Song Meaning
The lyrics immediately confront a perceived image, stating, "We aren't the nice boys they thought we were." This sets up a direct contrast between external expectations and internal reality. The repetition of "We aren't nice boys" hammers home this defiance, leaving no room for ambiguity.
The core tension lies in the revealed identity: "We're fucking nasty little bastards." This is a bold, almost aggressive reclamation of self, rejecting a sanitized public persona for something raw and unapologetic. The phrase is delivered with a clear sense of pride or at least acceptance.
The most striking element is the final, declarative statement: "And we still are." This isn't a past transgression; it's an enduring state of being. The simple addition of "still" anchors the 'nastiness' not as a phase, but as a fundamental, ongoing characteristic that the speakers embrace.
This short, potent declaration works because it’s so direct and confrontational. It challenges the listener's assumptions and offers a stark, unvarnished self-portrait that feels both defiant and strangely liberating in its honesty.