Dance Hall Drug

Album: Boys Like Girls (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Singer/Guitarist Martin Johnson discussed the motivation behind this song about precocious adolescents: "So many kids are growing up too fast. 13 year olds are giving each other hand jobs in the back of the bus, 14 year olds are already drinking and partying, and kids spend more time worried about growing up and being cool than they do actually growing up and being a kid. This song is basically a lyrical preaching to a 16 year old girl who is stuck wishing she was older, tempted by older guys, sex, grown up situations and drugs. The 'Dance Hall Drug' metaphor is like what ecstasy does to your brain. It gives you a false sense of happiness and reality. In her case, her false sense of happiness is an older, tempting guy, who she doesn't have to give her body up to be happy."

Comments: 2

  • Hannah from Carmel, InI love this song! it is really catchy and this isn't speaking to a girl-it is talking to EVERY girl out there who may be tempted by these things as well. i mean.... seriously. My mom thinks I have a bad tasted in music???????? these kids ROCK!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU GIRLSLIKEBOYS!!!!!!!!
  • Caitlin from Jersey City, NjI love this song!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith

Steven Tyler of AerosmithSongwriter Interviews

Tyler talks about his true love: songwriting. How he identifies the beauty in a melody and turns sorrow into art.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.