The song certainly uses child abuse imagery, but it also fits in with the "breaks just like a little girl" tradition of identifying a woman as a child when the songwriter really means she is immature or trapped under someone else's control. I think the "children know no shame" line is supposed to apply to the "Mystery Man" of the song's title; here's a guy who is desperate to control his wife ("she's legally yours when she shares your name"), but doesn't know the first thing about maintaining a relationship. The wife, on the other hand, is happy to play along until someone new comes around.
@RogerRyan Lou revealed that this is directed towards a guy who "stole" his girlfriend when he was on tour (the possessive perspective here comes from his admitted immaturity at the time). So the lyrics are directed to him, but lyrics refer to her at times as well. There is a lot of disdain behind the lyrics, but still well done. This same breakup was the inspiration for the lyrics of several of his songs during this period.
@RogerRyan Lou revealed that this is directed towards a guy who "stole" his girlfriend when he was on tour (the possessive perspective here comes from his admitted immaturity at the time). So the lyrics are directed to him, but lyrics refer to her at times as well. There is a lot of disdain behind the lyrics, but still well done. This same breakup was the inspiration for the lyrics of several of his songs during this period.
The song certainly uses child abuse imagery, but it also fits in with the "breaks just like a little girl" tradition of identifying a woman as a child when the songwriter really means she is immature or trapped under someone else's control. I think the "children know no shame" line is supposed to apply to the "Mystery Man" of the song's title; here's a guy who is desperate to control his wife ("she's legally yours when she shares your name"), but doesn't know the first thing about maintaining a relationship. The wife, on the other hand, is happy to play along until someone new comes around.
@RogerRyan Lou revealed that this is directed towards a guy who "stole" his girlfriend when he was on tour (the possessive perspective here comes from his admitted immaturity at the time). So the lyrics are directed to him, but lyrics refer to her at times as well. There is a lot of disdain behind the lyrics, but still well done. This same breakup was the inspiration for the lyrics of several of his songs during this period.
@RogerRyan Lou revealed that this is directed towards a guy who "stole" his girlfriend when he was on tour (the possessive perspective here comes from his admitted immaturity at the time). So the lyrics are directed to him, but lyrics refer to her at times as well. There is a lot of disdain behind the lyrics, but still well done. This same breakup was the inspiration for the lyrics of several of his songs during this period.