Woman, you want me, give me a sign
And catch my breathing even closer behind
“Hungry Like the Wolf” – Duran Duran
A few weeks ago, I attempted to make peace with the narrator of “Save A Prayer” and what his intents were (you can read it here). In the discussion of that, someone on Twitter (@_editionsofme) made a good point about “Hungry Like the Wolf” being more troubling for a lot of listeners from a lyrical perspective. It is true and something that stayed in my head. It was still percolating in my brain when I realized that another band I follow had already written the perfect response to the song.
Cowboy Junkies first released “Hunted” in 1992 and it has since grown into a high-point of their live shows with one of the most blistering mandolin solos ever heard (I’m serious!). Inspired by true events, the lyrics outline the many different ways women are forced to navigate a world where men are hungry like the wolf. The lyrics and video are below if you care to dive in. The way vocalist Margo sings it today is nothing short of fierce. She sings the line “to go visit their father” with such disgust that it tells us that many of her female friends probably married the wrong misguided angel (“Misguided Angel” being one of their biggest hits if you don’t dabble in the alt-country scene).
Where does that leave “Hungry Like the Wolf”? Fair question. It’s an undeniably memorable song with some troubling overtones – not an uncommon artifact in the pantheon of rock-n-roll. The band certainly didn’t write it with poor intent but it does reflect how they, and most of us, were taught gender. Perhaps, it’s important that we keep the song alive within popular culture as an example of how an innocent hit song can offer a deeper, more important insight into the issues of our society. More importantly, we need to amplify the songs that aren’t hits as they are often the ones that can teach us the most. As a male, finding songs like “Hunted” and “Me & a Gun” by Tori Amos in the early 1990s helped shape my worldview far more than “Hungry Like the Wolf” and I am grateful for that. So, do you know what it’s like to be hunted?
Emma's in a part of town where she doesn't recognize the streets named for famous native sons and out of every crevice comes creeping a threat in her direction Lucy's outside her home heading towards her corner store she stays on well-travelled paths and is always making sure that she doesn't develop patterns There are trap lines running up and down Main Street wire snares thirsting for your neck and feet Susan doesn't like the way her curtains are blowing in the wind She swears she locked that window before she went out dancing she stands frozen in her doorway Judy hears a sound coming from the other room she knows she should be alone 'cause the kids left at noon to go visit their father Quick to your phone dial 911 invite a strange man into your home who'll be carrying a gun Leslie's working late she's got a deadline to meet In walks her boss, upon her desk he puts his feet and says alone at last Reanne's got a new boyfriend and they're getting along until he locks the door and says don't struggle, I'm stronger than you are. Just one question I'm dying to ask, you said, do you know what it's like to be hunted?
Jason,
To be fair – Hungry Like the Wolf is not my favorite Duran Duran song. I don’t know if that’s ever come across in any of my own blogs here… (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
While I can’t argue with your words here (I mean, why would I?), I do have to say that if I gave thought to many lyrics of the songs I fell in love with over the course of my life, I have a feeling I wouldn’t be a fan of many bands out there…including all of the hair bands in existence. I struggle with that notion. On one hand, I am not saying that I think women should be used as objects, but on another, there are a lot of Duranies out there that comment on the band’s looks far more than they do their music, even today. Doesn’t it go both ways? Shouldn’t it? I’m not a very good feminist in many ways, but I do love good music. It is a shame that one comes at the cost of the other ever so often in this world. -R
Well said. I agree.
Another thought provoking post. I do like HLTW as a song.I read the lyrics you posted by Cowboy junkies and they did hit close to home as my visible gender is female and I have suffered molestation as a child.I learned early on that some men bear watching, but I don’t want to be the person who ascribes malicious intent to every song I hear.A lot of Duran’s songs deal with the lustful appreciation of women! Clearly they write what they know, and really most bands do the same. And while I love the music I also loved that they were all flat out gorgeous-especially Nick. So I am somewhat guilty of objectifying them also. I think sometimes we can get a little too deep in the study of lyrics. Simon simply wrote a great song-and the line ‘Woman you want me, give me a sign.’ implies that the woman in the song is participating willingly. She gave him a sign!
Yes, the clear point of him asking for a sign is the main key. As someone who has survived molestation, i am curious what you think of Dirty Great Monster? It is based on a true incident on Yasmin’s side of the family. I thought it was powerful and some of the best writing Simon had done in years @ that point.
The song Dirty Great Monster has always made me a little uncomfortable. I sussed out that it was a story about a Father who crossed a boundary, but I did not ponder it too deeply because it opens doors I cannot open yet.I had no idea it was based on something true, but the authenticity must have been there because of my instinctive reaction.This has made me want to really listed to this song-really let it sink in. But not today. A day when I can not go to work.Once again I am impressed with Simon’s writing.