I feel like I'm late to the party! In a similar vein, I feel like this song addresses the idea of the perfect middle-class family during the 50's and 60's. During those times, threats like the Korean War and conflict with Russia and Cuba were on an all time high, and communist sleeper agents were a constant fear of American citizens. It was around this time that the idea of the perfect white middle-class family came to fruition. It was a way for the public to worry about pettier things than war or nuclear weapons. "Little Suzy on the X show just tracked mud into the house!" Shows like "The Brady Bunch" and "I Love Lucy" were loved by all for their portrayal of the average American home. But, as we all know, that wasn't the case. St. Vincent is trying to tell us that it's not always the best thing to employ "out of sight, out of mind" tactics like this, and it can actually have major issues if what's out of sight acts when it's out of mind. The chorus is my favorite part of this song, painting the image that everyone except the narrator is brainwashed into believing that everything will be alright as long as you don't think about it.
I feel like I'm late to the party! In a similar vein, I feel like this song addresses the idea of the perfect middle-class family during the 50's and 60's. During those times, threats like the Korean War and conflict with Russia and Cuba were on an all time high, and communist sleeper agents were a constant fear of American citizens. It was around this time that the idea of the perfect white middle-class family came to fruition. It was a way for the public to worry about pettier things than war or nuclear weapons. "Little Suzy on the X show just tracked mud into the house!" Shows like "The Brady Bunch" and "I Love Lucy" were loved by all for their portrayal of the average American home. But, as we all know, that wasn't the case. St. Vincent is trying to tell us that it's not always the best thing to employ "out of sight, out of mind" tactics like this, and it can actually have major issues if what's out of sight acts when it's out of mind. The chorus is my favorite part of this song, painting the image that everyone except the narrator is brainwashed into believing that everything will be alright as long as you don't think about it.