This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Hello you straight-laced lady,
Dressed in white but your shoes aren't clean.
Painted them up with polish
In the hope we can't see where you've been.
The smiling face that you've worn
To greet me rising at morning --
Sent me out to work for my score.
Please me and say what it's for.
Give me the straight-laced promise
And not the pathetic lie.
Tie me down with your ribbons
And sulk when I ask you why.
Your Sunday paper voice cries
Demanding truths I deny.
The bitter-sweet kiss you pretended
Is offered, our affair mended.
Sossity: You're a woman.
Society: You're a woman.
All of the tears you're wasting
Are for yourself and not for me.
It's sad to know you're aging
Sadder still to admit I'm free.
Your immature physical toy has grown,
Too young to enjoy at last your straight-laced agreement:
Woman, you were too old for me.
Sossity: You're a woman.
Society: You're a woman.
Dressed in white but your shoes aren't clean.
Painted them up with polish
In the hope we can't see where you've been.
The smiling face that you've worn
To greet me rising at morning --
Sent me out to work for my score.
Please me and say what it's for.
Give me the straight-laced promise
And not the pathetic lie.
Tie me down with your ribbons
And sulk when I ask you why.
Your Sunday paper voice cries
Demanding truths I deny.
The bitter-sweet kiss you pretended
Is offered, our affair mended.
Sossity: You're a woman.
Society: You're a woman.
All of the tears you're wasting
Are for yourself and not for me.
It's sad to know you're aging
Sadder still to admit I'm free.
Your immature physical toy has grown,
Too young to enjoy at last your straight-laced agreement:
Woman, you were too old for me.
Sossity: You're a woman.
Society: You're a woman.
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
It's not really about a woman at all, he's damning Society with this song. He's saying that the whole of Society is a messed up old bitch that clings to him and tries to control him, and just pointlessly restricts him. He says Society is too old for him. He's pretty much right. Individuals when alone are hopeless and terrified. But when they band together as a mob or a Society, they become a scary monster. Or maybe just a nasty old witch. Anyways, we all need to be part of Society, but secretly none of us like it. Ian just walks away from it, he finds it useless.
Sossity is a play on word of society. Tull's guitarist Martin Barre made thought the same mistake, and m bought a boat and named it Sossity. After Ian told Barre him the actual meaning, he sold the boat!
Makes me think of Hamlet's screed, "Frailty, thy name is woman. What a contrast of tone and sense of the nature of femaile comanion to that of Inside. Is Sossity a common name or nickname in Great Britain?
In the 2013 reissue of Benefit, Ian Anderson wrote in the liner notes: "This obviously is written as a double-meaning where I'm notionally talking about an imaginary girl in frankly a rather thin and embarrassing pun... I suppose what I was referring to was a view of rather affluent if not upper class society, and I suppose a bit of disdain that I might have felt for people who would display wealth and authority without having earned it. I mean, I'm a leftie at heart...