Real Women

by digby

I just noticed this post by Attaturk making note that “I’ve Never Been To Me” was written 31 years ago. And I feel the need to share the lyrics of this epic song so you youngsters will realize just how rich and meaningful the musical experience of the baby boomers really was. If you thought it was all “Helter Skelter” and “My Generation” you were sadly mistaken:

Hey lady, you lady, cursing at your life
You’re a discontented mother and a regimented wife
I’ve no doubt you dream about the things you’ll never do
But, I wish someone had talked to me
Like I wanna talk to you…..

Oh, I’ve been to Georgia and California and anywhere I could run
I took the hand of a preacher man and we made love in the sun
But I ran out of places and friendly faces because I had to be free
I’ve been to paradise but I’ve never been to me

Please lady, please lady, don’t just walk away
‘Cause I have this need to tell you why I’m all alone today
I can see so much of me still living in your eyes
Won’t you share a part of a weary heart that has lived million lies….

Oh, I’ve been to Nice and the Isle of Greece while I’ve sipped champagne on a yacht
I’ve moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo and showed ’em what I’ve got
I’ve been undressed by kings and I’ve seen some things that a woman ain’t supposed to see
I’ve been to paradise, but I’ve never been to me

[spoken]
Hey, you know what paradise is?
It’s a lie, a fantasy we create about people and places as we’d like them to be
But you know what truth is?
It’s that little baby you’re holding, it’s that man you fought with this morning
The same one you’re going to make love with tonight
That’s truth, that’s love……

Sometimes I’ve been to crying for unborn children that might have made me complete
But I took the sweet life, I never knew I’d be bitter from the sweet
I’ve spent my life exploring the subtle whoring that costs too much to be free
Hey lady……
I’ve been to paradise, (I’ve been to paradise)
But I’ve never been to me

These were pretty early days in the modern feminist movement, so this wasn’t entirely unusual. But I do have to say that my female friends and I mocked this song relentlessly and with fervor even then. Unfortunately, I could see somebody covering it today and making it a hit again. Things haven’t really changed enough to make it a politically incorrect, laughable anachronism which is really sad.

.