It's finally happy songtime again! Here's a song that I'm not quite sure what to make of. On one hand, the concept of this older person coming on to this younger, very distressed girl is really sketchy. However, I love the idea that "You're only 19 for God's sake-- you don't need a boyfriend". There's plenty of songs about leaving boyfriends, but I've never heard a song about not needing one in the first place. Be the judge and jury; here are the lyrics. And as always, find listening links at the bottom:
"Once and Never Again"
by The Long Blondes (2006! Something semi-recent at last!)
19. you're only 19 for God's sake,
Oh, you don't need a boyfriend.
19. you're only 19 for God's sake,
Oh, you don't need a boyfriend.
Look what he's made you do to your arm again,
He said he'd come round but he's gone out with his friends,
And I know how it feels to be your age
and feel the world is caving in.
Another drama by the kitchen sink tonight,
You said you'd cut yourself whilst washing up the knives,
Another week off school won't do you any good,
And I know how it feels to be your age.
19. you're only 19 for God's sake,
Oh, you don't need a boyfriend.
19. you're only 19 for God's sake,
Oh, you don't need a boyfriend.
Come back with me, and find out what you really want,
Come home with me you'll only have to do it once,
'cause I know what it feels like to be your age,
You only have to do it once,
And never again.
Another drama by the kitchen sink tonight,
You said you'd cut yourself whilst washing up the knives,
Another week off school won't do you any good,
And I know how it feels to be your age.
You know I'm not so young,
I spend an hour getting ready every day,
And still I end up looking more or less the same,
But I could show you,
a thing or two.
Oh, I could show you the ropes,
Yes I could show you the ropes,
And I would cut my hair for you,
'Cause I know how it feels.
I know how it feels to be your age,
I know how it feels to be your age,
Oh, how I'd love to feel a girl your age,
Your age,
Once and never again
For once, there's actually a (professional!) video on Youtube, so you can see/hear it here.
(And thanks to the excellent Slumberland Records Podcast for putting me on to this particular song. You can also hear it there.)
2 comments:
O.o That is a rather sketch song. The "19 and don't need a boyfriend" is a nice sentiment, but it seems to be followed up by "you can just have sex with older men instead!" which does not seem to me to be a good replacement.
I also thought it was funny that the singer is a woman who looks to be in her 20s. She has a great voice! Also the tune was not what I expected, although I did like it!
Hmm, I didn't say it was in a man's voice...I wasn't sure what the singer's gender was, so I didn't mention it.
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