Slit Skirts Lyrics
This is a phenomenal song, and I'm surprised there's only 1 comment, but I digress. Solo Pete seems almost depressed and sometimes confused, perhaps his sexuality at times. I read that he had a difficult childhood, and recently there were allegations of child pornogrophy charges that were dropped thankfully. Anyway, this is a powerful song about someone who doesn't love him as much as before, or has grown tired of him and the lyrics are scathing. Finally, my favorite part is the guitar fade at the end of the song.
@Flyersfan Great comment. The guitar solo and fade out at the end has always blown me away. Thanks for noticing.
@Flyersfan Great comment. The guitar solo and fade out at the end has always blown me away. Thanks for noticing.
@Flyersfan beautifully summarized and I agree-this is a phenomenal song.
@Flyersfan beautifully summarized and I agree-this is a phenomenal song.
This, like the songs "Empty Glass" and "Another Tricky Day" are brilliant pieces from his painful spin-out period of 1978-1981 when he was deeply in debt and losing everything with drinking and drugs. He was starting to endure separation from his wife Karen (named "Jeannie" here), and feeling very alone. Though he was well on his way to cleaning up his life upon this album's release, the song was written during a very bottomed out period, and very fascinating and sad at the same time. I love Pete for his honesty in songwriting, and this is a shining example.
I recognize most of the general references in this song, but one has me puzzled: does anyone know what he means by "men not fit for marriage took their refuge in the oil"?
The line about refuge in the oil is an allusion to masturbation, baby oil..well, you get it...I know...but Townshend has made such references in the past (Pictures of Lilly, from The Who),
The line about refuge in the oil is an allusion to masturbation, baby oil..well, you get it...I know...but Townshend has made such references in the past (Pictures of Lilly, from The Who),
To become a roughneck on an oil rig in the North Sea.
To become a roughneck on an oil rig in the North Sea.
My own interpretation is that men who are not fit subjects for marriage take their refuge in the oil of Holy Orders, the rite through which men become priests... I've known so many priests, brothers, ministers who were simply unfit as marriage partners.
My own interpretation is that men who are not fit subjects for marriage take their refuge in the oil of Holy Orders, the rite through which men become priests... I've known so many priests, brothers, ministers who were simply unfit as marriage partners.
I do acknowledge both of the previous interpretations as potentially sound, though.
I do acknowledge both of the previous interpretations as potentially sound, though.
Cheers!
Cheers!
This song is SO terrible, but I still love it at the same time! It's about a guy's girlfriend who's getting tired of him!
My favorite song from Chinese Eyes. This song has two hooks and is a great example of song structure to anyone in Music Theory.
Oddly enough this song is not about his wife Karen. In La Jolla I think, he talks to the crowd and says he wasn't even awake during the period of Chinese Eyes but was then prepared (c. 2001) to own a few lines!!
IMHO, Slit Skirts is a metaphor for Karen’s (Pete's estranged wife) unhappiness with their marriage and relationship as it was affected by Pete constantly working and creating in his studio (burning the midnight oil), and not being fully available as a husband and father. Going into the relationship, she knew who he was; their first date was an early Who performance at a club. But that life ultimately turned out not to be what she wanted or thought it would be. Thus, she didn’t wear that “slit skirt.” And Pete was always Pete, doing what he was meant to do. And Pete didn’t wear ripped shirts as that would indicate his being less than who he was/is.
@DebboraghS Nope. In his interview he shared how jealous she became of his love for music. After the joy of marriage faded she grew bitter of his passion for creativity and art, a talent she didn't possess.
@DebboraghS Nope. In his interview he shared how jealous she became of his love for music. After the joy of marriage faded she grew bitter of his passion for creativity and art, a talent she didn't possess.