Vaudeville was a form of comedic theatre in the thirties and forties that was structured around exaggerating differences to make them look funny. Race was often poked fun at (minstrel shows with blackface came from this) as was religion, people with disabilities, and even personality qwerks. Things that were thought to be ugly or make people stand out were exaggerated and turned into a centerpiece rather then something you politely try to ignore. It was about showcasing and glamorizing ugliness, sort of saying 'this is me and I'm proud and fuck you if you think differently'. This relates to the song in that Manson is saying 'Yeah, I'm a womanizer and a drug addict, I'm decadent and it's a part of me and if you think that's bad then whatever' ('this isn't a show; this is my fucking life \ I'm not ashamed, you're entertained \ but I'm not a puppet; I am a grenade')
Vaudeville was a form of comedic theatre in the thirties and forties that was structured around exaggerating differences to make them look funny. Race was often poked fun at (minstrel shows with blackface came from this) as was religion, people with disabilities, and even personality qwerks. Things that were thought to be ugly or make people stand out were exaggerated and turned into a centerpiece rather then something you politely try to ignore. It was about showcasing and glamorizing ugliness, sort of saying 'this is me and I'm proud and fuck you if you think differently'. This relates to the song in that Manson is saying 'Yeah, I'm a womanizer and a drug addict, I'm decadent and it's a part of me and if you think that's bad then whatever' ('this isn't a show; this is my fucking life \ I'm not ashamed, you're entertained \ but I'm not a puppet; I am a grenade')
Thank you, Mr. Murdock. Unlike a few others here, I did know how to spell "vaudeville," but you provided some insight that I was missing.
Thank you, Mr. Murdock. Unlike a few others here, I did know how to spell "vaudeville," but you provided some insight that I was missing.