I can understand the idea of rent boys because of some parts of the song. However, if this song is about rent boys, how to explain "Words mean so little, and money less, when you're lying next to me"?
This sentence concerns "the two of us". So both people do not care about money during these moments. If one of them is a rent boy, especially at such moments it is the money that is important.
That does not fit....
I know I'm answering this two years late, but if you're like me I check into this site about three or four times per year. So maybe you'll find my answer eventually ; ).
I know I'm answering this two years late, but if you're like me I check into this site about three or four times per year. So maybe you'll find my answer eventually ; ).
I have always considered that the real irony of the song (if that's the proper usage of irony) is that the rentboy does indeed love the man who pays his rent . . . who also may be married, with family.
I have always considered that the real irony of the song (if that's the proper usage of irony) is that the rentboy does indeed love the man who pays his rent . . . who also may be married, with family.
Note that the song doesn't say explicitly "I love you BECAUSE you pay my rent." It simply says, "I love you. You pay my rent." The two aren't necessarily related, just a statement of fact.
I've just always interpreted that the rent boy tries to convince himself it's just about money, but I imagine it takes an emotional toll. I don't know for sure, but I can't imagine you could build your life (however shaky it may be) around someone whom you have no feelings for, even if they paid you to.
So I see this lines as being the one time the rent boy "breaks the mask" and admits there is something more going on. He feels more than he would like to admit.
@jayceeNL money means nothing for the rentboy because he just won't have it. It's just stuff his 'benefactor' gives him, whatever he wants. So money means nothing as in, it doesn't matter how expensive is what he wants, he will get it eventually, as the other part can afford such things just to maintain his love. But this could apply to any kind of relationship.
@jayceeNL money means nothing for the rentboy because he just won't have it. It's just stuff his 'benefactor' gives him, whatever he wants. So money means nothing as in, it doesn't matter how expensive is what he wants, he will get it eventually, as the other part can afford such things just to maintain his love. But this could apply to any kind of relationship.
@jadyee Neil Tennant has actually explained what the song is about. The third paragraph of whitewolfbc’s reply here pretty much nails it. The “I love you” and “you pay my rent” are parallel to each other, not consequent. The younger, kept lover does indeed care for her (or his) benefactor but at the same time they’ve given up whatever plans they had for making their own way in the world in exchange for an easy life. It’s kind of beautiful and sad at the same time.
@jadyee Neil Tennant has actually explained what the song is about. The third paragraph of whitewolfbc’s reply here pretty much nails it. The “I love you” and “you pay my rent” are parallel to each other, not consequent. The younger, kept lover does indeed care for her (or his) benefactor but at the same time they’ve given up whatever plans they had for making their own way in the world in exchange for an easy life. It’s kind of beautiful and sad at the same time.
I can understand the idea of rent boys because of some parts of the song. However, if this song is about rent boys, how to explain "Words mean so little, and money less, when you're lying next to me"?
This sentence concerns "the two of us". So both people do not care about money during these moments. If one of them is a rent boy, especially at such moments it is the money that is important. That does not fit....
I know I'm answering this two years late, but if you're like me I check into this site about three or four times per year. So maybe you'll find my answer eventually ; ).
I know I'm answering this two years late, but if you're like me I check into this site about three or four times per year. So maybe you'll find my answer eventually ; ).
I have always considered that the real irony of the song (if that's the proper usage of irony) is that the rentboy does indeed love the man who pays his rent . . . who also may be married, with family.
I have always considered that the real irony of the song (if that's the proper usage of irony) is that the rentboy does indeed love the man who pays his rent . . . who also may be married, with family.
Note that the song doesn't say explicitly "I love you BECAUSE you pay my rent." It simply says, "I love you. You pay my rent." The two aren't necessarily related, just a statement of fact.
I've just always interpreted that the rent boy tries to convince himself it's just about money, but I imagine it takes an emotional toll. I don't know for sure, but I can't imagine you could build your life (however shaky it may be) around someone whom you have no feelings for, even if they paid you to.
So I see this lines as being the one time the rent boy "breaks the mask" and admits there is something more going on. He feels more than he would like to admit.
@jayceeNL money means nothing for the rentboy because he just won't have it. It's just stuff his 'benefactor' gives him, whatever he wants. So money means nothing as in, it doesn't matter how expensive is what he wants, he will get it eventually, as the other part can afford such things just to maintain his love. But this could apply to any kind of relationship.
@jayceeNL money means nothing for the rentboy because he just won't have it. It's just stuff his 'benefactor' gives him, whatever he wants. So money means nothing as in, it doesn't matter how expensive is what he wants, he will get it eventually, as the other part can afford such things just to maintain his love. But this could apply to any kind of relationship.
@jadyee Neil Tennant has actually explained what the song is about. The third paragraph of whitewolfbc’s reply here pretty much nails it. The “I love you” and “you pay my rent” are parallel to each other, not consequent. The younger, kept lover does indeed care for her (or his) benefactor but at the same time they’ve given up whatever plans they had for making their own way in the world in exchange for an easy life. It’s kind of beautiful and sad at the same time.
@jadyee Neil Tennant has actually explained what the song is about. The third paragraph of whitewolfbc’s reply here pretty much nails it. The “I love you” and “you pay my rent” are parallel to each other, not consequent. The younger, kept lover does indeed care for her (or his) benefactor but at the same time they’ve given up whatever plans they had for making their own way in the world in exchange for an easy life. It’s kind of beautiful and sad at the same time.