Cat Power – Nude as the News

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  General Comment:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…

  Flag CitizenScornon March 08, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:Well, BnSwiss, what is your interpretation of the song? Care to take a gamble with the meaning of it? Confusing song, but fascinating. I would guess that "nude as the news" is that his ways are exposed. I can only guess that he's attracted to others ("tempted") when he has someone in his life, and that at times he wonders if she could be doing the same wrongs. Jessee is a public man (supposedly a leader) but he's a liar who cannot hide what he does.

  Flag MaryMaryQuiteContraryon August 05, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:cat power is awesome but your "interpretations" of this make me cringe

  Flag BnSwisson May 07, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:lol you people are stupid haha

  Flag BnSwisson May 07, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:Following the confirmation that it's about her abortions, I think the other lyrics in the song are about a controlling male figure who is against her actions.
  
  'And I saw your hand
  With a loose grip
  On a tight ship'
  
  Someone who has a desire to control but is incompetent of doing so, maybe an alcoholic partner or father...

  Flag pollutedmindon September 16, 2010   Link

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    i thought that stanza was clearly about the fetus.. the flame gun being the "plan b", abortion.
    then it says "there's a big man leading US into temptation", so it would make sense the other half of "us" is her baby, and actually the "big man" is her partner. and though he's the big and powerful one, when it comes to her body it's her decision, that's why the roles are reversed.
    
    I always thought she said "Jackson, just see" or "Jackson, ya' see", it makes more sense actually.

    Flag girlgettingbittereron September 17, 2010  
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  General Comment:um, i think there's a vital typo in these lyrics. i believe the chorus goes "Jackson, JUST SEE, i've got a son in me", which would make sense if you think about it. i agree with all the ideas that it's a song about prejudice against abortion, however i don't think jesse jackson is what cat power is discussing in this song.

  Flag nickado6on March 06, 2010   Link

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    Great song. Chan rules. But point of clarification. Patti has two children - Jackson her son and Jesse her daughter - not two sons.

    Flag gonepieon August 07, 2010  

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    it IS "JUST SEE", you can hear it clearly on live videos and if you read her lips.

    Flag girlgettingbittereron September 18, 2010  
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  General Comment:thank you lauramaej ... i knew i heard this song in winter passing. maybe i was just questioning myself haha... awesome song though. the kind of song that puts you in a trance. very repetitive but she has a way of taking something so minimal and making it really powerful.

  Flag metalkprettyon February 17, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:I knew it had something to do with Patti Smith.
  The second time i heard it i related the son thing with the names Jesse and Jackson and i was like "hey wait, aren't those Patti's sons names?"
  I thought i t was actually about Patti giving birth to them and being a mother yet still being this famous punk musician.
  I had no idea it had to do with Chan Marshall getting an abortion though.

  Flag monkeykillzbananaon August 09, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:There's a great interview. She tells about her abortion and of course about the song :)
  
  findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1285/is_7_37/ai_n20525074/…

  Flag Xmas Cakeon January 21, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:it said this week in the new yorker that she wrote it about an abortion she had and the names Jackson and Jesse were significant because those are the names of Patti Smith's sons. here's the link: newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2007/12/10/…

  Flag lost_in_twlighton December 03, 2007   Link

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