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Dum Dum Girl Lyrics
Dum the dum dum girl
The dum dum girl the dum dum girl
Another sigh with no regret
More coins inside her hands
One time to own respect
Now mercenary she stands
I'm no boy
Stealing pennies from the poor
Break it down
Can't you see she's
Dum the dum dum girl
The dum dum girl the dum dum girl
Another hand upon her hair
Time probably erased distaste
And so she's left
Where guilt is out of place
I'm no boy
Stealing pennies from the poor
Break it down
Can't you see she's
Dum the dum dum girl
The dum dum girl the dum dum girl
The dum dum girl the dum dum girl
More coins inside her hands
One time to own respect
Now mercenary she stands
Stealing pennies from the poor
Break it down
Can't you see she's
Dum the dum dum girl
The dum dum girl the dum dum girl
Time probably erased distaste
And so she's left
Where guilt is out of place
Stealing pennies from the poor
Break it down
Can't you see she's
Dum the dum dum girl
The dum dum girl the dum dum girl
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I see this one as being about prostitution, about a prostitute trying to convince herself that her calling is honorable: "I'm no boy stealing pennies from the poor." Good song, especially the flute lick when Hollis is singing "dum, the dum dum girl," etc.
@owennnnnnnnnn That makes sense to me. Sort of how I saw it... not even so much as convincing herself it is honorable, but learning to turn herself off emotionally in the process of surviving.
@owennnnnnnnnn That makes sense to me. Sort of how I saw it... not even so much as convincing herself it is honorable, but learning to turn herself off emotionally in the process of surviving.
Is it worth considering that "dum dum" only means "stupid" in American English? There are other meanings in British English, one being a hollow point bullet that expands upon impact, to cause more damage. And a "dummy" in Brit-English is a pacifier (as in a dummy nipple/fake nipple), which would make sense in terms of the prostitute analogy: she's a fake lover/substitute for a "real" girl. Just a few thoughts. The band was English after all.
Of course "dum dum" is also frequently used in lyrics in the same way "la la" is used, as a sound filler... The use of "the" before the refrain seems to belie that intent here however.
@mindy11234 Sorry, meant to mention that "dummy" as in "pacifier" is frequently changed to "dumdum" in the vernacular. So, "pacifier' would be a more common British meaning than "stupid person." Especially in the '80s when there wasn't as much slang crossover. I think I've got to go with that interpretation, as it fits the lyrics. Calling a prostitute "stupid" would just be cruel and I've got to believe that a lyricist as socially plugged-in (or "woke" as the kids say today) as Mark Hollis would have a more sympathetic take on the circumstances that might lead a...
@mindy11234 Sorry, meant to mention that "dummy" as in "pacifier" is frequently changed to "dumdum" in the vernacular. So, "pacifier' would be a more common British meaning than "stupid person." Especially in the '80s when there wasn't as much slang crossover. I think I've got to go with that interpretation, as it fits the lyrics. Calling a prostitute "stupid" would just be cruel and I've got to believe that a lyricist as socially plugged-in (or "woke" as the kids say today) as Mark Hollis would have a more sympathetic take on the circumstances that might lead a girl (or bloke) to take up such a profession.
Angels swiped this song and told the story of the dum dum girl who sighs without regret. The coins she holds are the wealth of insight but insight doesn’t always pay the bills so she’s in search of respect and compensation for her work. An angel sings back to her that he’s no boy stealing pennies from the poor—despite appearances—but breaking it down doesn’t really tell her anything. Another hand upon her hair is yet another angel—hoping the dum dum girl isn’t as pissed off as she had been but so she’s left—standing around—guilty of nothing—but apparently having had her generosity taken advantage of—a dum dum girl.
The lyrics seem to be wrong