My Conviction
Charles Bush Lyrics
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teenagers and say kids, be free, be whatever you are, do whatever you
want to do, just so long as you don't hurt anybody. And remember kids,
I am your friend.
I would just like to say that it is my conviction
That longer hair and other flamboyant affectations
Of appearance are nothing more
Into the gaudy plumage
Which is the birthright of his sex
There is a peculiar notion that elegant plumage
And fine feathers are not proper for the male
When ac------tually
That is the way things are
In most species
The lyrics to Charles Bush's song My Conviction are a commentary on gender expectations and the idea that self-expression should not come at the cost of hurting others. The song begins with a plea for parents to allow their teenagers to be themselves, as long as they are not causing harm. The singer then offers his personal conviction that flamboyant self-expression, such as longer hair or other bold fashion choices, is a natural part of the male gender's emergence from drab camouflage into gaudy plumage.
The song's message is clear: society should not police self-expression based on gender norms that dictate which types of adornment are "proper" for men versus women. The references to plumage and camouflage highlight the idea that human gender expression is just another example of the natural world's many gender expressions. Ultimately, the song encourages listeners to embrace their unique identities and not be afraid to stand out.
Line by Line Meaning
I would just like to say that it is my conviction
I want to express my deep belief in something
That longer hair and other flamboyant affectations
Men expressing themselves in ways that may seem unconventional
Of appearance are nothing more
These unconventional appearances are not negative in any way
Than the male's emergence from his drab camoflage
These flamboyant affectations are a way for men to stand out
Into the gaudy plumage
Men are meant to be showy and flamboyant
Which is the birthright of his sex
Being flamboyant is a natural trait of men
There is a peculiar notion that elegant plumage
Some people believe that men shouldn't express themselves in flamboyant ways
And fine feathers are not proper for the male
Some people believe that only women should express themselves in flamboyant ways
When ac------tually
When in fact
That is the way things are
In reality
In most species
This is true for most animal species
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Galt Mac Dermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind