Gimme Brains

Album: Ladies, Women and Girls (2000)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Perhaps first generation riot grrrl band Bratmobile's most popular track from their 2000 album Ladies, Women and Girls, "Gimme Brains," is one of the band's most empowering songs - with shout-able lyrics and a defiant swagger the lyrics proclaim, "a boy is good for nothing, can't give you nothing/ I'm sick of nothing." The song is ostensibly about jilting "all the f--kin' boys/ in the f--kin' bands," but is, on a deeper level, about the implications of romance within a radical and feminist framework. As vocalist for the band, Allison Wolfe said in an interview with Perfect Sound Forever, this, and a few other Bratmobile songs are about, "how girls go out with a guy in a band and they think that's cool, but really the guy is a jerk. You have to become your own punk rock dream come true. You need to respect yourself and be your own star." "Gimme Brains" has the melodics of a pop song, underscoring the clever joke of the refrain that begs, "gimme brains for breakfast, baby/ gimme more for lunch" and on, asserting not only a joking vengeful violence but also the desire for a thoughtful male lover. This standout track is featured on Ladies, Women and Girls, the band's second studio album, recorded after a six year hiatus.
  • Bratmobile was a highly influential riot grrrl band formally finding its start in Washington DC, but with most members hailing from and residing in Olympia, Washington. The band's first show was in the winter of 1991 in Olympia. The band released three full length, studio albums, one EP, and a number of split 7" with a handful of admired punk bands. The band broke up in 1996, reuniting again in 2000 before amicably parting ways in 2004.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Billy Gould of Faith No More

Billy Gould of Faith No MoreSongwriter Interviews

Faith No More's bassist, Billy Gould, chats to us about his two new experimental projects, The Talking Book and House of Hayduk, and also shares some stories from the FNM days.

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.