Fountains of Wayne is one of those quirky bands that enjoy their quirkiness. Denise is a nice example of that. It’s almost a very sweet pop song, but what the listener really comes away with is an undercurrent of despair that the singer will not be able to hold on to his golden girl.
Personally, I love it because it’s a great tune, it’s very catchy and listenable, plus I find myself singing snatches from it all the time. I don’t mind a song like this that gets into your system, at least not when it’s a good song (one of these days I’ll vent about Kelis’ Milkshake, but the less said about that, the better).
And of course, the lyrics:
I know this girl named Denise
She makes me weak at the knees
She drives a lavender Lexus
She lives in Queens but her dad lives in Texas
[sha la la la la la la]
When she holds me
[sha la la la la la la]
I can’t help myself
[sha la la la la la la]
Won’t you tell me
Do you love me Denise?
Whoa-oh
Do you love me Denise?
Oh baby tell me please
[do ya do ya ah-oh do ya do ya]
I heard she used to be married
She listens to Puff Daddy
She works at Liberty Travel
She got a heart made of gravel
[sha la la la la la la]
She controls me
[sha la la la la la la]
She can’t help herself
[sha la la la la la la]
Won’t you tell me
Do you love me Denise?
Whoa-oh
Do you love me Denise?
Oh baby tell me please
[do ya do ya ah-oh do ya do ya]
