According to Lily Allen's latest hit '22', if a female reaches 29 and hasn't yet found the man of her dreams to define her, 'society says her life is already over'.You can download this cheerful ditty (full lyrics below) as a ringtone too.
Personally, as a female slightly over 29 who never tried the romantic tactic of piling it high to sell it cheap (aka did the one-night stand thing), but who still never got whisked off to a castle in the air by a straight Prince Charming before her 29-year shelf life elapsed, I'm just off to jump off a cliff...
Ms Allen is 24 years old (only another 5 years to go then. Shame really. Think how much more evolved her lyrics might have had to become as a thirtysomething.)
I know... miaow! But what is life without a little celeb-baiting? Hare coursing is now banned.
When she was 22 the future looked bright
But she's nearly 30 now and she's out every night
I see that look in her face she's got that look in her eye
She's thinking how did I get here and wondering why
It's sad but it's true how society says
Her life is already over
There's nothing to do and there's nothing to say
Til the man of her dreams comes along picks her up and puts her over his shoulder
It seems so unlikely in this day and age
She's got an alright job but it's not a career
Wherever she thinks about it, it brings her to tears
Cause all she wants is a boyfriend
She gets one-night stands
She's thinking how did I get here
I'm doing all that I can
It's sad but it's true how society says
Her life is already over
There's nothing to do and there's nothing to say
Til the man of her dreams comes along picks her up and puts her over his shoulder
It seems so unlikely in this day and age
It's sad but it's true how society says
Her life is already over
There's nothing to do and there's nothing to say
Til the man of her dreams comes along picks her up and puts her over his shoulder
It seems so unlikely in this day and age
[Copyright Lily Allen. Lyrics from www.songlyrics.com]
13 comments:
This will be the same Lily Allen who has just said that she's finally happy because her new boyfriend tells her that she is "beautiful" and that "he says my butt is fabulous and that's all I need”. Oh, and that they're going to buy a big house in the countryside together. Bless.
Um, I think we can write off the idea of her as a feminist icon then. Ho ho.
Isn't Ms Allen slating society for this opinion rather than extolling it herself? Mind you, does society have this opinion? I don't. My friends don't. I can't think of anyone who does. But then there is, of course, society and Society. I'm part of the former but haven't a hope of eating the crumbs from the table of the latter.
Thank God.
Well the new boyfriend had better not get too cosy.
Ms Allen jokes (?) in interviews that she dumps them whenever she needs some angst for a new song!
It reminds me of a more knowing lyric from Blur.
"Sex on the TV,
Everybody's at it,
The mind gets dirty,
As you get closer...
To Thirty"
I'd be no good to any woman who wanted picking up and putting over my shoulder. Not with my back.
Ah, she's just young and has much yet to learn in life. I often find myself thinking that these days when I hear young people say such stupid things. And I hope the things I said when I was their age were not so stupid. :)
It truly scares me if she wasn't singing this tongue in cheek.
Crikey!
I was slung over a big man's shoulder and look where it got me....
Post-post-feminist angst....
XO
WWW
It's still a catchy wee song tho isn't it? I consider it tongue in cheek, and it made for a great discussion point with my 2 daughters!
This stuff tends to pass me by as I don't listen to music radio (except Ollie on Rocket Fm and that's only 4 hours a year) and I ignore all celebs
Only the young part of society think that you're on the shelf at 29. Personally, I think you're on the shelf if you haven't found the man of your dreams by the age of 99...
I am always telling my daughter that she must ensure she is at least 35 before she contemplates marriage and that I will lock her in a cupboard if she starts to look at wedding brochures before then.
I am never sure if I like this track or not - it is kind of catchy but I do find Lily Allen's voice rather irritating if I hear if too often.
Betty, my, that is what you'd call 'easily pleased'!
Steve, I believe that it's her own perception that this is how society is. Don't think it's been her best-selling hit somehow though. Wouldn't interest the teen market, or any female over 25 who hasn't yet got their man.
Jenn I heard that too - in fact it's inspired by latest poem about a poet who follows suit! Or rather who dumps suit!
Dan,I think most people are sex-obssessed these days, possibly for most of their lives. Or at least that's what the media would have us believe.
Oh dear Rol, so a dame could wait a long time for proof of your devotion then!
Teeni, well obviously we were all much more profound than Lily Allen at her age. Just didn't get the breaks to share our wisdom with the rest of the world!
WWW - if I had Lily Allen's phone number I would pass it on. I think she needs to hear from you!
Sagittarian - glad to have been of service! I presume your daughters'lives aren't over yet then (aka over 29?).
At least you're not part of what 'Society says' then Urko. Good for you! Yes I enjoyed Oliver's radio shows too and hope he gets offered some more in future.
Nota Bene - bless your cotton socks! You are an officer and a gent (and evidently a real man, not of the shallow variety Ms Allen evidently hangs out with.)
RB. Very wise. I definitely think females should focus on establishing themselves before looking to settle down, though obviously if the right man (or woman) should come along, then love is far more important than materialism. However if one doesn't find love, at least a decent home and job offer some consolation.
That's not so bad..back in my day she would have learned the truth at 17 from Janis Ian;
I learned the truth at seventeen
That love was meant for beauty queens
And high school girls with clear skinned smiles
Who married young and then retired.
The valentines I never knew
The Friday night charades of youth
Were spent on one more beautiful
At seventeen I learned the truth.
And those of us with ravaged faces
Lacking in the social graces
Desperately remained at home
Inventing lovers on the phone
Who called to say come dance with me
and murmured vague obscenities
It isn't all it seems
At seventeen.
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