Her self-titled debut album, Mathilde Santing, came out in 1982 and she gas released well over fifteen studio albums since, most of them sung in English, although she sometimes performs and records in her mother tongue as well. Known for her whispery and vulnerable vocal style, Santing is a prominent gay role model in The Netherlands. She sang at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1998 Gay Games in Amsterdam.
Santing's biggest chart success came in 1999 with the lush ballad 'Wonderful Life', which hit #6 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was taken from the 1999 album To Others To One, which is her highest charting album in her native Netherlands to date, reaching #4 in the Dutch album charts.
Tickle Me
Mathilde Santing Lyrics
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Now that there's nothing to do
The TV set's busted and can't get a picture
The radio plays nothing but news
Why don't you tickle me
Gee whiz won't that be fine
What a great idea
Can't stop to think 'cause if we do we'll lose our mind
Why don't you tickle me
Don't we have fun every minute
Oh what a gay life we lead
One chocolate milkshake with two straws stuck in it
What else does anyone need
Why don't you tickle me
There's nothing else to do
You won't have to talk to me
And I won't have to talk to you
When we're done I'll think of something else to do
Why don't you tickle me
The lyrics of "Tickle Me" by Mathilde Santing portray a feeling of boredom and a desire for entertainment in a relationship that seems to have lost its spark. The singer is looking for something to do with their partner since the TV set is broken and the radio is only broadcasting news. The idea of tickling each other comes up as a solution to kill time, while avoiding any deep conversations that might lead to mental exhaustion. The singer emphasizes the importance of not stopping to think, and just focusing on the act of tickling -it becomes a way to numb the mind and escape from reality, even if it's only for a little while.
The lyrics suggest that the relationship depicted lacks substance and depth, and is based solely on passing time with a companion. The mention of a single chocolate milkshake shared through two straws implies a childish and perhaps unfulfilling relationship, where even the smallest gesture can bring joy, but doesn't satisfy the deeper needs of the individuals involved.
Interestingly, the song communicates a feeling of ennui and triviality that contrasts with the upbeat and catchy melody that accompanies it. The music has a jazzy, almost swing-like feel to it, adding to the playful tone of the lyrics. The song is brief, clocking in at just over two minutes, which could be seen as a nod to the fleeting nature of the entertainment sought after by the singer.
Overall, "Tickle Me" is a commentary on the lack of substance in relationships and the temptation of mindless entertainment as a form of escapism. Despite the cheerful demeanor of the music, the underlying message of the lyrics is rather somber, even melancholic, suggesting the potential futility of the situation that the singer finds themselves in.
Line by Line Meaning
What can you do to amuse me
I am bored and need some entertainment. What do you have in mind?
Now that there's nothing to do
There is nothing to keep us occupied, and I am feeling restless.
The TV set's busted and can't get a picture
The television is not working, and we cannot watch any shows or movies.
The radio plays nothing but news
The radio is only broadcasting news, and we want to listen to something more entertaining.
Why don't you tickle me
Tickling seems like a fun and silly activity that will help us pass the time.
Gee whiz won't that be fine
Tickling will bring joy and laughter to our otherwise dull day.
What a great idea
Tickling is an excellent suggestion, and I am excited to try it out.
What a perfect way to kill some time
Tickling is the ideal activity to keep us occupied and engaged in something amusing.
Can't stop to think 'cause if we do we'll lose our mind
We are so bored that we should not dwell on it too much, or we risk going crazy.
Don't we have fun every minute
We always have a great time together and make the most of every moment.
Oh what a gay life we lead
Our life is full of happiness and joy, and we cherish every second of it.
One chocolate milkshake with two straws stuck in it
We can share a milkshake together and enjoy each other's company.
What else does anyone need
We have each other, a delicious treat, and plenty of time to enjoy ourselves. What more could we ask for?
There's nothing else to do
We have exhausted all other options for entertainment and are left with few choices.
You won't have to talk to me
Tickling does not require much conversation, making it an appealing activity.
And I won't have to talk to you
I do not have to come up with any topics of discussion or maintain any conversations - it's a win-win situation!
When we're done I'll think of something else to do
Tickling will be a temporary solution to boredom, but we will continue to seek out other sources of entertainment once we finish.
Why don't you tickle me
Let's give tickling a try and see if we can make each other laugh and forget about how bored we were.
Contributed by Josiah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.