Pretty Girls, or, It Kind Of Sounds Like This Song Is About Herpes?

Umm, I once read an interview with Tom saying 'How low" was a polictical song, not a personal song, which would be contrary to what other people have said about it on this topic. BUT, they have also said they read about it in an interview saying the opposite of what I'm saying. I am 99% sure, but not being able to prodouce the article right now, I have no leg to stand on.

I've always thought of this song, behind all the detailed bologna, was just about the difficulties of just starting and maintaining a relationship. Like, he tried to get with a chick, but fucked it up before he got anywhere with it because he thought way too much about it inside of his head.

But then again i'm the type of person who doesn't analyze songs, just let them take me away......so what do i know.

Someone should just ask Tom about this. Sadly I'm not going to have the opportunity for a long while.

My friend Sean would always swear up and down that this song was about STDs. I never knew others though the same as him.

I definitely think this is about having herpes.
I know people who have it, and that song is epic to them, and dating with herpes. Pretty much describes it to a tee.
Whether or not it actually is about herpes, I'm not sure, it very well might be about something completely different, but talking about it with friends and listening to the lyrics, that's what I think it's about.

Yeah, I never thought the lyrics were a metaphor for anything. I always felt it was a story told from the perspective of a guy who recently contracted herpes or AIDS, trying to come to terms with his turmoil, knowing he'd never be able to have a normal sexual relationship again. Heart wrenching stuff. Such an amazing song lyrically, very moving.

I'd also like to say that Searching For A Former Clarity is fucking amazing and my favourite Against Me! album. A masterpiece from start to finish.

Maybe that's why they subtitled it 'The Mover'. It's a pretty moving song.

mattharris wrote:

i personally think that this forum needs a moderator, way too off topic...

Welcome to the forums.

Until about a week ago, I hated this song. Now, I'm really starting to like it, and it's relevance to the rest of the album, and the STD metaphor for the music industry.

I've gone off this song recently. It's pretty clever though. I'm looking forward to the demo

This has multiple meanings but as is pointed out on Wikipedia, as having oblique references to being transgendered, now I could be wrong but that's my opinion!

"Sometimes I pray to wake a different person in a different place"

Pretty much the whole album uses death/disease metaphors.

So Laura played a reworked acoustic version of this at Banquet the other day. I'll post mp3 asap.

As promised... http://www.mediafire.com/listen/1hp1hnvbn6gtph1/Pretty_Girls_(Live_at_Banquet_Records_2014).mp3

Irresponsibility = gender identity

Oof, so much for subtlety. This is one of my favorite songs from Searching but I'm not a fan of that version. Thankfully it doesn't sound like that with the whole band.

Never really liked the song until Laura changed the lyrics. Now it's one of my fave AM! songs. Strange how a few words can change everything.

I always had a thing for this song. I liked how she made the changes she wanted to.