Skip to main content

Punk Boy

Who’s that boy with the honey face
Looks like he should be sedated
He’s all smash and grab in his Adidas tags
Wound up and agitated

And I bet he’s not a real punk boy
Bet he’s not a real punk boy
Bet he’s not a real punk boy!

Does your heart go boom when he walks in the room
Do rain clouds scatter and fall
Do you feel yourself sigh when he passes you by
Or do you grow a hundred feet tall

D’you go bang shang alang
Every time you see him
D’you go bang shang alang
Every time you’re near him
D’you go bang shang alang
Every time you hear him

Cos if you don’t he’s not a real punk boy
If you don’t he’s not a real punk boy
If you don’t he’s not a real punk boy at all!

Who’s that boy with the ocean green eyes
In Rough Trade every Saturday
Don’t he look cute in his Eighties track suit
I wish I hadn’t thrown mine away

And I bet he’s not a real punk boy
Bet he’s not a real punk boy
Bet he’s not a real punk boy!

Do stars explode when he walks you home
On a cool and clear evening
D’you wanna put him on like your favourite song
Or never wanna hear him

D’you go bang shang alang
Every time you see him
D’you go bang shang alang
Every time you’re near him
D’you go bang shang alang
Every time you hear him

Cos if you don’t he’s not a real punk boy
If you don’t he’s not a real punk boy
If you don’t he’s not a real punk boy at all!

Song Notes

“Punk Boy” is a cover of a song by Helen Love. Ash’s version of the track originally appeared on two compilation albums, both released in 1994, “Crazed and Confused”, an EP that also featured Supergrass and later a “Helpline” compilation album. The band eventually released the track on the US version of Trailer in 1995 and also as a double A-side single with “Petrol”, also in the US. It was played live regularly during the Trailer era and returned to the set during the 20th anniversary shows for 1977.