The song "Delaware Taggett and the Outlaw Boys" by The Hollies speaks of youthful rebellion and the thrill of breaking rules. The lyrics describe young girls and boys gathering on porches, filled with tempers and burning torches. The town is colored brown, perhaps indicating a sense of dirtiness or decay. The narrator speaks of himself as a man now, with hair on his top lip, but still feeling repressed and held back. His mother warns him not to stay too late at the front gate, but he feels safe in numbers and strong for the first time. The chorus reinforces the idea that rebellion can have consequences, but the thrill and sense of empowerment are worth it. The song also touches on themes of forbidden attraction and desire. The narrator speaks of off-duty porters and sleeping wives, juxtaposed with on-duty daughters finding excitement in touching boys. The mention of Delaware Taggett and the Outlaw Boys adds a touch of humor and playfulness to the song, as if they are a notorious gang causing trouble in the town. Overall, the song captures the restlessness and recklessness of youth, the desire to break free and find a sense of power and excitement.
