A graduate of St. Andrew's School, Wainwright is best known for a 1972 novelty song hit Dead Skunk (in the Middle of the Road), with pianist Teddy Wender and for playing Captain Spalding (the "singing surgeon") on three episodes of the American television show M*A*S*H in its third season (1974-1975), but his musical reputation is much deeper. Using a witty, self-mocking style, Wainwright has recorded over twenty albums on eleven different labels. Two of his albums have been nominated for Grammy awards.
He is also a regular actor in Judd Apatow movies. His biggest role was playing the father on Judd's show, Undeclared.
In 2012 his latest offering Older Than My Old Man Now was released.
Official website : http://www.lwiii.com/
Reciprocity
Loudon Wainwright III Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At a knockdown, drag out fight
She was determined and he saw it his way
He threw a tantrum and she threw an ashtray
They got drunk last night
How's this for a "How do you do?"
He's unfaithful, she's untrue
They're their own masters and they're their own bosses
How's this for a fine "How do you do?"
You'd need a chair and a whip
To control their relationship
Once they were lovers and practically best friends
Now he's into bondage and she's into Revenge
You'd need a chair and a whip
And if one of them should die
I suppose that the other would cry
There would be tears of sorrow and great grief
Or else there would be tears of release and relief
If one of them should die
The lyrics of Loudon Wainwright III's song "Reciprocity" describe a turbulent and dysfunctional relationship between two individuals who are their own bosses and masters. The couple got drunk last night during a knockdown, drag out fight that saw both of them determined to have things their way. The male partner threw a tantrum while the female partner threw an ashtray in the heat of the moment. The couple is unfaithful to each other and reserves the right to employ double crosses, with both partners seeming to revel in the chaos and drama of their relationship.
Wainwright III paints a bleak picture of a once-loving relationship that has devolved into something twisted and grotesque. He suggests that the couple's dynamic has become so toxic that it would require a chair and a whip to control it. The man is into bondage while the woman is into revenge, two interests that further highlight the disturbing nature of their relationship. The song ends on a dark note, with Wainwright III contemplating the possibility of one partner dying and the other experiencing either tears of sorrow and great grief or tears of release and relief.
The lyrics of "Reciprocity" present a stark and unflinching portrait of a dysfunctional relationship that is beyond repair. The song highlights the destructive nature of toxic relationships and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing oneself to become trapped in a cycle of emotional abuse and turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
They got drunk last night
Last night they consumed alcohol to the point of drunkenness
At a knockdown, drag out fight
They had a violent and intense argument
She was determined and he saw it his way
She was resolute and he refused to see her perspective
He threw a tantrum and she threw an ashtray
He had a fit of rage and she responded by throwing an ashtray
They're their own masters and they're their own bosses
They have complete control over their own lives and actions
They reserve the right to employ double crosses
They allow themselves the right to betray each other
How's this for a fine "How do you do?"
Isn't this a wonderful greeting?
You'd need a chair and a whip
Their relationship requires extreme measures of control and discipline
Once they were lovers and practically best friends
They used to be romantically involved and very close companions
Now he's into bondage and she's into Revenge
Their sexual preferences have diverged into bondage and vengeance, respectively
And if one of them should die
In the event of one of their deaths
I suppose that the other would cry
It's likely that the surviving partner would feel sorrow and cry
There would be tears of sorrow and great grief
There would be tears of sadness and profound sorrow
Or else there would be tears of release and relief
Alternatively, the surviving partner might feel a sense of release and relief
Contributed by Julia P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LuckyLucyLuccia
Hey, posting the lyrics so I can sing while listening:
They got drunk last night
At a knockdown, drag out fight
She was determined and he saw it his way
He threw a tantrum and she threw an ashtray
They got drunk last night
How's this for a "How do you do?"
He's unfaithful
She's untrue
They're their own masters and they're their own bosses
They reserve the right to employ double crosses
How's this for a fine "How do you do?"
You'd need a chair and a whip
To control their relationship
Once they were lovers and practically best friends
Now he's into bondage
And she's into Revenge
You'd need a chair and a whip
And if one of them should die
I suppose that the other would cry
There would be tears of sorrow and great grief
Or else there would be tears of release and relief
If one of them should die
@Stringman1950
One of his unique qualities has always been as a storyteller. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to be brilliant in all his other ways. Always been underrated.
@ThefightingCelt
"He threw a tantrum and she threw an ashtray".. lol I have always remembered this line. Bought the album from which Reciprocity comes at the time of its release in the 70s. I love Loudon's sense of pathos and humour. Great songwriter.
@ThefightingCelt
@@piersregan7586 T-Shirt
@ThefightingCelt
@@piersregan7586 You're Welcome .
@kristinemata8952
I love classic and folk song..what a teary eyed I got after the song
@mezzeta
Saw him last summer... still a big talent.
@PinHead9707
Brilliant! I made a translation of this into Norwgian in THAT year: 1977 - but I've never sung it exept in a recording studio... Saw him live 1. time in 72 and have been a fan since.
@bobconnor1210
His greatest skill is in defining relationships with brilliant poetry, especially the jacked-up, alcohol soaked ones which he has seen very clearly. It’s therapeutic to do so and that’s probably why the man is still alive. We love Loudon.
@stevenwhiteman7792
Such a heart felt song..... again!
@steevecunt5371
I reserve the right to say, today I have been mostly listening to Louden Wainwright 111,reciprocity. I got drunk last night. I'll get my coat. I even got that wrong I think? Oh the Joy's of special brew and women!!!?????.....