Dirty White Boy

Foreigner

About Dirty White Boy

"Dirty White Boy" is a song recorded by British-American rock band Foreigner, written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, and produced by Roy Thomas Baker, Jones, and Ian McDonald. It was the first single taken from the band's third studio album, Head Games (1979). The B-side, "Rev On The Red Line" has also proven to be very popular among fans, but was never released as an A-side. Lou Gramm's trademark scream at the end of the song is missing from this abbreviated version of "Dirty White Boy". Jones has claimed that the song was about Elvis Presley, adding that "he always was that dirty white boy who changed the shape of music completely. It was talking about the kind of heritage that he left, and I think that had an effect on all the musicians that came after, like Mick Jagger - he was also a dirty white boy. Elvis paved the way for all that." However, some listeners misinterpreted the song as a "crypto-racist statement." 


Year:
1979
3:37
362 
#1

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Hey baby, if you're falling down, I know what's good for you all day
Are you worried what your friends see
And will it ruin your reputation loving me?
'Cause I'm a dirty white boy, yeah a dirty white boy, a dirty white boy
Don't drive no big black car, don't like no Hollywood movie stars
You want me to be true to you, you don't give a damn what I do to you
I'm just a dirty white boy (dirty white boy) dirty white boy (dirty white boy)
Dirty white boy, dirty white boy
Well I'm a dirty white boy, (dirty white boy), dirty white boy, yeah dirty white boy
A dirty white boy
I've been in trouble since I don't know when
I'm in trouble now and I know somehow I'll find trouble again
I'm a loner but I'm never alone
Every night I get one step closer to the danger zone
'Cause I'm a dirty white boy,(dirty white boy) yeah dirty white boy (dirty white boy)
I'm a dirty white boy, dirty white boy
Come on come on boy, (dirty white boy) white boy (dirty white boy)
I'm a dirty white boy, dirty white boy
Hey I'm a dirty white boy (dirty white boy) yeah I'm a dirty white boy
(Dirty white boy) dirty white boy yeah

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Foreigner

Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm. Foreigner has sold over 37.5 million albums in the United States alone. more »

4 fans

Written by: LOU GRAMM, MICK JONES

Lyrics © SOMERSET SONGS PUBLISHING INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Date
"Dirty White Boy" was released on September 12, 1979 by the rock band Foreigner.
Song Record Album
It is one of the popular songs from "Head Games," Foreigner's third studio album.
Chart Performance
The song peaked at number 12 on the BillBoard Hot 100 chart in the United States
Genre
"Dirty White Boy" is widely recognized as a rock song, specifically falling under the sub-genre of hard rock.
Lead Singer
The song was sung by the band's lead vocalist, Lou Gramm.
Writers
The song was written by Foreigner's founding member and lead guitarist Mick Jones, along with their singer, Lou Gramm.
Music Video
Although "Dirty White Boy" was released at a time when music videos were not yet prevalent, a promotional video was made to accompany the single, providing a demonstration of the band's stage performance.
Cultural Impact
The song continues to be a staple on classic rock radio stations even decades after its release, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Foreigner's music.
Cover Versions
The band New Medicine did a cover of the song that was used in the professional wrestling video game, WWE '12.
Concert Staple
"Dirty White Boy" is frequently included in Foreigner's live performances, signifying the song's classic status within their catalog.
Controversies
The album cover of "Head Games," which features the "Dirty White Boy," sparked some controversy due to its suggestive nature, depicting a girl in a bathroom stall. This lead to mixed reviews and some retailers even refused to stock it.
Song Theme
"Dirty White Boy" is generally perceived as a song expressing rebellion and youthful defiance, a common theme in hard rock songs.

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    Dirty White Boy

    1.8M
    21,232     0

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1979

    Billboard #12


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