A fluffy entry about music and my youth

[gordonzola]

While listening to my iTunes on shuffle, I was reminded of how many songs I misinterpreted before I was acquainted with English slang. Partly because my obsession with English music was in my pre-early teen years I made up explanations that really, in the end, made no sense at all.

For example, The Specials "Too Much too Young", a pro-contraception song, had the mysterious ending lyrics of "Keep a generation gap / Try wearing a cap!" I know those English winters were cold, but was wearing, as I imagined, a wool hat actually going to keep people from having sex? Was there a big problem of people just fucking to keep warm? The adult world was so mysterious.

That it was referring to cervical caps, contraception not available in the States at that time, made it extra obscure. Now it’s more of a quaint look back at the pre-AIDS world.

The classic English-ism, misinterpreted by generations of political punks was, of course, the end of "Anarchy in the UK". Hearing "Get pissed! Destroy!" as an American was a call to arms. Understand who is oppressing you and rise up against them! Get angry at this fucked-up society and take action!

It was disheartening to discover the message of Get drunk! Break stuff! later in life.

Anyone else have some to share? Misinterpretations, not mis-hearings.

Comments

[chitinous.livejournal.com]

Actually, I believe that cap = condom. The French call them "une capote anglaise," meaning "English hat" and I can't remember if the courtesy extends the other way across the Channel. Or Chunnel. As it were.

[gordonzola.livejournal.com]

that was my second interpretation after I realized the hat thing was wrong. But Brits told me cervical cap not condoms. I could still be wrong, I'd admit it. it's not my slang.

[gordonzola.livejournal.com]

oh yeah, plus the song is directed at the woman because birth control is obviously 100% her responsibility as she's the one who's done "too much too young".

[chitinous.livejournal.com]

A-ha. I stand (or sit) corrected.

A UK resident speaks

[andypop.livejournal.com]

No, it doesn't mean condom.