X-Ray Spex – Oh Bondage Up Yours!

• +2
  General Comment:This is a feminist song about being sick of being how you're meant to be, as a girl, tied to a future you didn't choose, and the masochistic role you are meant to play as a slave to your husband, your family, and society's expectations. Sick of being open to scrutiny by others, who make sure you are performing as you should be, as anyone who has a duty to society and a duty to behave a certain way feels. You want to do what they demand, to be accepted, but for a woman this means to 'be seen and not heard', so she screams this in the mostly gratingly and feminine way she can, throwing back those standards in a bid for freedom and turning that girly voice into something else more uncomfortable and intruding, and thus liberating.

  Flag Devolveron August 06, 2009   Link

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• 0
  General Comment:I agree with asstronaut et. al. that this song is primarily about consumerism... But I would take it a step further and say it specificly refers to consumerism within the punk scene and the punk "uniform" of bondage pants and spikes etc. By the late 70's, merchandisers had begun to capitalize on the punk phenomenon (Malcolm McLaren & Vivienne Westwood, anyone?) and you could go into some stores and purchase ripped shirts, collars, and (of course) bondage pants.

  Flag infamous branmuffinon April 12, 2008   Link

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• +1
  General Comment:Whatever it means, the line "some people think little girls should be seen and not heard" is clear. Feminism. It reminds me of Bikini Kill, not as raw as BK, but the sax gives X-RS a magic touch. The lyrics are sarcastic, of course.

  Flag Drum_Headon March 17, 2007   Link

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• 0
  General Comment:i love the way Poly starts out at the very start of this song talking n them she yells " Oh! Bondage Up Yours!"

  Flag punkrockariotchikon February 01, 2006   Link

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• +1
  General Comment:The last two comments are the only right ones.
  Why do you think Marion Elliot renamed herself Poly Styrene?
  It was to say to everyone; "Consuming has created me, do you like the product?"

  Flag feedyourheadon January 17, 2006   Link

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• +1
  General Comment:I'm one hundred percent with asstronaut. X Ray Spex have spoke out on the meaning of this song and, (yes surprisingly), it's not about bondage in sex. It's about bondage by society, and being bonded into roles, stereotypes, etc. etc.

  Flag T3kn0kUnton December 30, 2005   Link

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• 0
  General Comment:I think this song has surprisingly little to do with sex and may be best explicated by a quote from Poly Styrene herself: "We live in a consumer society, and if you don't consume, it consumes you."

  Flag asstronauton October 05, 2005   Link

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• 0
  General Comment:Sorry JeffKaos71 but it's hard to read people's sarcasm on the internet. Are you happy now?

  Flag have2mintson August 13, 2005   Link

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• 0
  General Comment:Have2mints - you have no idea what the meaning of sarcasm is.

  Flag JeffKaos71on April 07, 2005   Link

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• 0
  General Comment:Exactly, have2mints.
  And it's a pretty kick-ass song, too.

  Flag Airycaon December 19, 2004   Link

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