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| re: Query about Shipoopi | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 07:38 pm EST 02/12/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Query about Shipoopi - keikekaze 06:55 pm EST 02/12/22 | |
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| ...and most people even in 1957 knew damned well that it was "toxic" (although nobody in 1957 would have used that word in that sense). They knew it was "wrong"--but the character who sings it doesn't know it, and that's the comic point. He is merely stating what he thinks--correctly or not--"the Rules" were in Iowa in 1912. And one of the many things I particularly like about that comic lyric is the rhyming juxtaposition of the very blunt "hussy" with the suddenly prissy and indirect "anything but fussy." Frankly, I think even you are way overanalyzing the song. The way I've always heard the song, it's exactly that - just a diegetic song - that we have to surmise has probably been around for a good while before July 4, 1912. Marcellus is merely the one leading it, he's not making it up, or "stating what he thinks" about "1912 Iowa rules." Much like we're supposed to understand that "Lida Rose" and "It's You" and "Sincere" are old songs that everyone in 1912 would have known, and that all of a sudden the School Board can't resist harmonizing on. (Willson was quite smart to juxtapose those made-up songs he wrote with real ones like the Minuet In G and Rustles of Spring and Columbia, The Gem Of The Ocean to give it all a real-life context.) Also - in that same regard, "Shipoopi" is and always was a bawdy song. It was meant to be that in the context of 1912 let alone in 1957 or 2022. For the youngsters who are mostly the ones dancing, it's a chance to challenge their elders -- just as in the myriad of current (and hysterically funny) Youtube videos that show teens playing "WAP" for their parents. And for the older characters singing the song, it s an equal chance to let it all out and be a little naughty too. If it worked that way in Willson's sorta-fictionalized 1912 River City, it should still have a similar level of shock value in 2022. And that's why changing the lyrics was just a stupid thing to do. |
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| re: Query about Shipoopi | |
| Posted by: keikekaze 10:51 pm EST 02/13/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Query about Shipoopi - Chromolume 07:38 pm EST 02/12/22 | |
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| Frankly, I think even you are way overanalyzing the song. For that matter, so do I! ; ) And I had forgotten that "Shipoopi" is really a diegetic song rather than a book song for Marcellus. My bad--but it makes the attempt to bowdlerize it just that much more ridiculous. |
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| re: Query about Shipoopi | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 10:29 pm EST 02/13/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Query about Shipoopi - Chromolume 07:38 pm EST 02/12/22 | |
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| But what is the bawdiness and sense of shocking fun that this song about avoiding girls who are “easy” but also making sure to sneak a secret squeeze is meant to convey? “WAP” is a song about female empowerment through radical sexual ownership. “Shipoopi” is really the complete opposite, a song about shaming women who put out while placing the onus for physical exploration on the man who acts without consent. A new lyric more in line with “WAP” might have fulfilled this original purpose to be bawdy without importing the misogyny of 1957 (an era not known for its respect of female autonomy and empowerment) for us to all tap our feet to. |
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| re: Great post, Chromolume! | |
| Posted by: Guillaume 05:26 pm EST 02/13/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Query about Shipoopi - Chromolume 07:38 pm EST 02/12/22 | |
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| totally agree! | |
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| re: Query about Shipoopi | |
| Posted by: garyd 10:09 pm EST 02/12/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Query about Shipoopi - Chromolume 07:38 pm EST 02/12/22 | |
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| Of course it is a bawdy song. It is a fun song. I seriously doubt Tommy Djilas would suggest Marcellus sing it if it were not. I also seriously doubt he would suggest Marcellus sing this revised nonsense. (then again, it has a good beat and you can dance to it:) ) | |
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| re: Query about Shipoopi - Like a new 1930s film Production Code for GOOBOs | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 11:26 am EST 02/15/22 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 11:16 am EST 02/15/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Query about Shipoopi - garyd 10:09 pm EST 02/12/22 | |
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| They might as well censor the "I was drunk last night, dear Mother", that little Tootie sings in the movie "Meet Me In St. Louis" for similar reasons. "Shipoopi" is meant to be bawdy, fun and suggestive. Another case of the new production being afraid of the GOOBOs (those getting off on being offended). Almost like a new updated Production Code from 1930s movies is somehow censoring classic works. | |
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