Where's the "Blue Letter" controversy? [Archive]

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Jyqm

01-18-2006, 02:44 PM

"Blue Letter" was always a popular inclusion in Fleetwood Mac's live setlists throughout the 70s and early 80s, and the song was even released as the B-side of "Warm Ways" in the UK in 1975, so I have to wonder why there has never been any press addressing the blatant racist overtones of this up-tempo tale of a man who no longer wants to wait around for his beloved to dump her Italian boyfriend and run away with him. The ethnic slur sung in the chorus is quite prominent, but it seems that no activist groups ever cared enough to protest Lindsey's assertion that "when your dago's down, I won't be waitin' around for you" (presumably because he refuses to sleep with a woman who has been "tainted" by Italian love juice).

Anyone have any theories on this? Were people simply less inclined to pay heed to such derogatory remarks in the 70s? With so many Italians rising to prominence in the entertainment industry at this time - Martin Scorcese, John Travolta, etc. - it just seems like someone ought to have been offended.

Brwn_eyes0511

01-18-2006, 02:47 PM

:lol:

Everyone who is reading this thread now...please head over to my "Over My Head" thread...:)

SteveMacD

01-18-2006, 03:03 PM

It's almost as bad as Hendrix coming out of the closet as a homosexual fairly early in his career when he he sang "'xcuse me while I kiss this guy."

chiliD

01-18-2006, 04:21 PM

Well, we WERE clued in to Stevie Nicks' pending weight control problem as early as 1977...

...is it over now? Do you know how to pick up the pizzas and go home?..."

HomerMcvie

01-18-2006, 04:25 PM

Whoa! Someone's got too much time on their hands.:cool:

aleuzzi

01-18-2006, 06:36 PM

Well, we WERE clued in to Stevie Nicks' pending weight control problem as early as 1977...

...is it over now? Do you know how to pick up the pizzas and go home?..."

Oh my god, this is the funniest freakin' thing I've seen in a while. Kinda' reminds me of Lucy Lawless's "Burrito Dreams" on SNL. One of my friends is given to parodies of "Silver Springs" using food references. I'll have to share this with him.

DavidMn

01-18-2006, 06:42 PM

It's almost as bad as Hendrix coming out of the closet as a homosexual fairly early in his career when he he sang "'xcuse me while I kiss this guy."Dont laugh. I fell for that for too long.:lol:

DavidMn

01-18-2006, 06:43 PM

Well, we WERE clued in to Stevie Nicks' pending weight control problem as early as 1977...

...is it over now? Do you know how to pick up the pizzas and go home?..."Dominoe's or Pizza Hut?:cool:

GODDESS6

01-18-2006, 08:33 PM

this whole damn thread is hysterical!!!:lol: :nod: :lol: ~

Angelick Witch

01-19-2006, 11:42 AM

... Well, I'm getting pretty confused... The only thing I understood was the pizzas!

SteveMacD

01-19-2006, 12:25 PM

Brwn_eyes0511

01-19-2006, 12:26 PM

Another thing that came to mind is how confused I get whenever I hear Manfred Mann's "Blinded By The Light." Can somebody please explain to me what "Revved up like a douche another runner in the night" means? Furthermore, how would he know?

GREAT question!

That song HAS to be one of the most hard to understand songs...in history!

HomerMcvie

01-19-2006, 01:15 PM

I always thought it was "wrapped up like a douche". What kind of kinky scene is he into?:rolleyes:
Ya know, the more I think about it, IF he says "Revved", I'll bet he's just mispronouncing "deuce", as in coupe.

Here's Bruce's original lyrics:"He was just blinded by the light
Cut loose like a deuce another runner in the night"
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/songs/BlindedByTheLight.html

Brwn_eyes0511

01-19-2006, 01:24 PM

I always thought it was "wrapped up like a douche". What kind of kinky scene is he into?:rolleyes:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Jyqm

01-19-2006, 01:40 PM

Another thing that came to mind is how confused I get whenever I hear Manfred Mann's "Blinded By The Light." Can somebody please explain to me what "Revved up like a douche another runner in the night" means? Furthermore, how would he know?

Has Manfred Mann ever gone on record as to why he made this lyric change or what earth he thought it meant? There are certainly plenty of songs in the Springsteen catalogue where it can be difficult to decipher what Bruce is singing, but "Blinded By The Light" ain't one of them. The line is very obviously "cut loose like a deuce;" Manfred Mann's change can't possibly just be a mistake.

Of course, that lyric isn't even close to the top of the list of why the Earth Band's "Blinded" sucks, but my hatred of that recording is pretty well documented, here and elsewhere.

Here's the original lyrics, if anyone's interested: http://www.brucespringsteen.net/songs/BlindedByTheLight.html (Edit: And David already beat me to it!)

mylittledemon

01-21-2006, 05:22 PM

but it seems that no activist groups ever cared enough to protest Lindsey's assertion that "when your dago's down, I won't be waitin' around for you" (presumably because he refuses to sleep with a woman who has been "tainted" by Italian love juice).

Anyone have any theories on this?.

Wow. I am baffled. Here all these years I thought he was saying "When your day goes down I won't be....waiting around for you"......I had no idea that "dago" was the lyric. Oh well. It's actually kinda humourous now. It almost gives it a Go Your Own Way quality. The bitter guy getting "dumped on" and he's jealous of "her" new beau. I doubt there was any intentional "racism" there either. Not only that, but Lindsey/Fleetwood Mac didn't even write the song.

Angelick Witch

01-21-2006, 05:58 PM

Wow. I am baffled. Here all these years I thought he was saying "When your day goes down I won't be....waiting around for you"......I had no idea that "dago" was the lyric.

I thought so too! In fact, I've never heard of the word "dago"

Miss Vicky

01-21-2006, 06:50 PM

I thought so too! In fact, I've never heard of the word "dago"

Please tell me that you aren't really taking this seriously.

Read the whole thread.

The lyric is "when your day goes down."

Jyqm is just f***ing with everyone.

HomerMcvie

01-21-2006, 07:39 PM

I have a friend who said, "look at that "dago-mobile". I'd never heard it either, and had to ask him to explain.:o

mylittledemon

01-21-2006, 10:16 PM

Please tell me that you aren't really taking this seriously.

Read the whole thread.

The lyric is "when your day goes down."

Jyqm is just f***ing with everyone.

Wow. I am baffled again. Dark has been my mind of late. I believed it for quite some time there. Normally I would've gotten up and opened up the LP or the CD case to check the lyrics. How unbelievably bizarre.

Lala

01-22-2006, 01:14 AM

http://tinypic.com/mbr24l.jpg
YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF WEIRDOS!

seeker007nmss

01-22-2006, 01:31 AM

http://tinypic.com/mbr24l.jpg
YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF WEIRDOS!

:lol: :lol: :lol: I love that muppet!

HomerMcvie

01-22-2006, 03:43 AM

http://tinypic.com/mbr24l.jpg
YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF WEIRDOS!
It takes one to know one!:blob1: :blob2:

SteveMacD

01-22-2006, 04:41 AM

http://tinypic.com/mbr24l.jpg
YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF WEIRDOS!
DAMN STRAIGHT!

Angelick Witch

01-22-2006, 06:53 AM

Please tell me that you aren't really taking this seriously.

Read the whole thread.

The lyric is "when your day goes down."

Jyqm is just f***ing with everyone.

I did think that, but I also have seriously never heard that word.

And Sam the American Eagle RULES! Except for Gonzo. Gonzo rules more!!

Miss Vicky

01-22-2006, 11:25 AM

I did think that, but I also have seriously never heard that word.

I'd only ever heard the word once before, in an episode of Black Adder, where Edmund is kidnapped and questioned by the Spanish Inquisition.

"Look, anyone stupid enough to let some moustachioed dago come up to them in a corridor, say 'Excuse me, Meester' and hit them over the head with a big stick deserves everything they get."

"No speako Dago. I damand to see the British Ambassador, understand?"

Apparently it can be used as a derogatory word for someone of either Spanish or Italian descent.

As for Muppets, I'm partial to Rizzo because, well, he's a rat.

Jyqm

01-22-2006, 12:26 PM

I'd only ever heard the word once before, in an episode of Black Adder, where Edmund is kidnapped and questioned by the Spanish Inquisition.

"Look, anyone stupid enough to let some moustachioed dago come up to them in a corridor, say 'Excuse me, Meester' and hit them over the head with a big stick deserves everything they get."

"No speako Dago. I damand to see the British Ambassador, understand?"

Apparently it can be used as a derogatory word for someone of either Spanish or Italian descent.

Believe it or not, the difference in usage is a continental thing.

In Britain, "dago" refers to someone of either Spanish or Portuguese heritage (hence the usage in reference to the Spanish Inquisition in Black Adder). It's a bastardization of the common Spanish name "Diego," and I think it stems from a time when the Brits considered all those swarthy Iberians to be no-good pirates.

In America, on the other hand, "dago" refers to an Italian immigrant. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a lot of fresh-off-the-boat Italian immigrants would ask to be paid "as the day goes" because they didn't trust their employers to pay them in full at the end of the week (probably rightfully so in a lot of cases), so the American usage stems from that. Like nigger and negro, dago was a fairly common term back then but has since come to be considered pretty offensive.

It's really never my intention to f*** with people, but it always seems to work out that way, doesn't it? Remember when everybody actually thought I was seriously suggesting that Stevie's lyrics were nothing more than cryptic summaries of Byron poems? Lordy.

On a completely unrelated note, a top-notch bridge has recently come into my possession. Unfortunately, I've got little use for it at present, so I've decided to sell it. Instead of just putting up on eBay and letting the general public bid away on it, though, I thought I'd give all you good folks here on the Ledge first crack at it. Anyone who's interested, just send me a PM and we'll work out the details. (It's a suspension bridge.)

Ghost_Tracker

01-23-2006, 01:05 AM

"

Anyone have any theories on this? Were people simply less inclined to pay heed to such derogatory remarks in the 70s? With so many Italians rising to prominence in the entertainment industry at this time - Martin Scorcese, John Travolta, etc. - it just seems like someone ought to have been offended.

I don't know too much about this, but is it possible that Lindsey was being satirical and so forth? In other words, that he meant it in a sarcastic, and not literal, way? He DOES get that way, after all; for example, in the "Soundstage" performance he mentioned that he considers "Peacekeeper" to be "sort of a satire."

Jyqm

01-23-2006, 04:24 AM

I don't know too much about this, but is it possible that Lindsey was being satirical and so forth? In other words, that he meant it in a sarcastic, and not literal, way? He DOES get that way, after all; for example, in the "Soundstage" performance he mentioned that he considers "Peacekeeper" to be "sort of a satire."

Nobody's PMed me about the bridge yet, if you want it.

Angelick Witch

01-23-2006, 11:57 AM

It's really never my intention to f*** with people, but it always seems to work out that way, doesn't it? Remember when everybody actually thought I was seriously suggesting that Stevie's lyrics were nothing more than cryptic summaries of Byron poems? Lordy.

On a completely unrelated note, a top-notch bridge has recently come into my possession. Unfortunately, I've got little use for it at present, so I've decided to sell it. Instead of just putting up on eBay and letting the general public bid away on it, though, I thought I'd give all you good folks here on the Ledge first crack at it. Anyone who's interested, just send me a PM and we'll work out the details. (It's a suspension bridge.)

I'm kinda getting the impression that you _do_ intend to f*** with people, you're just surprised when it works. Otherwise why say those things in the first place?!

... How much do you want for the bridge? And how big is it?

chiliD

01-23-2006, 12:20 PM

Wow. I am baffled. Here all these years I thought he was saying "When your day goes down I won't be....waiting around for you"......I had no idea that "dago" was the lyric. Oh well. It's actually kinda humourous now. It almost gives it a Go Your Own Way quality. The bitter guy getting "dumped on" and he's jealous of "her" new beau. I doubt there was any intentional "racism" there either. Not only that, but Lindsey/Fleetwood Mac didn't even write the song.

I don't know too much about this, but is it possible that Lindsey was being satirical and so forth? In other words, that he meant it in a sarcastic, and not literal, way? He DOES get that way, after all; for example, in the "Soundstage" performance he mentioned that he considers "Peacekeeper" to be "sort of a satire."

Well...I see your pictures are in the dictionary next to the word "gullible".

HomerMcvie

01-23-2006, 12:50 PM

Nobody's PMed me about the bridge yet, if you want it.
Bobo's shown some interest. Perhaps you should list your asking price.

Jyqm

01-23-2006, 12:51 PM

I'm kinda getting the impression that you _do_ intend to f*** with people, you're just surprised when it works. Otherwise why say those things in the first place?!

To entertain myself? Because I find it mildly amusing? Because I think David and maybe a few others will think it's funny? Or at least understand the deadpan?

If I was intending to f*** with people, why would I be surprised when it worked? Wouldn't I laugh and say, "Haha, gotcha!"? Instead I'm just kind of bewildered.

... How much do you want for the bridge? And how big is it?

It's pretty big, it's a good 50 meters long, and you could probably get two lanes of traffic moving on it in both directions. Great shape, too. Real sturdy. Seriously, PM me and we'll talk figures.

LINDSEY#1FAN

01-23-2006, 12:53 PM

Wow. I am baffled. Here all these years I thought he was saying "When your day goes down I won't be....waiting around for you"......I had no idea that "dago" was the lyric.

I have always thought the same thing ????? It CAN'T be Dago !!!

HomerMcvie

01-23-2006, 01:10 PM

I have always thought the same thing ????? It CAN'T be Dago !!!
So Lindsey's a racist!!:mad: I'm contacting the NAADP.:lol:

Jyqm

01-23-2006, 01:39 PM

I have always thought the same thing ????? It CAN'T be Dago !!!

Okay, my PMs don't seem to be working at the moment, so I'm just gonna start taking bids for the bridge. We'll start with a minimum of $10,000. Bids are in $1,000 increments. Who wants to get this party started?

Seriously, guys, this is a nice bridge.

Here's a photo: http://www.balsabridge.com/images/clipart/tower%20bridge.jpeg

Angelick Witch

01-23-2006, 03:38 PM

Oky-Doky, all points up there taken (about the f***ing with). I'm much more interested in the bridge anyway. It's real nice. Sure, I bid $10,000.

... This'll teach my father for not buying me that obelisk...

LINDSEY#1FAN

01-24-2006, 11:24 AM

Okay, my PMs don't seem to be working at the moment, so I'm just gonna start taking bids for the bridge. We'll start with a minimum of $10,000. Bids are in $1,000 increments. Who wants to get this party started?

Seriously, guys, this is a nice bridge.

Here's a photo: http://www.balsabridge.com/images/clipart/tower%20bridge.jpeg

:lol: :lol: :lol:

sara1998

01-24-2006, 12:04 PM

Seriously, guys, this is a nice bridge.

Here's a photo: http://www.balsabridge.com/images/clipart/tower%20bridge.jpeg
That would be stunning in my front yard. I'll bid $20,000..... Is that lake stocked??

tynan88

01-27-2006, 06:52 AM

I'll go $50,000 as long as I get the Queen with it.

Jyqm

01-27-2006, 07:28 AM

I'll go $50,000 as long as I get the Queen with it.

Sorry, all accessories are sold separately. That includes the crown jewels.

Collect the whole set!

tynan88

01-27-2006, 08:03 AM

How much will YOU pay ME to take Charles :laugh:

Ooh Ooh! I might get to meet the Queen in a few months when she comes to Australia for the Commonwealth Games!

Angelick Witch

01-30-2006, 06:55 AM

Damn, I was hoping for the Crown Jewels. They're very nice, you know. I wanted to add them to my jewellery box, but the Queen refused to sell. Can you believe it?

SteveMacD

01-30-2006, 09:22 AM

So Lindsey's a racist!!:mad: I'm contacting the NAADP.:lol:
Not to be picky, but wouldn't the Curtis Bros. actually be racist?

HomerMcvie

01-30-2006, 11:04 PM

Not to be picky, but wouldn't the Curtis Bros. actually be racist?
And can you blame them?:confused: ;) :lol:

eclipse

02-04-2006, 10:02 AM

:] On mishead lyrics...
For decades, really... I cannot count the amount of times I have listened to "The Chain" on the albulm, then tape ,then CD....ALWAYS thought at the end they were singing....
"Chaaiinnn , you must never!!! (or neva, actually)"
not until The Dance did I find out it was" Chaaiinnn keep us together"... or

"Dreams" thought it was "heartbeat draws you back," etc. not "heartbeat drives you mad"

and my fav- although it is not FM -when The Police came out with a new song (I am dating myself here, huh? and I kind of like Manfred Mann's Blinded by the Light cover, considering it had the 80's tempo/techno thing going on) Anyway I digress....
Back to The Police and "We Are Spirits in a Material World"...My girfriend was like, "How can you like these guys??? I mean, "We spit ants at the material world?? " What is that all about?" Swear to God cracks me up whenever I think about it :]

Jyqm

02-04-2006, 10:23 AM

and my fav- although it is not FM -when The Police came out with a new song (I am dating myself here, huh? and I kind of like Manfred Mann's Blinded by the Light cover, considering it had the 80's tempo/techno thing going on) Anyway I digress....

A lot of people seem to think of Manfred Mann's "Blinded" cover as an "80s" song, but it was actually recorded and released in 1976, I believe.

eclipse

02-04-2006, 11:10 AM

A lot of people seem to think of Manfred Mann's "Blinded" cover as an "80s" song, but it was actually recorded and released in 1976, I believe.

Well, I stand corrected:o

I have the Manfred Mann Albulm where he does a cover of "I Came For You", another Bruce tune.... and then they just faded away, I believe.

Angelick Witch

02-04-2006, 11:27 AM

:] On mishead lyrics...

In Stand Back.... I thought she was saying "Like a weirdo, I can bend"... I'm there "Stevie, I know I love you because you're so crazy, but WTF...?"

Jyqm

02-04-2006, 12:24 PM

Well, I stand corrected:o

I have the Manfred Mann Albulm where he does a cover of "I Came For You", another Bruce tune.... and then they just faded away, I believe.

Yeah, they did "For You" (which I think might be even worse than "Blinded") as well as "Spirit In The Night" all in the mid/late 70s. What a shame they didn't keep going, they could have ruined the entire Greetings from Asbury Park album...

Sorceress

02-04-2006, 02:38 PM

I just have to share that when I listened to Blue Letter for the first time in ages the other day, I couldn't stop laughing every time "day goes down" came around. Thank you. You brought new life to the song. :laugh:

Jyqm

02-04-2006, 02:41 PM

Angelick Witch

02-06-2006, 03:23 PM

See! Somebody appreciates me around here!

On the flip side of _that_ particular coin, I'm having real trouble listening to Blue Letter and not thinking about random Italian- and Spanish-Americans now... I have to say, it's driving me nuts!

Sorry! :wavey:

chiliD

02-06-2006, 04:53 PM

Yeah, they did "For You" (which I think might be even worse than "Blinded") as well as "Spirit In The Night" all in the mid/late 70s. What a shame they didn't keep going, they could have ruined the entire Greetings from Asbury Park album...

Well, for the 15 years prior to that, they had a tradition of recording at least one Bob Dylan song per album.

"The Mighty Quinn" being their big hit back in the '60s.

Actually, I LIKED their Dylan & Springsteen covers.