If a woman wrote a song about how they believe that a man's 'place' is to work & to be the sole provider, how many men would take issue. I suspect that the vast majority of men with a work ethic would be extremely proud of their position in the family, & to feel that he is important & respected in his role. 100 years ago, this was the position in many mining towns, & the men worshipped & adored their wives for providing comfort & hot meals on his return. Once, we depended upon each others role.
Many of GOS' songs are fashioned around a catchphrase & I don't think this one's any different. I met my wife when this was released and it was a favourite of mine then but no way would we have stayed together if I believed in it, I don't think he believed in it either. Going by the look on his face @ 0:42, I'd say it was a tongue-in-cheek song, as suggested by Trexcookingfat.
When women played the home role, the man was the bread winner, families had only one income & the matriarchal mother figure made sure the kids were brought up correctly, showed others respect & were attended to in a well kept home. Now we live in an era where materialist values supersede family values. Both parents out to work, kids eat ready meals and get up to what they like with little guidance to the point some thought it OK to riot. 'Old fashioned' values - maybe there's something in them?
His neighbour is a wumman. She lives on her own and she's a bit dotty. She misplaced her fried fish dinner. Gilbert was attempting to help her locate her missing repast. Through the medium of song.
usually songwriter's are more vague in lyric meaning's, but this song's lyric's are very direct. I don't know how you can turn, an inconsiderate lyric into a considerate one.Just by explaining and defending it. The song just hit's you straight between the eye's!!!
Gilbert O'Sullivan (God luv him) is never going to win any awards for Political Correctness - if the lyrics of this track from 1974 are anything to go by, that is.
But wth ..... I don't think - for one moment - that he is going to lose any sleep over that.
Political Correctness is a very over-rated virtue, in any case (IMHO).
As I said in my previous comments on this 'You Tube' page, I believe that Gilbert O'Sullivan is a very decent guy - his somewhat old-fashioned and chauvinistic views about a woman's "place" in society, notwithstanding.
Mr O'Sullivan is, by all accounts, one of the genuinely nice, caring people in the pop/rock music industry. That industry is, without doubt, a cut-throat one, and contains many individuals who are ruthless, greedy and lacking in morality and integrity.
I have always considered myself to be a bit of a chauvinist. That said, I do understand why many women have "issues" (to use the currently fashionable, 'PC' term) with this song, and its lyrical content.
I would say, however, that the fact - if indeed it is a fact - that Gilbert O'S. has somewhat old-fashioned and chauvinistic views about a woman's "place" in society, does not make him a bad person. From what I have read - and heard - about him, Mr O'Sullivan is a very decent guy.
A fine song, but it was only a minor hit (I think it reached no. 41 in the UK charts, back in the late summer/early autumn of 1974).
If G.O'S. had written and released this song in the year 2004 - not 1974 - it would probably have engendered a considerable amount of controversy, and might even have been 'banned' by a number of major radio stations. But in those days of 37 years ago, Political Correctness was not the pervasive, ubiquitous and all-encompassing phenomenon that it is today.
I don't think the music is anywhere near as good as some of his other songs but I love the words. So true, yet unappreciated today. The words of a true warrior!
I think Ray is really pushing his luck with this song it does not leave much to the imagination...he almost put his foot in it on "Water Music" live...on youtube...describing one of his songs about washing clothes in a river...
Musically this is actually one of O'Sullivan's strongest songs - in this particular vein it may even be superior to "Get Down".
The reason it gets a lot of stick is because of the lyrics, which were controversial even at the time of its release, let alone in these insanely politically-correct times.
The lyric is actually more ambiguous and complex than the chorus hook might suggest, taken purely at face value. After all Gilbert sings "I'm all for a woman who can make it on her own..."
No, I remember the controversy it aroused even at the time of its release (I was there!). You're right - at the time Gilbert's was the mainstream view among ordinary people (and it's quite likely that it still is). But the view of the emerging liberal elites was already very different, and since by definition elites are powerful and influential, this is where Gilbert ran into trouble. It's a great song, but I've never heard him perform it at any of his gigs.
I loved Gilbert O'Sullivan from his first song onward - until he came out with this! He ceased to exist the moment I heard it. His career was already waning a bit at the time, so it was stupid to put out this misogynistic, patronising number and alienate a good many of his female fans. I still love his earlier stuff - and I still hate this one!!!
As I've already said, O'Sullivan was courting controversy with this song even at the time of its release.
That said, I don't think the lyric should be taken completely at face value. I think the real implication is not that women should just stay at home, and never have careers or go to work; it is simply that they are nice - essential even - to have about the house!
This basic misunderstanding must have put a lot of women off this otherwise excellent song by a master songwriter.
If a woman wrote a song about how they believe that a man's 'place' is to work & to be the sole provider, how many men would take issue. I suspect that the vast majority of men with a work ethic would be extremely proud of their position in the family, & to feel that he is important & respected in his role. 100 years ago, this was the position in many mining towns, & the men worshipped & adored their wives for providing comfort & hot meals on his return. Once, we depended upon each others role.
hiyadroogs 2 months ago
@hiyadroogs Lighten up! it's a song of the times.
waldenhouse 1 month ago
what a great song he is the woelds best song-writer in my opinion
Gusdocs1 4 months ago
Many of GOS' songs are fashioned around a catchphrase & I don't think this one's any different. I met my wife when this was released and it was a favourite of mine then but no way would we have stayed together if I believed in it, I don't think he believed in it either. Going by the look on his face @ 0:42, I'd say it was a tongue-in-cheek song, as suggested by Trexcookingfat.
kanakaken 5 months ago
When women played the home role, the man was the bread winner, families had only one income & the matriarchal mother figure made sure the kids were brought up correctly, showed others respect & were attended to in a well kept home. Now we live in an era where materialist values supersede family values. Both parents out to work, kids eat ready meals and get up to what they like with little guidance to the point some thought it OK to riot. 'Old fashioned' values - maybe there's something in them?
pompeytheriddle 6 months ago 2
"Would women no longer be used the way they seem to think they're being?" It's political incorrectness gone mad.
Like2012 6 months ago
Yet again the man is misunderstood.
His neighbour is a wumman. She lives on her own and she's a bit dotty. She misplaced her fried fish dinner. Gilbert was attempting to help her locate her missing repast. Through the medium of song.
NattyNatful 6 months ago
usually songwriter's are more vague in lyric meaning's, but this song's lyric's are very direct. I don't know how you can turn, an inconsiderate lyric into a considerate one.Just by explaining and defending it. The song just hit's you straight between the eye's!!!
opendtuning 6 months ago
Gilbert O'Sullivan (God luv him) is never going to win any awards for Political Correctness - if the lyrics of this track from 1974 are anything to go by, that is.
But wth ..... I don't think - for one moment - that he is going to lose any sleep over that.
Political Correctness is a very over-rated virtue, in any case (IMHO).
TheEctomorph 6 months ago
As I said in my previous comments on this 'You Tube' page, I believe that Gilbert O'Sullivan is a very decent guy - his somewhat old-fashioned and chauvinistic views about a woman's "place" in society, notwithstanding.
Mr O'Sullivan is, by all accounts, one of the genuinely nice, caring people in the pop/rock music industry. That industry is, without doubt, a cut-throat one, and contains many individuals who are ruthless, greedy and lacking in morality and integrity.
TheEctomorph 6 months ago
I have always considered myself to be a bit of a chauvinist. That said, I do understand why many women have "issues" (to use the currently fashionable, 'PC' term) with this song, and its lyrical content.
I would say, however, that the fact - if indeed it is a fact - that Gilbert O'S. has somewhat old-fashioned and chauvinistic views about a woman's "place" in society, does not make him a bad person. From what I have read - and heard - about him, Mr O'Sullivan is a very decent guy.
TheEctomorph 6 months ago
A fine song, but it was only a minor hit (I think it reached no. 41 in the UK charts, back in the late summer/early autumn of 1974).
If G.O'S. had written and released this song in the year 2004 - not 1974 - it would probably have engendered a considerable amount of controversy, and might even have been 'banned' by a number of major radio stations. But in those days of 37 years ago, Political Correctness was not the pervasive, ubiquitous and all-encompassing phenomenon that it is today.
TheEctomorph 6 months ago
yeah... bitch...get back to the kitchen
TheCapricornStrand 6 months ago
Definitely don't understand that bit about Rocky Marciano's nose.
xwsftassell 7 months ago
pure genius
Gusdocs1 8 months ago
I'm all for freedom of speech, but... This is really condescending. It's our planet too, you know!
Bethywethy6 9 months ago
@Bethywethy6 WELL SAID
MsRuth02 6 months ago
People are taking this song too seriously... It's his personal opinion, backed up with reasons. "I'm all for a woman
Who can make it on her own
But I believe" He also goes on to show that if a woman strives she cana achieve "Wonder what would have happened
Had a woman flattened
Rocky Marciano's nose
Would there have been
A change of views
Would women no longer be used"
nigelo92 9 months ago
Is this a serious song...? As in, it's in the charts and people paid to endorse this song with a music video etc...?! o.0
ThePinkishGizmo 10 months ago
That's English people for you, to clap politely at the end of something like this.
PrettyLarryK 11 months ago
this much better than that sampling shit he is a genius
Gusdocs1 11 months ago
massive sexist dickhead. and thanks for ruining sampling culture for everyone as well. dickhead.
tomdissonance 1 year ago
Doesn't look like he's actually singing - more like he's miming to a pre-recorded version. Lazy bastard.
AirWaterLandBuffalo 1 year ago
Wow. What an incredibly condescending song. People have been shot for less...
Fionncaoil 1 year ago 3
I think the music is great very catchy I love it
Gusdocs1 1 year ago
I don't think the music is anywhere near as good as some of his other songs but I love the words. So true, yet unappreciated today. The words of a true warrior!
334286 1 year ago
Why is this song so upbeat and why does no one boo him?
kombatmaster7 1 year ago 6
gilbert prerforming in front of an audience of 500 in which all the women want to beat him to death.
known12 1 year ago
I think Ray is really pushing his luck with this song it does not leave much to the imagination...he almost put his foot in it on "Water Music" live...on youtube...describing one of his songs about washing clothes in a river...
opendtuning 1 year ago
OMG what a pile of crap!!! So sad when so many of his other songs are fantastic.
spookyboo22 2 years ago
Musically this is actually one of O'Sullivan's strongest songs - in this particular vein it may even be superior to "Get Down".
The reason it gets a lot of stick is because of the lyrics, which were controversial even at the time of its release, let alone in these insanely politically-correct times.
The lyric is actually more ambiguous and complex than the chorus hook might suggest, taken purely at face value. After all Gilbert sings "I'm all for a woman who can make it on her own..."
JekyllBoote 2 years ago
@JekyllBoote
I don't really think Gilbert O'sullivan was being particularly contraversial at all here.
You have to remember this song is from the early 1970's.
At the time probably 99% of men and 90% of women believed a woman's place WAS in the home so he was merely endorsing a mainstream view.
6PBP6 1 year ago
@6PBP6
No, I remember the controversy it aroused even at the time of its release (I was there!). You're right - at the time Gilbert's was the mainstream view among ordinary people (and it's quite likely that it still is). But the view of the emerging liberal elites was already very different, and since by definition elites are powerful and influential, this is where Gilbert ran into trouble. It's a great song, but I've never heard him perform it at any of his gigs.
evajom1 1 year ago
I loved Gilbert O'Sullivan from his first song onward - until he came out with this! He ceased to exist the moment I heard it. His career was already waning a bit at the time, so it was stupid to put out this misogynistic, patronising number and alienate a good many of his female fans. I still love his earlier stuff - and I still hate this one!!!
Pamfino2 2 years ago
As I've already said, O'Sullivan was courting controversy with this song even at the time of its release.
That said, I don't think the lyric should be taken completely at face value. I think the real implication is not that women should just stay at home, and never have careers or go to work; it is simply that they are nice - essential even - to have about the house!
This basic misunderstanding must have put a lot of women off this otherwise excellent song by a master songwriter.
JekyllBoote 2 years ago
Good video!!!
Waverley7 2 years ago
thanks so much - a rare one and long overdue on youtube !
mohawk388 2 years ago
Jesus! I've never seen that one!!!!
Thanks a lot FRITZ!
RAYalized 2 years ago