Burt Bacharach died yesterday and I have fond…oh-so-fond memories of his music from my childhood. My dad was a big fan and especially adored the collaboration between “BB” and Dionne Warwick, “I’ll Say a Little Prayer for You”. I remember my dad humming – loud, happy humming — if the song came on while he was driving or if he was puttering in the garage.
As a big guy, a former athlete, who stood 6’4” tall, “ISALPFY” seemed an unlikely choice, but dad grooved to it, singing along as a back-up singer/dancer for Dionne. Boisterous finger tapping on the steering wheel if he was driving and if he was in the garage, any nearby tool – wrench, rake, hammer – became a boisterous, rhythmic instrument. Air guitar is a thing. Does that make what he did “air horn”? No, no – that’s something else 😊. But you get the idea. Not familiar with the song? Take a listen here.
This morning I heard a compilation of Burt’s music while I was in the car en route to an appointment and heard something far less appealing…a lesser-known tune sung by Jack Jones called “Wives and Lovers”. Now…I get it. Burt wrote the song in 1963 and from what I read (when I had a chance to do a little research) BB composed the tune for a movie of the same name, “Wives and Lovers” which was about infidelity. I’d never heard of the film, or the song, prior to this morning and I think my life has been better for it. Whew! I know 1963 was long ago…six decades…but the lyrics? They made me ill. Here’s a snippet, courtesy of Lyrics.com:
Hey! Little girl
Comb your hair, fix your makeup
Soon he will open the door
Don’t think because there’s a ring on your finger
You needn’t try anymore
For wives should always be lovers too
Run to his arms the moment he comes home to you
I’m warning you
Day after day
There are girls at the office
And men will always be men
Don’t send him off with your hair still in curlers
You may not see him again
He’s almost here
Hey! Little girl
Better wear something pretty
Something you’d wear to go to the city and
Dim all the lights, pour the wine, start the music
Time to get ready for love
As I listened, I was appalled. Mouth open, stunned. I’m the girl who enjoys some of the throwback, vintage stories culled from magazines, books and newspapers, coaching gals about how to be ‘fetching’ for a man, circa generations gone by. I’ve found them to be humorous…time capsules into the lives of my mother, grandmothers, aunts, sisters everywhere. But…the “I’m warning you” and you “may not see him again” lyrics gave me waves of nausea. Creativity and freedom of expression? All good – but I felt flummoxed. Why oh why was this sorrowful, misogynistic tune included in a ‘best of’ playlist showcasing compelling works from Burt Bacharach? Ick. Just ick.
I’m not expecting an answer. The rest of my day today was fab – truly productive and enjoyable – but it started off with a frown and for reasons I can’t quite identify, I felt I needed to share. With you. And phew! I feel better.
Happy Weekend!
Vicki 😊
Victoria Ponders 
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