Meaning of "Runaway Boys" by Stray Cats

The song "Runaway Boys" by the Stray Cats portrays the struggles and desires of rebellious teenagers who feel trapped in their homes and are desperate for freedom. The lyrics express the frustration of being misunderstood and rejected by their parents, leading them to resort to running away. The repeated line "Runaway boys" serves as a mantra of rebellion and defiance against authority.

The song highlights the lack of opportunities for young people to find employment and escape their mundane lives. The line "You're only fifteen and you can't get a job" underscores the sense of hopelessness and the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of misbehavior. The teenagers turn to stealing and shooting games at a luncheonette to find some excitement in their lives, but the outcome is always the same; they end up losing their money and feeling empty.

The lyrics also touch upon the desire to be treated as adults and not as children. The line "You can act real wild they don't treat you like a child" reflects their yearning for independence and autonomy. The allure of a place where the cops don't know them and where they can "act real wild" represents their longing for a place where they can break free from the constraints placed on them by society and parental control.

Overall, "Runaway Boys" captures the feelings of adolescent rebellion and the search for freedom and identity. The lyrics portray the struggles faced by teenagers who feel trapped in their home lives and the lengths they go to escape their circumstances. It sheds light on the cycle of rebellion and the desire for independence that many teenagers experience.