Klarinet Archive - Posting 001322.txt from 1998/07

From: "Mark Charette" <charette@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] Swearing
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 19:24:59 -0400

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>

>At 01:17 PM 7/29/98 -0700, Kevin Fay wrote:
>>Racy lyrics are nothing new. In opera, it's not such a big deal because
(a)
>>for most singers, who can tell what the words are anyway and (b) even if
you
>>could, they are likely in a different language. Someone posted to the
list
>>a while back the origins of the works "jazz," "boogie-woogie,"
"jelly-roll"
>>etc.; rap is truly nothing new.
>>
>Ah, but the subtle difference is that someone has to EXPLAIN these terms.
>Euphemism is by definition "the use of a less direct word or phrase for one
>considered offensive." Nobody bothers to consider whether it is offensive
>anymore. These guys may well have the right to spew whatever words and
>concepts they wish under the protection of "free speech," but I reserve the
>right to tell them to shove it "where the sun don't shine" (to use a
>euphemism.

Waaaay back when, when I played in a rock band, we did a lot of songs from
the band "10 Years After" (Alvin Lee could shred!). The titles were awfully
risqué if not obscene 30 years back, too. The lyrics were worse - and I knew
every word by heart since I had to sing 'em.

The Eric Clapton tune "Cocaine", glorifying drug use, was the most requested
tune when I played C&W bars outside of Seattle in the late 70s to mid 80s.
Of course, we did it (the song) in style :^)

Go figure.
----
Mark Charette@-----.org
Webmaster, http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet
All-around good guy and devil-may-care flying fool.
"There can be no freedom without discipline." - Nadia Boulanger

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