is one.
Posted 19 years ago by stratrjb    [ Reply ]
I'm clearly in the minority here, but...never really cared a lot for these guys music, but one of their more interesting songs I think. Sounds like there must be a personal story behind it. I wonder what it is.
Posted 19 years ago by NiceGuy2005    [ Reply ]
tnt_thomas wrote:
Love these guys and they're canadian too. Not a lot of Canadian content worthy of RP, but I think they are!
Not a lot of Canadian content worthy of RP? What about Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Sarah Harmer just for starters.
Posted 19 years ago by baboo    [ Reply ]
eww.
Posted 19 years ago by Angloray    [ Reply ]
The worst song from a great album, sung poorly. Can we have a full-speed version at least?
Posted 19 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
Ow
Posted 19 years ago by MrKite    [ Reply ]
home_star wrote:
what an annoying ass song!!!!
I've never cared to listen to ass songs either. I dunno. It's a pretty decent little pop song.
Posted 19 years ago by ptooey    [ Reply ]
home_star wrote:
what an annoying ass song!!!!
Very succinctly put.
Posted 19 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
pigglywiggly wrote:
Their live album Rock Spectacle is definitely worth checking out. A great band live.
I saw them live at a place where the acoustics were so awful that it really muffled any of their lyrics. They looked like they were jamming though!
Posted 19 years ago by Steelhead    [ Reply ]
mig7 wrote:
I hate this lounge-lizard, idol to the comic-book nerds shit.
not a suprising post from you, given the polar voting you seem to do. Give out a lot of 10's and 1's do we??
Posted 19 years ago by Nuance    [ Reply ]
Their live album Rock Spectacle is definitely worth checking out. A great band live.
Posted 19 years ago by pigglywiggly    [ Reply ]
I hate this lounge-lizard, idol to the comic-book nerds shit.
Posted 19 years ago by mig7    [ Reply ]
I came to love BNL after making a typo on a BMG Form and getting "Maybe You Should Drive." Before that, I hated everything I heard by them ("One Week" had just been released). After a few listens to that album, I bought the whole catalog, Stunt included. Anybody who thinks they're getting the whole picture of this band based on their singles is mistaken. I don't understand why they seem to be sticking with the strategy of writing one extremely cheesy novelty hit to release as the single for each album. They've been doing it since Stunt, which I guess made a crap-ton of money for them, so I guess they figure if it ain't broken, etc. Unfortunately, as the damned chimpanzee song has hopefully shown them, it is broken. Please do not judge this band by their singles. Buy just about any album and listen to all the songs about three times. I strongly suggest Maybe You Should Drive, since it won me over. The latest one is really good too, the single excluded. If you're not converted, then come tell us why. Also, one of the reasons I originally hated them was the seeming lack of vocal ability. I've come to find with this band, among others, that if you let technical proficiency be a roadblock to what you consider "good music," you're going to miss out on a lot of damn good music. (Edit: Having said all that, this tune isn't one of my faves... it grows on you though. One of those "should be experienced live" things.)
Posted 19 years ago by mynameisdanno    [ Reply ]
horrible.
Posted 19 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
Not bad....
Posted 19 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
I agree with the Morrissey comparison. This guy can't sing either.
Posted 19 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
kind has that "100 bottles of beer on the wall" swagger to it (not jimmy), i like it!
Posted 20 years ago by stratrjb    [ Reply ]
Voxx wrote:
I Actually Like and know these guys but the singer sounds like Rick Ashley which is really too bad.. Great bass Player..
I believe you meant Rick ASTLEY... (not that I was a fan!). I appreciate BNL's variety of styles and snappy lyrics, but can't listen when my wife's around because SHE admires the lead vocals about as much as most who've posted here (very little!).
Posted 20 years ago by UUMike    [ Reply ]
Well put, people in the Upstate NY and adjacent Canada got to enjoy BNL for while before most folks heard of them. I was in Rochester and was lucky enough to see a few of their shows. They really are one of the most entertaing bands I've ever seen live. (I also have seen lots! :-) skindy wrote:
My ex and I got into BNL just after Gordon came out (still my favorite of all their albums), and I saw them 2x live before most of America was familiar with them via Stunt. I have to say, theirs was the most enjoyable concert I've EVER seen (and I've seens lots!) High-energy from beginning to end, with moments of sublime hilarity (their covers medley spoofing everyone from Prince to NSync-type boy bands) and then moments like this song, which still brings tears to my eyes. Please folks, listen to all their albums before you dismiss them as "one-hit wonders" or a "novelty act." They are neither -- just very talented and enduring!
Posted 20 years ago by kokope11i    [ Reply ]
Music is always best if it's served live, especially if it's a good song sung by a great band.
Posted 20 years ago by JCEntMan    [ Reply ]
stubbsz wrote:
I think he sounds like Natalie Merchant.
Now that was funny!
Posted 20 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
To add another comparison, I've always felt his voice is a bit like Morrisey's. Anyway, I second those who believe BNL is talented and has some amazing songs, but has gotten too cute and overplayed and pop since Gordon (an excellent album).
Posted 20 years ago by Miles    [ Reply ]
Carissa wrote:
Wow. This guy sounds remarkably horrible.
I think he sounds like Natalie Merchant.
Posted 20 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
I Actually Like and know these guys but the singer sounds like Rick Ashley which is really too bad.. Great bass Player..
Posted 20 years ago by Voxx    [ Reply ]
m9 wrote:
Ugh, Reminds me of Meatloaf.
Ya got something against stocky romantics ? Big guys need love too !!!
Posted 20 years ago by philarktos    [ Reply ]