In 1975, after a failed stint at managing & relaunching the image of the notoriously hard living and chaotic band the New York Dolls, Malcolm nurtured the formation of one of the most infamous punk bands in history, The Sex Pistols. He became their manager, and controlled their contracts, as well as most importantly to him, their image in the media. The venture ended in a disastrous US tour, and a film called "The Great Rock And Roll Swindle" that featured McLaren, and glorified his untraditional Situationist PR approach and manipulative Svengali-esque role in the band's career.
In the '80s, after the Sex Pistols had long broken up, Malcolm became the manager of another band, Adam and the Ants which veered away from punk's coarse format via new romantic pirate garb and poly rhythmic African style drumming. When Adam Ant rebelled and left the band, Malcolm repackaged the musicians with a 14 year old Anglo/Burmese girl named Annabella Lwin to form the band Bow Wow Wow. He soon used his headline making skills to propel the band and their underage lead singer to the top of the charts with a nude album cover scandal.
In the early 1980's, Malcolm began producing his own records, beginning with the hits "Buffalo Gals" and "Double Dutch" from the groundbreaking 1983 album "Duck Walk" which used NYC hip hoppers and scratch DJ's The World Famous Supreme Team, as its foundation. Future members of Art of Noise performed on, produced, and/or jointly composed various tracks. He next turned to opera, masterminding a pop adaptation of "Madam Butterfly" on the album "Fans" using an assortment of female vocalists, and skilled musician Robby Kilgore on the tracks.
McLaren has released numerous other albums and tracks since, including contributions to the movie soundtracks of Carry On Columbus, and Kill Bill 2, but his musical career peaked with his 1980's works. McLaren's original "Double Dutch" era material has since been reappropriated and sampled by sucessful artists including Mariah Carey, Eminem, Amerie and De La Soul.
In his later years, McLaren occasionally contributed to newspapers and magazines, directed and produced films and appeared on British reality television programmes. He died on the morning of 8 April 2010, following a battle with cancer.
I Like You In Velvet
Malcolm McLaren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She has no single flaw
A simple skirt and coat on
And a sailor had of straw
Yet she looks more splendid
Than all the world today
She'll soon be my intended
Perhaps that's why I say
Not your hat, your frock or your glove
I like you in velvet
I love you in plus
In satin you are just
Like your own lovely blush
You're charming in silk
Or a plain woollen shawl
But you're simply delightful
With nothing on at all
Maybe you'll be in your balldress
Or you perhaps I'll find,
Dressed in your "What'd you call dress?"
You're oh well, never mind
The lyrics to Malcolm McLaren's song "I Like You In Velvet" describe the singer's love and adoration for a girl who he finds perfect in every way. He talks about how she looks splendid, with a simple skirt and coat with a sailor hat of straw. He loves her in all kinds of fabrics, whether it is velvet, plus, satin, silk, or even with nothing on at all. He praises her beauty and charm in every dress she wears, from a ball-gown to a plain woollen shawl. The song is about celebrating the girl's beauty, and the singer's love for her, regardless of what she is wearing.
The song can be interpreted as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on how people often pay more attention to the external, physical appearance of a person rather than their inner beauty. It is to say that the singer's love for the girl is not just superficial, it comes from a deep emotional connection he has with her. The song is about how clothes don't make the person, but rather the person's true beauty comes from within. The lyrics are romantic, yet light-hearted, and they convey the message of loving someone unconditionally for who they are, not just how they look.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a girl I simply dote on
I have an admiration for a specific girl
She has no single flaw
There is nothing imperfect about her
A simple skirt and coat on
She wears basic clothing
And a sailor had of straw
She wears a hat that looks like a sailor hat and made of straw
Yet she looks more splendid
Despite her basic clothing, she looks magnificent
Than all the world today
She looks better than anyone else right now
She'll soon be my intended
I plan to make her my partner
Perhaps that's why I say
That might be the reason why I am saying this
It's you I love
My love is for you only
Not your hat, your frock or your glove
I do not love you for your clothing or accessories
I like you in velvet
I admire you in velvet clothing
I love you in plus
My love for you multiplies with every addition to your clothing
In satin you are just
You are simply irresistible in satin clothing
Like your own lovely blush
You look similar to the color of your own blush
You're charming in silk
You look adorable in silk clothing
Or a plain woollen shawl
Even basic woolen shawl makes you look captivating
But you're simply delightful
However, you are charming without any clothing
With nothing on at all
You are captivating even in your natural form
Maybe you'll be in your balldress
You might be wearing a long formal dress
Or you perhaps I'll find,
Or maybe I will find you
Dressed in your "What'd you call dress?"
Wearing an unknown dress
You're oh well, never mind
Well, regardless, you are still fascinating
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MARY E KESSLER, ROBBIE KILGORE, MALCOLM MC LAREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@natashahoukamau5097
Decades later Malcolm remains a musical genius!!!
@flashandthepan
I just discovered Malcom - I never cease to be amazed by the creative musical minds in this beautiful world.
@DelaneyHolliday
Another from Catwalk 1995
@powderpuffgrrrl2797
If you know the name of the intro song or the song playing during jg fashion show pls lmk
@aslytonio4248
@@powderpuffgrrrl2797 I am obsessed by that song: it's an extract from 'Paris Sept' but...but... the 'fanny face' version from Catwalk is quite different, adapted perfectly to the mix of the video. And I/we can't find it anywhere -- anyone?
@joshcharlat850
Such a great recitation! The timing is perfect.
@toakasi6425
I second that reciting like reading scripture or a sonnet this is really noisy art.
@user-zf4mn5nm8g
2023❤
@Radical5TV
The whole album is a Masterpiece !
@grahamluff7868
Beautiful album, so ahead of it’s time in professional collaborations, tone, and meaning. Mr M was ahead of Madonna “In Vogue” too. What an innovator. So sad he’s no longer here. I visited his grave in Highgate cemetery, those who love the music boundaries he broke should too, if they can. Extraordinary. I cherished the cassette, I cherish the CD.