That’s What Boys Are Made Of

Song Meaning

Jackie DeShannon's "That's What Boys Are Made Of" isn't a saccharine ode to masculinity, but a sharply observed, almost alchemical equation for understanding the emotional chaos boys—and perhaps, by extension, relationships—can unleash. The song meaning isn't about idealizing men, but dissecting the paradoxical blend of traits that define them in the throes of love. DeShannon distills the male essence into a recipe: "one part happiness, one part loneliness, add a little forgetfulness, mix a little now, a little tenderness." It's a potent concoction, acknowledging the inherent contradictions within a lover, and the way these contradictions fuel the dizzying experience of being in love. It's less a celebration and more a wry acceptance. The lyrical construction cleverly uses a 'recipe' as metaphor. The chorus acts as the core formula, repeatedly emphasizing the necessary components. But the verses offer practical examples. One moment, "they can make you cry a little, laugh a little," the next, "they put you in an oven and give you lots of lovin'." This push-and-pull dynamic, the emotional rollercoaster, is presented not as a flaw, but as an intrinsic part of the male makeup. The repeated line, "That's what they're made of," takes on a dual meaning: it's both a statement of fact and a slightly exasperated shrug of the shoulders. DeShannon doesn't shy away from the inherent frustrations. "You can't live with 'em, you can't live without 'em," she admits, capturing the frustrating paradox at the heart of many relationships. This isn't blind adoration; it's a clear-eyed assessment of the joys and tribulations that come with the territory. Ultimately, "That's What Boys Are Made Of" lands as a bittersweet truth – a knowing wink to the messy, complicated, and ultimately irresistible nature of love and the beings who inspire it.