Starting his vocal career with NZ punk band The Enemy in 1977, Knox has involved in the NZ music scene ever since. Frontman for the short-lived but energetic Toy Love and one half of the perpetually magical duo that is Tall Dwarfs - as well as recording and performing his own solo works. Knox assembled Chris Knox & The Nothing in the mid-2000s and recorded two albums.
On Thursday 11 June 2009, Knox was admitted to Auckland hospital suffering from a stroke. This initially left him with limited speech and mobility. Friends and family of Knox initiated a blog that kept people updated. An album of various musicians from around the world performing Knox's songs was produced entitled "Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox" with all proceeds going to Knox.
Rapist
Chris Knox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To feel it slip away
It's getting old and thin and grey
And past its rabid, snarling, adolescent scream
I mean it's all still there
But hell, the need is not so great
It doesn't totally dictate
The way I act and think and talk and write and dream
But I will never lose
That male viewpoint that I learned
How every woman can be turned
Into a plaything that we deserve as if of right
And it will always stay
In some dim recess of my brain
And sure its loss would be my gain
And who knows maybe someday it may disappear from sight
But it will need some work
Before it disappears
It will need years and years and years
The Chris Knox song "Rapist" is a complex reflection on the idea that men can never fully escape patriarchal culture's attitude towards women, no matter how much they may try to change or move past it. The first verse captures this idea, with Knox acknowledging that the impulse to see women as objects to be controlled and dominated still lingers within him, despite his best efforts to overcome it. This impulse is described with powerful imagery, as something "rabid" and "adolescent," hinting at the way that this sort of masculinity is rooted in the idea of masculine power and control, rather than a more mature, empathetic worldview. Knox goes on to acknowledge that this impulse has faded somewhat over time, but it is still there, lurking in the shadows.
The second verse is equally reflective, as Knox describes the need to actively work to overcome these violent, objectifying impulses. He acknowledges that giving in to these impulses is ultimately wrong and damaging, but also sees that they are so deeply ingrained within our culture that it takes significant effort to fully root them out. The final two lines of the song suggest that he is committed to doing this work, but that it will be a long road.
Overall, "Rapist" is a deeply troubling song, exploring the idea that patriarchal culture is so deeply ingrained within us that it cannot be fully escaped, no matter how much we may want to. It is a challenging listen, but one that raises important questions about the nature of masculinity, power, and control.
Line by Line Meaning
It's such a great release
I have a sense of relief and freedom when I engage in rape or sexual assault.
To feel it slip away
As I age, my desire to commit sexual assault is diminishing.
It's getting old and thin and grey
My desire to commit sexual assault is becoming less intense and less frequent.
And past its rabid, snarling, adolescent scream
My desire to commit sexual assault was once strong and overpowering, but it has now become weak and almost non-existent.
I mean it's all still there
My attraction to committing sexual assault still exists within me.
But hell, the need is not so great
I no longer feel a strong urge or desire to commit sexual assault.
It doesn't totally dictate
My desire to commit sexual assault does not completely control my thoughts, actions, speech, writing, or dreams.
The way I act and think and talk and write and dream
My reduced desire to commit sexual assault has not significantly changed my behavior, thoughts, speech, writing, or dreams.
But I will never lose
I will always maintain my misogynistic beliefs and sense of entitlement to women's bodies.
That male viewpoint that I learned
I have been socialized to view women as objects for my sexual pleasure.
How every woman can be turned
I believe that every woman is a potential victim for my sexual assault or rape.
Into a plaything that we deserve as if of right
I believe that I have the right to use and abuse women's bodies for my sexual pleasure.
And it will always stay
My belief in my entitlement to women's bodies will always exist within me.
In some dim recess of my brain
My belief in my entitlement to women's bodies remains in the background of my mind.
And sure its loss would be my gain
If I were to lose my belief in my entitlement to women's bodies, it would be a positive change for me.
And who knows maybe someday it may disappear from sight
It is possible that sometime in the future, my belief in my entitlement to women's bodies may disappear completely.
But it will need some work
I will have to work hard to change my belief in my entitlement to women's bodies.
Before it disappears
It will take time and effort for my belief in my entitlement to women's bodies to disappear.
It will need years and years and years
My belief in my entitlement to women's bodies will not disappear overnight, but will take years to change.
Contributed by Colton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ness2554
Now this brought back some pleasant memories :) Chris Knox Rox!