Songs About Gender Issues

[PixieBoy]

Take a walk on the wild side, by Lou Reed.

Lady Godiva, by Velvet Underground.

Candy Says, by Velvet Underground.

Boys, by Bauhaus (could be about a crossdresser or a ->-bleeped-<-, I'm not quite sure).

[Arch]

"Dude Looks Like a Lady," by Aerosmith.
"Somebody Told Me," by The Killers.
And what was that song by The Who that somebody posted a few months ago?

I always thought "A Boy Named Sue" was amusing because it ends with some remark that he's going to name his kid George. The first time I heard that song, Boy George was still pretty popular.

[Nathan.]

And what was that song by The Who that somebody posted a few months ago?

[Arch]

There ya go. Thanks, Nathan.

[glendagladwitch]

I don't know if this one is about gender issues or not.  What do you think?

[Between Names]

Born in the Wrong Body, by Danielle Ate the Sandwich

She's also done a guitar version. I love this girl; she's awesome.

[MillieB]

Listening to it again, I'm not sure that this one would go down to well here but I think that if you know The Vandals, they are not the type of group to be transphobic but they do have a very silly sense of humour.

[Pippa]

Hokey Pokey by Linda and Richard Thompson ("The boys down the alley with their heels and their make up they know just what to do")

Woman or a Man by Richard Thompson (an alternative 'Lola')

A quick rummage through my CD collection and I could probably come up with a few more!

[Shana A]

Born in the Wrong Body, by Danielle Ate the Sandwich

She's also done a guitar version. I love this girl; she's awesome.

Thanks for posting, that's a cool song!

Z

[Lacey Lynne]

Okay, old-timers (Janet Lynn ... who beat me to the punch on this one!, Rejennyrated, Colleen Ireland), remember these guys?



The Time:  About 1977-1978 or thereabouts.  The Place:  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.   The Event:  The Kinks, Live & In Concert.

And, of course, the vignette:  My number-one hippie pal and I are cruising about town in yet another cannabis-beclouded phantasmagoria.  Out of the clear blue sky, he turns to me and says:  "Hey, man, The Kinks are in town.  Let's check 'em out!"  Of course, I hemmed and hawed and basically begged-off doing that.  Wasn't up for concert chaos.  He said, "Bull->-bleeped-<-!  We're goin' to the concert!"  He was driving, so away we went.

Folks, Ray and Dave Davies and the rest of The Kinks came out done-up in their original mid-1960s, short-style haircuts and suits looking for all the world like the squarest nerds you ever saw ... like M.B.A. business geeks, or something.  Then, they opened the show with THIS song!  Un-f_____g-believable, mind-blowing, knock-out rendition of this song!!!"  They jammed the song and it was about 3 times as long as the recorded version.  They kicked a___ from here to The Promised Land and back!  The freakin' place went WILD!  Alllrrriiightttt!!!

One of the best memories of my lifetime!  Like, during this song, I'm silently dying a million deaths!  You all KNOW why!   

IMHO, this is the best gender-issues-related song of them all.   

@ Colleen Ireland:

The Kinks were not nearly as big-time as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, but they were big in the same time-frame.  It was pretty easy to miss out on them.  They did not get as much air-play as they deserved.

IMHO, here's the next-greatest gender-issues-related song of them all:



Boston's own Aerosmith!  Back in The Day, we used to call them "The Poor Man's Rolling Stones," but I liked the heck out of them.  If you are younger, you may not have heard and/or seen THIS song, but it still gets air-play here in the Great PNW.  Check out this video.  It's a real hoot!  I love it!  Man, like, crank ... it ... UP!  About a third of the way through, I can't help but jump up and get into some major air-guitar playing and riffing-out with Joe Perry on leads.  Hooo-haaa!!!

   Lacey

[Colleen Ireland]

I do remember the song, but only in a peripheral way, and never really knew the words.  THANKS!  We used to jam that song sometimes, but I think the Kinks were pretty much over by the time I was "into" music.  When I was young, there was the Beatles, Beach Boys, et al, and when I was older, there was Yes, Cat Stevens, Led Zep et al.  Kinda overlooked the Kinks...

[Lacey Lynne]

@ Maldita:

Mal!  That is so cool that you're into Lou Reed and into The Velvet Underground!  Alright!

That somebody your age even knows about them, let alone is into them, is way awesome.  They were hardly mainstream.  Did you like Nico, man?  She was hot back in The Day!  Ever listen to Robert Fripp and King Crimson?  Would not surprise me if you have! 

Dude, you know your stuff, man ... ROCK ON!   

[PixieBoy]

Yeah, LaceyLynne, awesome to meet another Velvet fan! I like Nico, she has a very unique, beautiful voice. She always looked so sad in pictures.

I also like early Pink Floyd. Set the controls for the heart of the sun...

Nico and Siouxsie Sioux have somewhat similar voices, the kind of "deep", slightly "strange" voices. They also look "strange", both very beautiful, ice queens, untouchable ladies.

I got into Bauhaus, Velvet Underground, discovered girls and sex, and started feeling my body was alien at about the same time. Being 12 was craaaaaazy, a crazy time, the bad stuff was awful but the good stuff was great!

[Nygeel]

I'm going with The Killers....

Mr. Brightside seems like the "he" and "she" in the song are the same person.
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his-chest
Now, he takes off her dress
Now, letting me go

I know it's probably not what the song is about but it works for me. There's also Somebody Told Me
Well somebody told me
You had a boyfriend
Who looked like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential
I've got potential

[Cruelladeville]

Not a lot beats this one for me....



And at the time if I heard it.... I always knew what my fate would be! 

[Lacey Lynne]

Not a lot beats this one for me....



And at the time if I heard it.... I always knew what my fate would be! 

@ Cruelladeville:

Hon, I kid you NOT ..., as I type this, guess which song is on the radio, Charlie 97.1 FM, in Portland, Oregon?  You guessed it ... Hell, yeah!

Are you ready to see the REAL characters this song is about?  Can you pick them OUT?  Where's LOU REED in here? 



This is majorly rare and historic footage.  The sound level, of course, tends to be somewhat low, so you may have to turn it up to enjoy the song.  Again, this is real footage of the real characters at the real place this song is about.

@ The Moderators:

Gals, bear with me on this, please.  Yes, this video is edgy.  Yes, this song is edgy.  Yes, this is truly historic.  Hence, kindly forebear me this "walk on the wild side" by way of my posting this video just this one time. 

Thanks!

@ Cruella:

Of course, you love THIS song.  I know I do!  This IS, arguably, THE greatest gender-related-issues song of them all.  That can RIGHTLY be said.   Also, please understand that I'm not doing "one-upmanship" by reposting this song here.  These are the actual characters in the actual place the song is about.  That's the only reason I posted this vid.  Some folks might like to actually see them.  I agree with you that this song is like no other.  It really is.  Finally, music is my all-consuming and jihad-like passion!!!  Can't get enough!

   Lacey

Postscript:  Hon, I'm glad you always knew what your fate would be.  I never dreamed this would be me.  I always knew something was wrong, way wrong, but never knew what until I underwent gender counseling.   Sigh, ...     Estrogen makes me feel SOOO good, and ... BREASTS!!!

[Cruelladeville]

Darlin....you've read me so well... (and I apologise to all else wandering off topic)

I'm a 1970's art school grad Lacey....so Andrew Warhola I know all about...and the 'friends' at the factory....lol 

I am/was a fan of his one cam single set-up art house movies....

So yep, I dare say I do recognise a fair few of the protagonist in the clip, and yep it was great to see a YouTube clip of the usual suspects...

Candy D allegedly dies too young of cancer due to her notoriously excssive high does hormone regime....

The Biography written about Andy about 18months post his death is a fascinating read....

But for me one of the greatest songs ever still is this one.....

[Lacey Lynne]

@ Cruella:

Perfect Day!  Oh, my God, hell YES!  Agreed that it's totally amazing!

You know, I envy (in a good way) you a thing or two.  First, that you are in Britain.  Sure, it has it's issues.  Every place does; however, I think it's amazing in so many ways.  Second, you are an art school grad of the 1970s.  We're the same age, moreorless, and I'd SO go to ART school if I had to do it over again.  Teachers in junior high and high school were pushing me in that direction.  Third, and finally, you've just finished up on your GRS/SRS.                Envy, envy, envy!!!

A very good friend of mine on here has mentioned how cool it would be to go to England.  I must agree.  Merry Olde England would have her, but I don't think they'd want me.  Well, I can just visit her.   My best to you always, Cruella!       Lacey

You "ain't gonna believe it," hon:   Andy Warhol is from my hometown.  No lie.  Small world.

[Rayalisse]

How about "Somebody Told Me" by The Killers



(Edit - sorry Nygeel, didn't see your post above.  you get credit )

[Cruelladeville]

Nice clip Raya...

And let's not forget ole Madge...