Pure Punk Picks
Violet – Hole
The general consensus is that Courtney Love is an asshole. Being as asshole is not a rare commodity these days or, in any day.
But I would point out that the actual function of an asshole is spewing out shit, or bullshit- (I learned this in Biology class).
And though her personality can be questioned with justifiable cause, I don’t believe Courtney is one of the biggest bullshitters of our time.
You’d have to look towards Washington, D.C. not Seattle, Washington for that.
And going by the lyrics of this album where this song is taken from, “Live Through This”. I feel she is the most honest songwriter of the nineties. And Trent Reznor, I have you batting second.
The music is awesome, fully expressing the rawness, wildness and creativity of early punk. Which I feel, I’ve only heard completely, in the riot girl bands of the nineties like Hole, Bikini Kill and a few others. These are the only bands that really capture the essence and sound of what early punk sounds and means to me.
This song is about rape.
A long time ago, I mentioned to one of my sisters, what a tragic thing rape is.
She replied, that she, my other two sisters and just about every female friend of hers had experienced that, that it was quite common and a part of women’s reality.
I believed her and still feel, what a sorry comment on a male dominated society that is. And I’m sorry, that it’s still that way.
There was a lot of talk at the time, about how this album was really written by her husband, Kurt Cobain, of Nirvana. And though, I think that Kurt was highly talented- I can’t see any male, however gifted, writing lyrics that expressed how women thought, so honestly and open as this album succeeds.
When I first heard this album in the nineties, I felt- “Oh, my. Here’s a woman really relaying what women really think and feel without any restraints.” I’m unsure if any women ever did this before and I still, am unaware of any women surpassing her.
“I’m Miss World, somebody kill me,” from another song relates to a glamorous girl who has to keep the smiling, fake facade while she’s crying, dying inside. “I fake it so much I am beyond fake,” another girl who realizes she has fallen into the false role she portrays and then says, “Some day you will ache like ache.” Implying, some day as a male, you will feel the pain society puts on you that she has experienced from day one.
These characters are not dishonest women, but are forced by society into a role that they hate. This was a bit of revelation for me at the time, but probably, not so much for most women.
“You should learn how to say no,” is screamed once this song “Violet” is about to kick in.
And yes, “No” should not be learned how to say, as its’ mere utterance should state clearly what it indicates. But, unfortunately, in our society that’s not, always the case.
The music blazes strong in a Bo Didley like beat, complete with a blaring, barrage of vocals and smashing instruments. And then it slows, a bit.
“When they get what they want, then they never want it again.”
When the men get their conquest they move on, cowardly, not wanting to face the consequences of their actions.
“Yeah, I’m the one with no soul.” In the Old Testament it’s alluded to that women don’t have a soul!
The music explodes with energy and excitement bashing those old, stupid beliefs to the winds.
“Go on take everything, take everything. I want you to. Go on take everything, take everything, I dare you.”
This line suggests the submission of rape when there is nothing one can do to stop it. But for me, it really expresses- yes, you can use your brutal power to get what you want but, you can get my body but you can not get my soul, or effect what is best and most sacred within me.
“I told you from the start, just how this would end.” Somehow, now the tables have turned. “When I get what I want then I never want it again.”
Suddenly, the victim becomes victor, right wins over might. Suggesting that the male dominated society rapes us all but what makes the best part of us, the inner being of all of us, can not be taken from us- like the song “Sex Beat” by Gun Club says, “We can fuck forever but you will never get my soul.” I feel, this song says, “You can rape me, my body, but you can never touch what’s most important to me, which is my heart, my mind, my soul.
And forgetting the Old Testement for a moment, and their take on women’s souls, let’s put this across genders, let’s put forth what we won’t let society do to us.
YOU CAN FUCK US, YOU CAN RAPE US, YOU CAN DENIGRATE US IN ANY WAY YOU DEEM FIT, FOR YOU ARE IN POWER! YOU OLD, DECREPIT, IMMORAL WHITE MALES! BUT YOUR ARROGANT STANCES, YOUR HYPOCRITICAL IDEALS, YOUR MAGGOT INFESTED MINDS AND LIVES WILL SOON DIE OUT!
“Go on take everything, take everything, take everything!” Courtney wails.
In the video she then covers her face- perhaps with embarrassment or rage.
But what lives on after the video fades, or this song stops playing, is the righteous fury, the truth shining bright in the face beyond the moral decay, the psychopathic, squalid display of the patriarchy.
This song is a symbol that the female spirit is strong.
This song is a sign that that spirit cannot be broke, and even as I type these words, is slowly, winning out.
This song is just not some great music but even a greater feeling, a belief and a promise expressed in the lyrics.
Right will win over might, I believe.
It’s just about to start.
(Slimedog)
