I Wish That You Were A Girl

12 Rods' song 'I Wish That You Were A Girl' delves into the complexities of identity, desire, and societal expectations. The lyrics express a longing for the simplicity that the narrator believes would come if their partner were a girl. This desire is not rooted in dissatisfaction with their partner but rather in the confusion and awkwardness they feel in their current situation. The repeated wish for their partner to be a girl highlights the narrator's struggle with their own feelings and the societal norms that dictate how relationships should be perceived and experienced.

The song's chorus, 'Cause I feel green, If you know what I mean, Don't be so nice to me, 'Cause I feel awkward,' captures the narrator's internal conflict. The color green often symbolizes inexperience or naivety, suggesting that the narrator feels out of their depth in navigating their emotions. The plea for their partner not to be too nice indicates a discomfort with vulnerability and a fear of being exposed. This vulnerability is further emphasized in the lines, 'I'm not scared for some reason, 'Cause I got naked with you,' where physical intimacy contrasts with emotional uncertainty.

The repeated assertion, 'I wish you were a girl,' followed by the immediate retraction, 'But I'm not sorry that you're not,' underscores the narrator's internal turmoil. They are caught between societal expectations and their genuine feelings for their partner. The song's closing lines, 'I'm sinning for another answer, I'm sinning for my right to care,' suggest a rebellion against these norms and a desire to find their own path. The laughter that 'isn't so funny' hints at the pain and confusion underlying their struggle. Ultimately, 'I Wish That You Were A Girl' is a poignant exploration of identity, desire, and the quest for self-acceptance in the face of societal pressures.