Musical Interlude: “The Last Girl on Earth”

“What is the most thought-provoking song lyric you’ve ever heard?”

There are many, but one recent one comes to mind:

“Last Girl on Earth,” by the Supreme Beings of Leisure.

Specifically, the chorus:

There’s nothing out there
Am I the last girl on earth
Don’t you want me
If I’m the last girl on earth
There’s nothing out there
And I’m the last girl on earth

I’ve been listening to this song for years, and it has become kind of a haunting puzzle as to whether or not the intention of the song was to portray the woman as very deranged and manipulative.

To me there are three distinct statements:

“There’s nothing out there
Am I the last girl on earth”

This is her realization that, despite her efforts, she feels invisible to potential suitors. Everyone else has secured their relationship equals and effectively taken all her options.

“Don’t you want me
If I’m the last girl on earth”

Desperation kicks in when she manages to find someone. This is almost pleading, as if to say that both might being the same situation… so why risk loneliness again.

“There’s nothing out there
And I’m the last girl on earth”

This is the most disturbing part, as it is a statement which is where the manipulation comes in; her sweet voice hopes to get into the head of the other person to project and possibly infect then with her own doubts and fears. “Dont bother,” she reassures them “because there is nothing else out there… so you will be happier staying.”

Creepy and bat-shit crazy… which is why I like the song (and band) so much. Not that I like women like this —I may or may not have had personal experiences with this type of person/situation. I just find the paring of Geri’s voice and the spirit of the song fascinating.