:: An alternate interpretation of the lyrics to "My Boyfriend's Back" by The Angels ::

Friday, March 18, 2005

While the ostensible premise of "My Boyfriend's Back" is the chivalrous restoration of an unfairly slandered reputation, one possible alternate take is far more insidious: that of a transgressor so desperate for undeserved redemption that she resorts to self-delusional and extortionary tactics.

Taken literally, The Angels' 1963 hit is the simple ditty of a girl, wronged by the vicious rumors of a spurned suitor, gloating over the return of her legitimate beaux with a purpose twofold: to restore her sullied social status and deliver punishment to the aforementioned suitor, as a result of whose alleged mendacity her status has been diminished. This interpretation rests entirely on the supposition of the singer's being wholly truthful - when this assumption is questioned, the established meaning of the song quickly erodes.

Why question the intent behind the lyrics? Why should we assume anything other than the most honest and upstanding of intentions? In short, she doth protest too much. The tone of the lyrics is replete with exactly the kind of childish intimidation rendered unnecessary by the mature rationality of confidence. Instead of attacking the supposed liar's morality or expressing remorse at his apparent self-debasement, she demonstrates a single-minded and manic obsession with inspiring fear of physical harm by flinging minacious playground insults. The only respite the listener is given from the onslaught of bodily threats comes in the form of platitudes so bald in their hunger to be self-assuring ("Now he's back and things'll be fine", "he knows I wasn't cheatin'!") that one cannot help but wonder exactly whom she aims to convince - her accuser, the audience, or herself. We hear in her voice the same quivering plea echoed by countless Jerry Springer guests - it is an act; a ruse all at once very public and intensely private, derived from the dire need to exculpate oneself to all parties, and at all costs.

I assert that the singer of "My Boyfriend's Back" is not exempt from blame. What improprieties transpired I do not know - it may have been a single sexual indiscretion, or even a full-fledged romance - but her flimsy words belie a much more lurid subtext, one in which she is unable to reconcile her past actions with her current desire for comfort and respect. This "Saturday night / Sunday morning" personality schism is untenable and will ultimately result in her mental and social demise. Furthermore, it is proof that all women are harlots (too far?).

Posted by morland @ 01:09 PM

:: Comments ::

I thought the Angels were commissioned by Cuba to write this song to play during their surprise cold war attack, but due to the accidental unveiling of their plans, they just went ahead and released it a year later without the proper communist context and left the deep meaning as an exercise to the listener.

Posted by: jexe on March 22, 2005 03:41 PM

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