Thinky Thoughts About Pop

[kerravonsen]

I was just listening to The Best of Nik Kershaw(*) while doing a bit of sorting in the lounge, and "Shame On You" came up in the shuffle. Not a song I'd been aware of when it came out, but as it's on the album, well, I've listened to it a few times now.

The verses are a catalogue of all the heroic deeds that the singer would do for his girl to show his love for her. Awwww, isn't that nice? When you get to the chorus, you realize that the answer is "no".

Shame on you, shame on you
Oh what does a boy have to do for you?
Shame on you, shame on you
Oh what does a boy have to do?

I know we're all supposed to be feeling sympathetic for the guy in this case, but if my boyfriend ever said that to me, he'd pretty soon be my ex-boyfriend.

Male privilege in action. Or maybe just assholeness in action. He thinks he loves her, but he doesn't; he just wants her. Wanting her, he thinks he deserves her, because of his (potential) heroism. She is an object to be won, and it's her fault if she's not behaving like a good little trophy. He'll do anything for her... except listen to her.

What's even worse - and this is why I think "male privilege" - is that the author of the song has no clue of the subtext, of how offensive it is.

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(*) reynardo is entirely to blame for this.

Comments

[tptigger]

I've found this problem with a lot of songs. Usually things I thought were so sweet when I was younger.

[dragonfly]

Yup.

[rj_anderson]

Also known as "the Nik Kershaw song most likely to run through your head twenty-five years later". But I had much the same thought about it as I was mulling over the chorus, so I am glad to know I am not alone.

The other Nik Kershaw song that runs through my head is "Don't Let Me Out of My Cage", which is disturbing on a different level. Think maybe he was playing with that whole idea of masculinity on that album? Because when I think about it, "Bogart" is another variation on the theme. I'd like to give Kershaw a little credit for irony, because it's hard to imagine that "Cage" in particular could be written with a straight face.

[kerravonsen]

Also known as "the Nik Kershaw song most likely to run through your head twenty-five years later".

(grin) It does have a very catchy chorus!

The other Nik Kershaw song that runs through my head is "Don't Let Me Out of My Cage", which is disturbing on a different level. Think maybe he was playing with that whole idea of masculinity on that album? Because when I think about it, "Bogart" is another variation on the theme.

The "Best of" album is the only one I own, so I haven't heard "Don't Let Me Out of My Cage", though "Bogart" is also on the Best-of album, so I have heard that one.
(goes off and looks at YouTube)
Hmmm.
You may be right about the "exploration of masculinity"; at least, the song seems to be about the "inner beast" that is macho-ness... and I'm not sure that irony is required, considering that the chorus is "Don't let me out of my cage boy" I take that as the man talking to himself, and not an approval of macho-ness per se.

Then again, sometimes Kershaw's lyrics are just baffling - I don't mean "The Riddle", which is meant to be enigmatic, but what springs to mind (also on the "Best of" album) is "Human Racing" - perhaps I am too logical, but how could someone you're chasing be behind you?

[rj_anderson]

Found this interesting, and I think accurate interpretation of "Human Racing" on a Kershaw fansite:

'The general idea as I see it is that people, you and I, are trying to outdo the people around us in our chosen fields, little comprehending that those others we see in front are doing all they can to outdo us. It's a vicious circle, they see us ahead of them while we see them ahead of us "There's a man...coming after me...and after him there's me". We are living intensive lives but are all duped - the competition is all in our minds. The whole race is an illusion.'

Which makes perfect sense in the context of the song, and actually should be a theme song for a lot of professional authors! :)

[kerravonsen]

That does make sense. (nods)

[reynardo.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm going to stand up proudly and claim "Guilty as Charged"!

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

It's like that Bruno Mars song - I'll catch a grenade for you, put my head on a blade for you - then he's bemoaning the fact that his girlfriend won't.

Men!

I can't see a songster extolling the virtue of always being there, never thinking they own you, being willing to put up with the "monthlies" "childbirth", being responsible and adult.

Makes me wish I could Filk, or at least carry a tune in a bucket.

PS

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

I think mine and my sister's reaction to the chorus was the refrain "Grow Up!" - In reply to what does a boy have to do.