"Billy Liar" is the debut single by the Decemberists. Deriving its title from the English novel ''

Billy Liar ''Billy Liar'' is a 1959 novel by Keith Waterhouse that was later adapted into a play, a film, a musical and a TV series. The work has inspired and been featured in a number of popular songs. The semi-comical story is about William Fisher, ...

'', the song also references "Nogood Boyo" of

Dylan Thomas Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "And death shall have no dominion", as well as the "play for voices" ''Under ...

' '' Under Milk Wood'' and appears to generally talk about a young man's boredom during long summer days. Musically, it has an upbeat, somewhat piano-driven, rather poppy sound.

Track listing

# "Billy Liar" – 4:08 # "Los Angeles, I'm Yours" – 4:17 # "Everything I Try to Do, Nothing Seems to Turn Out Right" – 4:03 # "Sunshine" – 2:23

References

2004 songs 2004 debut singles The Decemberists songs Songs written by Colin Meloy {{2000s-indie-rock-single-stub