Desdemona
Marc Bolan And T - Rex Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Desdemona just because
You're the daughter of a man
He may be rich he's in a ditch
He does not understand
Just how to move or rock and roll
To the conventions of the young

Desdemona, Desdemona
Desdemona Desdemona
Desdemona, Desdemona

Lift up your skirt and fly
Just because my friend and I
Got a jute joint by the Seine
Does not mean I'm past fourteen
And cannot play the game
I'm glad I split and got a pad
On Boulevard Rue Fourteen

Desdemona, Desdemona
Desdemona Desdemona
Desdemona, Desdemona

Lift Up your skirt and fly
Just because Toulouse Lautrec
Painted some chick in the rude
Doesn't give you the right
To steal my night
And leave me naked in the nude
Well just because the touch of your hand
Can turn me on just like a stick

Desdemona, Desdemona
Desdemona Desdemona




Desdemona, Desdemona
Lift up your skirt and speak

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Marc Bolan and T-Rex's song "Desdemona" convey a message of rebellion against societal conventions and expectations. Desdemona, the daughter of a wealthy man, is criticized for not knowing how to rock and roll to the conventions of the young. The song encourages Desdemona to embrace her freedom and independence, to lift up her skirt and fly, and reject the expectations placed upon her by society.


The lyrics suggest that just because society is plagued with pretenses of maturity or sophistication does not mean that youth cannot be playful and embrace their interests. The singer insists that just because he indulges in a joint by the Seine or lives in Boulevard Rue Fourteen, does not mean he is past fourteen and cannot play the game.


The song's message is one of defiance and liberation against societal norms and restrictions. It also reflects Bolan's own interest in celebrating youth culture and rejecting traditional notions of maturity and sophistication. The lyrical content is typical of T-Rex's music, which is known for its suggestive and often surreal imagery.


Line by Line Meaning

Desdemona just because
Just because your name is Desdemona


You're the daughter of a man
You are the daughter of a man


He may be rich he's in a ditch
Although he may be wealthy, he is in a hopeless situation


He does not understand
He does not comprehend


Just how to move or rock and roll
He does not know how to dance or enjoy modern music


To the conventions of the young
According to the norms of the youth


Desdemona, Desdemona
Addressing the person named Desdemona


Lift up your skirt and fly
Enjoy your freedom and live your life to the fullest


Just because my friend and I
Only because my companion and I


Got a jute joint by the Seine
Visited a rustic, hemp-made establishment near the river Seine


Does not mean I'm past fourteen
It does not indicate that I am younger than fourteen years old


And cannot play the game
Or that I am incapable of participating in the activities


I'm glad I split and got a pad
I am pleased that I parted and acquired an abode


On Boulevard Rue Fourteen
Located on the fourteenth block of Boulevard Rue


Lift Up your skirt and fly
Live your life to the fullest and be happy


Just because Toulouse Lautrec
Simply because Toulouse Lautrec


Painted some chick in the rude
Drew an image of a woman in an impolite manner


Doesn't give you the right
Does not authorize you


To steal my night
To take away my evening or time


And leave me naked in the nude
And abandon me unprotected


Well just because the touch of your hand
Merely because the contact of your skin


Can turn me on just like a stick
Can excite me to the same extent as a phallic object


Lift up your skirt and speak
Express yourself freely and openly




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARC BOLAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions