Too Bad About Your Girl

The song "Too Bad About Your Girl" by The Donnas from their 2002 album Spend The Night is a high-energy anthem that captures the band’s signature blend of punk, metal, and classic rock. In a 2017 interview with Stereogum, lead vocalist Brett Anderson (aka Donna A.) reflected on the band’s approach to songwriting, noting that tracks like "Too Bad About Your Girl" were crafted to flip traditional rock tropes, with lyrics that playfully objectified men to level the playing field in a male-dominated genre. Anderson recounted how radio hosts often misunderstood the band’s imperative tone, asking, “Sooo, when are you gonna take it off?” to which they’d retort that the songs were commands, not invitations. This cheeky attitude shines through in the song’s narrative, which delivers a sassy kiss-off to a romantic rival with unapologetic swagger.

The music video for "Too Bad About Your Girl" features a cameo-heavy appearance by the cast of the 2003 skateboarding film Grind, adding a layer of early-2000s pop culture flair. The video’s integration with the movie wasn’t just promotional; it reflected The Donnas’ growing presence in film soundtracks during this period, with their music also appearing in movies like Dodgeball and The Hangover. The song’s infectious guitar riffs and driving rhythm made it a standout track, later included in the 2016 deluxe re-release of Spend The Night by Cherry Red Records, which added live versions and B-sides to showcase the band’s raw energy. Fans on social media, particularly in groups like the The Donnas Fans Facebook group, often cite the song as a quintessential example of the band’s ability to deliver fun, rebellious rock without pretense.

The Donnas formed in Palo Alto, California, in 1993, when its members—Brett Anderson (vocals), Allison Robertson (guitar), Maya Ford (bass), and Torry Castellano (drums)—were still in eighth grade. Originally called The Electrocutes, they adopted the name The Donnas and matching “Donna” monikers (Donna A., Donna R., etc.) to distinguish themselves from another band, a nod to their playful, unified identity inspired by punk pioneers like the Ramones. Their early gigs were scrappy, fueled by a desire to join the local band scene where “everyone else seemed to have a band,” as Robertson later shared in a 2022 profile on In4fp. They recorded their first album, The Donnas, with producer Darin Raffaelli on his Super*teem! label, later re-released by Lookout! Records. A week-long tour of Japan during their senior year of high school, organized by Pinky Aoki of The Phantom Gift, marked a pivotal moment, cementing their commitment to music.

After building a cult following in the punk scene, The Donnas signed with Atlantic Records in 2001, leading to their major-label debut, Spend The Night. Their influences—ranging from the Runaways and Kiss to AC/DC and Girlschool—shaped their sound, which Rolling Stone described as a “guileless take on adolescent alienation” focused on “kicks, not catharsis.” Despite their success, the band maintained creative control, resisting industry pressures to conform, as Anderson humorously recalled rejecting degrading reality TV pitches. Though the band is no longer active, their legacy endures through fan communities and nostalgia for their unapologetic rock spirit.

You can connect with The Donnas through their archived official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, though activity has slowed since their hiatus. Fans continue to celebrate the band on platforms like the The Donnas Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks and others share memories, rare photos, and discussions about tracks like "Too Bad About Your Girl." Additional fan-driven sites, such as AllMusic’s artist page, offer detailed discographies and reviews for those looking to dive deeper into the band’s history.