Interpretation of 'Girls' by The 1975

1. ‘Girls’ - The 1975
This song isn't just about a breakup or a young girl he likes, it's really a critique of
the behavior of women (especially young, immature girls).
Bite your face to spite your nose
17 and a half years old
He's talking about her general tendency to act spontaneously or seemingly
irrationally. She'll do things that aren't good for her to satiate immediate feelings
etc. He then moves into a conversation between her and him as they are hooking
up. He's trying to convince her to go further.
Girl:
I'm worrying about my brother finding out
Boy:
What’s the fun in doing what you're told?
Girl"
I said "No!"
Standard girl behavior! She likes him but draws the line.
'Oh give it a rest, I could persuade you
I'm not your typical, stoned 18 year old
Give me a night I'll make you'
His thoughts after she says no. She actually wants to hook up but he's tired of
dealing with the problems and having to "convince" girls so they feel less guilty
about it.
"I know you're looking for salvation in the secular age
But girl I'm not your savior"
His verbal warning to her. He's not going to play these games and play into her
hands. She's looking for a savior, and since she doesn't have religion she's looking
to him. This is true for a lot of young people today- they expect too much from
relationships. You make you happy, not someone outside of you.
Wrestle to the ground
God help me now because

2. Eventually they get around to it and get it on. God help him- he's getting caught up
in the intoxication of it all.
They're just girls breaking hearts
Eyes bright, uptight, just girls
But she can't be what you need if she's 17
They're just girls
They're just girls
...and he's reminding himself not to get too caught up, because in the end they're
just girls.
A pair of frozen hands to hold
Oh she's so southern so she feels the cold
I think this is a reference to her looking for a relationship in him when it's just not
there. She feels the warmth isn't there but is still holding onto the idea of it.
One moment I was tearing off your blouse
Now you're living in my house
What happened to just messing around?
Slowly she becomes more and more involved in his life as his girlfriend, even
though that's not what he wanted, and he told her that. She still thinks he'll
change his mind.
I said "Yo, I think I better go, I can't take you
You just sit and get stoned with 30 year olds and you think you've made it"
He leaves because she's making it serious and he doesn't want to. He then moves
onto a critique of how she's spending her time. She's young and hot and is getting
attention from all the 30 year old men that are successful. This makes her feel
good and like she's important.
'Well, shouldn't you be fucking with somebody your age instead of making changes?'
He cautions her to not get too caught up in all that. Instead he thinks she should
be enjoying her youth and possibly spend it building a relationship with someone
her age, rather than being used for her youth by an older man.
Wrestle to the ground
God help me now because

3. Sexual suggestion again.
They're just girls breaking hearts
Eyes bright, uptight, just girls
But she can't be what you need if she's 17
She's immature, she can't fill his needs either.
They're just girls
They're just girls
I told her from the start
Destined to be hard
I told her from the start
I’ll break your heart
Destined to be hard
Break your heart
He told her what he was but she kept ignoring him or thinking she could change
his mind.
(The rest of the lyrics are repeated sections)
Other readings of the song include;
- It is about how vulnerable girls can be especially young girls. Teenage girls
becoming women who experiment with their surroundings and having guys
taking advantage of them.
- Shows how people in society mess around with vulnerable girls feelings and they
are taken advantage of.
- A girl breaking up with her boyfriend for an older guy who is taking advantage of
her.