Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard
But I think "oh bondage, up yours!"
One-two-three-four!

Bind me, tie me, chain me to the wall
I wanna be a slave to you all

Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more
Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more

Chain-store chainsmoke, I consume you all
Chain-gang chainmail, I don't think at all

Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more
Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more

Thrash, me crush me, beat me till I fall
I wanna be a victim for you all

Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more
Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more

Bind me, tie me, chain me to the wall
I wanna be a slave to you all

Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more
Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more

Bind me, tie me, chain me to the wall
I wanna be a slave to you all

Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more
Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more

Oh bondage, up yours
Oh bondage, no more!


Lyrics submitted by x_melancholy_x

Oh Bondage! Up Yours! Lyrics as written by Marian Elliott

Lyrics © T.R.O. INC.

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Oh Bondage Up Yours! song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    This is a feminist song about being sick of being how you're meant to be, as a girl, tied to a future you didn't choose, and the masochistic role you are meant to play as a slave to your husband, your family, and society's expectations. Sick of being open to scrutiny by others, who make sure you are performing as you should be, as anyone who has a duty to society and a duty to behave a certain way feels. You want to do what they demand, to be accepted, but for a woman this means to 'be seen and not heard', so she screams this in the mostly gratingly and feminine way she can, throwing back those standards in a bid for freedom and turning that girly voice into something else more uncomfortable and intruding, and thus liberating.

    Devolveron August 06, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I'm one hundred percent with asstronaut. X Ray Spex have spoke out on the meaning of this song and, (yes surprisingly), it's not about bondage in sex. It's about bondage by society, and being bonded into roles, stereotypes, etc. etc.

    T3kn0kUnton December 30, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    The last two comments are the only right ones. Why do you think Marion Elliot renamed herself Poly Styrene? It was to say to everyone; "Consuming has created me, do you like the product?"

    feedyourheadon January 17, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I agree with asstronaut et. al. that this song is primarily about consumerism... But I would take it a step further and say it specificly refers to consumerism within the punk scene and the punk "uniform" of bondage pants and spikes etc. By the late 70's, merchandisers had begun to capitalize on the punk phenomenon (Malcolm McLaren & Vivienne Westwood, anyone?) and you could go into some stores and purchase ripped shirts, collars, and (of course) bondage pants.

    infamous branmuffinon April 13, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    what a sweet song.

    NewFoundGetUpKid0on June 29, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Exactly, have2mints. And it's a pretty kick-ass song, too.

    Airycaon December 19, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think this song has surprisingly little to do with sex and may be best explicated by a quote from Poly Styrene herself: "We live in a consumer society, and if you don't consume, it consumes you."

    asstronauton October 05, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Whatever it means, the line "some people think little girls should be seen and not heard" is clear. Feminism. It reminds me of Bikini Kill, not as raw as BK, but the sax gives X-RS a magic touch. The lyrics are sarcastic, of course.

    Drum_Headon March 17, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The sax solo sounds like a third chair elementary school student in band practice. Pretty cool

    Zoltaron September 24, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Wow, you guys completely missed the meaning of the song. This song eagerly steam rolls over the idea of women being treated like sex objects. It's sarcastic of course.

    have2mintson December 19, 2004   Link

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