Forget F-words and N-words -- Liz Phair and The G-Man are bringing C-words to the mainstream.
Previously unthinkable "C-words" are appearing in songs from pop to electronica, and while we can't print them in mainstream newspapers or use them on radio, we can tell you that the C-word in Liz Phair's "H.W.C" rhymes with "sum" and the C-word in The G-Man's "***t is in the Dictionary (With a Picture of You)" rhymes with "bunt."
(PRWEB) May 24, 2004 --In these very conservative, right-wing, phony-moralistic times, some artists are not tempering their lyrics to suit the "suits." The song called "H.W.C." on Liz Phair's new self-titled album is being quoted and discussed coast-to-coast for its content as well as its use of one of "the C-words."
Even such a bastion of freedom as HBO wouldn't say the entire title of the song. When Phair appeared recently on "On the Record," host Bob Costas only used the first word of the title, "Hot." Since the next word is "White," no one is sure why Mr. Costas stopped short after the first word. Considering the language on HBO's "The Sopranos," no one understands Costas' self-censorship at all.
Phair has always been controversial with her lyrics, having used such terms as "b**wjob queen" and "f*** and run" as long ago as the early nineteen nineties. "H.W.C." is about a substance that is the result of a sexual encounter with a male, and the bodily fluid is referred to as a "secret beauty routine." Another line in the song has Phair singing, "My skin's getting clear, my hair's so bright." Some are interpreting the song as saying sex helps you look better, while others maintain the song is talking about the result of using the fluid as a skin cream and hair conditioner.
As a spokesperson for openness among young and mid-aged women (Phair is 37), the singer is currently featured on the www.nerve.com site giving sexual advice in a calm and evenhanded manner.
The G-Man's use of another C-word may be quite calm, but it is hardly evenhanded. His song from 2003's ELECTRO BOP album entitled "***t is in the Dictionary (With a Picture of You)" is a slow alt-rock tune, quite different from his electronic-pop dance or goth songs that have been called like "Moby meets Devo." Lyrically, "***t is in the Dictionary" is rueful recitation of the character failings of an un-named subject.
"Some people have speculated that the song is about a former lover," states Scott G, who records as The G-Man for Delvian Records. "Actually, I wrote it to describe Kenneth Lay, Dennis Kozlowski, and all the people like them at such fatally flawed institutions as Enron, Tyco, WorldCom, Global Crossing, Adelphia, Arthur Andersen, the U.S. Congress, the Florida legislature, the Supreme Court, and on and on and on."
Has the use of controversial language helped or hurt these artists? "Both," states G. "Retailers don't want to have to deal with braindead types like Tipper Gore or freaks like Pat Robertson complaining about the content of ELECTRO BOP, so that keeps the album out of some stores. But the media attention helps online sales at iTunes, Amazon, and Gatemedia.com, which is a plus."
Scott G, when recording under the name The G-Man, is the creator of the new genre of beat-oriented music called Grin Groove. All three of his albums are on iTunes and through Delvian Records. He is also the owner of G-Man Music and Radical Radio in Los Angeles where he creates radio commercials and music for film, TV and games.
For more information or a review copy of ELECTRO BOP, please contact:
The Gate Media Group
6921 Stockton Ave.
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Phone: 510-558-9045
Fax: 510-558-9504
E-mail: sales@gatemedia.com
Additional URLs:
http://www.gmanmusic.com
http://www.delvianrecords.com
http://www.gatemedia.com
http://www.apple.com/itunes
http://www.capitolrecords.com
###
|
