Lyrical Analysis and its Importance

Lyrical Analysis

Her name is Noel
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

Her boyfriend's a d***
And he brings a gun to school
And he'd simply kick
My ass if he knew the truth
He lives on my block
And he drives an IROC
But he doesn't know who I am
And he 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

Oh, yeah, dirtbag, no, she doesn't know what she's missin'
Oh, yeah, dirtbag, no, she doesn't know what she's missin'

Man, I feel like mold
It's prom night and I am lonely
Low 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

Oh, yeah, dirtbag, no, she doesn't know what she's missin'
Oh, yeah, dirtbag, no, she doesn't know what she's missin'

In the music video, there are multiple links to the lyrics shown throughout, including images that represent the meaning behind the words as well as more obvious links. For example, on the line “Her name is Noel”, the girl (presumably Noel) appears out of the car.

One large link throughout the piece is use of teenagers in the video. As the song is called ‘Teenage Dirtbag’, the use of teenagers in the video was inevitable. However it is cleverly shown in the video by having the majority of the teenagers in the video when the line “I’m just a teenage dirtbag baby” is sung. This is also well done due to the fact that the teenagers are seen to be partying and watching a band, a stereotype of teenagers in high school.

On the lines “She doesn’t know who I am” and She doesn’t give a damn about me”, the girl is seen to be supposedly looking at the boy, but is in fact looking at someone behind him, emphasising the idea that she doesn’t even know the boy exists.  

The other boy leaves the boy on floor after he had been knocked over when the singer says ‘He doesn’t give a damn about me’, again emphasising what point made by the lyrics.

          Another rather obvious example would be when the girl walks over to the boy on the line ‘She walks over to me’.

Having lyrics in a song is very important as they help to convey any points, ideologies or messages meant for the audience. It also the audience to understand the music video better; with lyrical links (such as the ones mentioned above) it can be much easier to understand the meaning behind a song and the music video. This can also work the other way around.