Literally, this is about a heterosexual white carnivorous male narrator who holds a career in high office or something, like a lawyer, wall street, MP or judge, but who has a fetish for S&M, and is worried that his outlet for his feelings (his fetish, which is the result of his upbringing in a somewhat totalitarian boarding school) will ruin his life if it were revealed to the public. He questions why he takes the risk of losing everything, including his heteronormative ideals such as his wife and career, but also his social recognition of a knighthood, in favour of his real desires/therapy of being disciplined.
Metaphorically, I think everyone can secretly relate to this, especially in an age where every fantasy is accessible over the internet. However, there is the more pressing issue of LGBTQ rights being contrary to glamourised celebrity 'public relations' in the public eye. Also, much as it happened after this song was written, the phone hacking scandal in the UK adds its own unintentional meaning to this song.
As the song is from the fetishist's point of view, and asserts the narrator's own disagreement with his actions, we can assume that the narrator is a sort of hero/antihero as far as the story goes if this were a novel of film. The lyrics focus on the narrator's attempts to explain himself; that he regrets doing it and knows the consequences, that he also thinks it's the only thing that makes him feel, and that he was perhaps abused at school. This love/hate relationship to his actions is akin to addiction.
The narrator's position in society can be assumed from the fact he feels he is in line for a knighthood, went to boarding school, travels a lot ('out of the station', he just got off a train, but seems used to doing this. 'And though the arcade' seems to suggest repetition, reinforcing that the narrator does the travelling and also this movement to the discreet fetish parlour often), and can afford this lifestyle (which is inferred from the narrator's unfamiliarity or discomfort with the location of the fetish club 'A quick glance around'). 'Innocuous London address' also suggests secretism and implyed anonymity, although identified to an extent through 'Regent's Parade' and 'London'.
The most improtant thing that can be taken from this song is that the narrator is unhappy with this secretism. He wants to be himself, but is aware of the public judgement that will be assumed of him if he 'comes out'. The song, and album, is called 'Bang Goes the Knighthood' which, although to the narrator is a risky consequence, I think Neil is saying it is the right thing to do.
I think that it is not only clear that the Neil thinks the narrator is miserable in his current state of restricted secrecy, but the whole album has a story of doing what you want and enjoying yourself. Some songs encourage liberalism, like this one, others encourage taking action, whilst being about visiting stately homes, 'Assume the Perpendicular' falls in here, some are about not being afraid of trying what you want, like 'Can You Stand Upon One Leg' etc etc.
Literally, this is about a heterosexual white carnivorous male narrator who holds a career in high office or something, like a lawyer, wall street, MP or judge, but who has a fetish for S&M, and is worried that his outlet for his feelings (his fetish, which is the result of his upbringing in a somewhat totalitarian boarding school) will ruin his life if it were revealed to the public. He questions why he takes the risk of losing everything, including his heteronormative ideals such as his wife and career, but also his social recognition of a knighthood, in favour of his real desires/therapy of being disciplined.
Metaphorically, I think everyone can secretly relate to this, especially in an age where every fantasy is accessible over the internet. However, there is the more pressing issue of LGBTQ rights being contrary to glamourised celebrity 'public relations' in the public eye. Also, much as it happened after this song was written, the phone hacking scandal in the UK adds its own unintentional meaning to this song.
As the song is from the fetishist's point of view, and asserts the narrator's own disagreement with his actions, we can assume that the narrator is a sort of hero/antihero as far as the story goes if this were a novel of film. The lyrics focus on the narrator's attempts to explain himself; that he regrets doing it and knows the consequences, that he also thinks it's the only thing that makes him feel, and that he was perhaps abused at school. This love/hate relationship to his actions is akin to addiction.
The narrator's position in society can be assumed from the fact he feels he is in line for a knighthood, went to boarding school, travels a lot ('out of the station', he just got off a train, but seems used to doing this. 'And though the arcade' seems to suggest repetition, reinforcing that the narrator does the travelling and also this movement to the discreet fetish parlour often), and can afford this lifestyle (which is inferred from the narrator's unfamiliarity or discomfort with the location of the fetish club 'A quick glance around'). 'Innocuous London address' also suggests secretism and implyed anonymity, although identified to an extent through 'Regent's Parade' and 'London'.
The most improtant thing that can be taken from this song is that the narrator is unhappy with this secretism. He wants to be himself, but is aware of the public judgement that will be assumed of him if he 'comes out'. The song, and album, is called 'Bang Goes the Knighthood' which, although to the narrator is a risky consequence, I think Neil is saying it is the right thing to do.
I think that it is not only clear that the Neil thinks the narrator is miserable in his current state of restricted secrecy, but the whole album has a story of doing what you want and enjoying yourself. Some songs encourage liberalism, like this one, others encourage taking action, whilst being about visiting stately homes, 'Assume the Perpendicular' falls in here, some are about not being afraid of trying what you want, like 'Can You Stand Upon One Leg' etc etc.