2 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Video
Brenda's New Stepfather Lyrics
Here comes Charlie all bustle and jokes and tight as an Italian's pants
What I drifted lazily 'round the other on the next big chance
You're old-fashioned with a sense of humour
Me a large-hearted divorcée
Hey little sweetheart I'm your daddy no matter what the bloodline say
I'd be careful who I send letters
Staring at the retail tray
Maybe you think some skinny white boy's gonna keep you pretty and paid
Waiting for the fire and the midnight hour
Listening to the soft turning at your latch
Hey little hotpants I'm your daddy
No matter how hard you scratch
Coming through the desert on a horse caught dry
Coming round this county wide
And I seen your kind sagging like a chrome-puff
Dempty had 25
It's a mighty rub for your inch burn
I heard the bridges been down all year
Hey little rainbird I'm your daddy 'til you find a way outta here
What I drifted lazily 'round the other on the next big chance
You're old-fashioned with a sense of humour
Me a large-hearted divorcée
Hey little sweetheart I'm your daddy no matter what the bloodline say
Staring at the retail tray
Maybe you think some skinny white boy's gonna keep you pretty and paid
Waiting for the fire and the midnight hour
Listening to the soft turning at your latch
Hey little hotpants I'm your daddy
No matter how hard you scratch
Coming round this county wide
And I seen your kind sagging like a chrome-puff
Dempty had 25
It's a mighty rub for your inch burn
I heard the bridges been down all year
Hey little rainbird I'm your daddy 'til you find a way outta here
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
Hm, I don’t agree with the previous interpretation.
I believe the song is about an abuser (”Brenda’s new stepfather”) trying to take advantage of, and threatening Brenda. ”Tight as an italian’s pants” means he’s drunk. It’s a very dark tale set to an irresistable jazzy New Orleans-style beat.
I think Fulks presents a character who reflects on relationships with a mix of humor and cynicism. The line "Here comes Charlie all bustle and jokes and tight as an Italian's pants" seems to describe someone who may appear confident but is also tense or constrained. The reference to "Italian's pants" might suggest an image of confidence, yet with an underlying restraint.
When he sings, "I'm your daddy no matter what the bloodline say," I believe Fulks is emphasizing the idea of chosen relationships over biological ties, claiming a fatherly role even without a genetic connection.
The line "keep you pretty and paid" stands out to me, reflecting the transactional nature of relationships based on looks and financial security. I also notice some misheard lyrics in the song, like "chrome puff" that could potentially be "crumpled" or "chrome bluff." The lyrics reveal a resigned, cynical view of shallow connections.