The song was originally released in 1976 on their album Jailbreak.The song was originally released in 1976 on their album Jailbreak.The song was originally released in 1976 on their album Jailbreak.

"It was 1976 and we were touring America", recalled Scott Gorham. "Jailbreak wasn't shifting and we weren't selling any tickets – but there we were, gigging around… The manager came in and told us, 'Well guys, it looks like you have a hit record'… Our response was, 'Wow! Which song are you talking about?' When he replied, 'The Boys Are Back in Town', it was a case of 'Really?' We'd demoed maybe 15 songs and 'The Boys Are Back in Town' wasn't among the ten that we chose for the album, which in some ways made it a double surprise.

We owe it all to two DJs in Louisville, Kentucky. They fell in love with the fucking song and played it incessantly until other stations in the surrounding area picked up on it… Had that song not kickstarted the sales of the album, then the band was over."

Lyrics

Guess who just got back today

Them wild-eyed boys that had been away

Haven't changed that much to say

But man, I still think them cats are crazy

They were askin' if you were around

How you was, where you could be found

Told 'em you were livin' downtown

Drivin' all the old men crazy

The boys are back in town

(The boys are back in town)

The boys are back in town

(The boys are back in town again)

You know that chick that used to dance a lot

Every night she'd be on the floor, shakin' what she got

When I say she was cool she was red hot

I mean, she was steamin'

And that time over at Johnny's place,

Well, this chick got up and she slapped Johnny's face

Man, we just fell about the place

If that chick don't want to know, forget her

The boys are back in town

(The boys are back in town)

The boys are back in town

(The boys are back in town)

The boys are back in town

(The boys are back in town)

The boys are back in town

(The boys are back in town again)

Spread the word around

Guess who's back in town

Just spread the word around

Friday night they'll be dressed to kill

Down at Dino's Bar 'n' Grill

The drink will flow and the blood will spill

And if the boys want to fight, you better let 'em

That jukebox in the corner blastin' out my favorite song

The nights are getting warmer, it won't be long

Won't be long till the summer comes

Now that the boys are here again

The boys are back in town

(The boys are back in town)

The boys are back in town

(The boys are back in town)

The boys are back in town

(The boys are back in town)

Spread the word around

The boys are back in town

(The boys are back in town again)

The boys are back in town again

Been hangin' down at Dino's

The boys are back in town again

Songwriters: Philip Parris Lynott

The Boys Are Back In Town lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group