To think the lyrics of this song suggest an abusive relationship?

[BlatantRedhead]

www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/stooshe/blackheart.html

Now maybe I'm overly conscious of possible references to the issue due to abuse in previous relationships but I've thought this about this song every time I've heard it for a while now. Recently the subject came up at work so I said what I thought. I was immediately rubbished by all my colleagues who all appear to think its perfectly ordinary for a girl to think her partner is a monster and be 'scared to death' by him . I pointed out these lyrics and they said she's scared to death by how in love she is. I work in a mainly female office.

Am I interpreting it wrong? It's not a big deal, its just annoyed me a bit how they all jumped to tell me it I shouldn't read abuse into it. Perhaps I am just damaged eh!

[Cybbo]

This songs been out for ages and you're not the first person to say how horrendous it is. Not sure what they're thinking tbh

[BlatantRedhead]

Ah, I haven't seen any other threads about it, sorry if I'm rehashing a point already made - I was just irritated by the attitude I was met with at the mention that it could be considered to be about abuse...

[FriendlyLadybird]

I don't think you're 'reading' abuse into it -- I think that's what it's about. It doesn't make it a bad song or 'horrendous' though. That's what art is for (and I know pop songs aren't high art but they still count): to explore things like this. Won't go into a long dissertation, but I think it's good to release provocative songs like this. Too bad your colleagues don't get it though.

[Anniegetyourgun]

How can that song not be about abuse?

[saulaboutme]

Yep totally agree. My daughtetr was singing it which was my cue for a rant about what you've just said. She doesn't play it anymore and I've turned into my mum (arggghh). The latest one is K$sha or whatever her name is. It's called 'Die Young' or something. Our friends baby nephew had just passed away so this really got under my skin + it's not cool. I know it's not about that but its like not what I want to hear.

[takataka]

its definitely about abuse

if it was about being scared at how uch in love she is, she wouldnt describe him as a monster

[FrootLoops]

I definitely agree with you that its about an abusive relationship. I quite like to hear songs like this though, humming along to them and then the lyrics catch me by surprise the first time I hear them and it always gives me pause and makes me think. The same thing happens with can't remember the name of song My name is Luca. Always make me cry.

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

I think your colleagues were being a bit dense - the song is about an abusive relationship and if they think that is perfectly 'normal' maybe you should worry about them not yourself. I would not give it too much further thought, people are happy simply to sing mindlessly to a catchy tune and perhaps when you demonstrated some actually awareness of the lyrics, a deeper understanding, then that made your colleagues go on the defensive in order to undermine your perceived superiority.

In other words it's all about them

[BlatantRedhead]

So glad it's not just me that thinks this! I honestly can't see how they could all think its not about abuse.. I'm not going to bring the subject up again, but its a bit uncomfortable now when it comes on, since they all think I'm just interpreting it that way...

[BlatantRedhead]

We have a radio in the office, will keep it on a talk show for a while!

[Cybbo]

Blatant, I haven't see it discussed anywhere else but twitter tbh. But I find the content of the song really off colour too

[PostBellumBugsy]

Think there was a thread about this when the song first came out. Lots of people saying it sent a crap message to young girls.

[HaphazardTophat]

Never heard this song before, but having just looked at the lyrics I can't see how it is about anything other than an abusive relationship.

Right from the first line about "breaking me" to the "naming hurts more......", I would say 100% you are right and not over-sensitive or deliberately interpreting the song this way.

Your colleagues are being dense, or maybe they are the type of people who listen to music without ever really hearing lyrics, just a nice tune. Either way UANBU.

[MerryChristmasEverybody]

Haha I knew it was going be this song before I even opened the thread.

[bradywasmyfavouritewiseman]

But I find the content of the song really off colour too

Why? Abuse is part of so many peoples lives when I. The middle of it. You often do think 'he is the best I ever had'.

but often if see it from the outside it makes you realise how awful it is. Perhaps one woman has left her bastard because that song summed up her feelings.
Music is about art, and art often reflects life.

[EssexGurl]

They have been open in all interviews about the message behind the song and the fact it happened to one of them (IIRC - song has been out for ages and ages). Surely all music and lyrics are a reflection of somone's life. We like the ones about love and romance but are anti-ones about more depressing stuff. In a way, I think it is good to get that sort of message out to younger girls.

[ToffeeCaramel]

Your colleagues are wrong. It is about physical abuse. The line about sticks and stones refers to the playground rhyme "Sticks and stones will break my bones."

[takataka]

yy essex i was thinking along those lines...I dont see it as inappropriate/glorifying DV; quite the opposite...it can reach out to young people experiencing the same and make them know they are not alone

[TandB]

I can't bear this song. "I'm in an abusive relationship, tee hee hee."

I can't see anything in it that suggests that it is remotely intended to raise awareness of domestic abuse. It is a twee, cutesy, upbeat song about the old chesnut- everyone likes a bad boy. It's not exactly Luka/Luca, however you spell it - that was a clear condemnation of abuse.

I spoke about this song to two police officers in the DV team when I was at court with them on a case. They both loathe it and think that it is a clear promotion of the idea that a bad boy is something a bit exciting and sexy and that it sends a dreadful message to young girls.

[TandB]

Just seen Essexgirl's post. I haven't seen any interviews about this - I'm rather shocked to be honest. I would have thought it would have a very different treatment if one of them had actually experienced abuse.

[Anniegetyourgun]

Well then, opinions may differ on whether the song sends a good or bad message, but if the band themselves say it's about an abusive relationship I don't think the OP's colleagues have much of a case to claim it isn't.

[takataka]

kuungfu i have been in an abusive relationship, I connectd with the song.

TBH though...i havent read or heard all the lyrics...just the 2 lines..

[Alonglongway]

To add to it, this is a group who are promoted by playing in schools - my then yr 7 came home with Stooshe freebie merchandise - think this song came out later but nonetheless.....

[MamaMary]

Songs like this normalise misogyny and domestic violence.

They are not innocuous 'art', sorry.

If you have teenage DDs, tell them to watch out for lyrics like this. The music industry has an agenda, increasingly, to normalise DV. Just look at Rhinanna.

And your colleagues are dim

[MamaMary]

Yes, the group may have done interviews explaining it. But that's not good enough.

You have probably not heard the interview, the tune is catchy, the lyrics get into your head, it becomes 'normal'.