Pamela Means' many honors include being named Falcon Ridge Folk Festival's #1 "Most Wanted New Artist", and both Wisconsin's "Folk Artist of the Year", and "Female Vocalist of the Year". Pamela has also been a Boston Music Award Nominee ("Outstanding Contemporary Folk Artist").
Currently, Pamela performs over 150 shows a year at clubs, coffeehouses, colleges, and festivals across the country, most notably the Newport Folk Festival, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, South by Southwest Conference, Southern Womyn's Fest, and Michigan Womyn's Festival. Pamela is also a favorite at innumerable regional Gay Pride events, Take Back the Night rallies, and Black History Month celebrations. Pamela has shared the stage with artists including Ani DiFranco, Joan Baez, Neil Young, Shawn Colvin, Richie Havens, Patty Larkin, Melissa Ferrick, Violent Femmes, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, and Holly Near.
Pamela's 2003 summer tour took her nationwide, promoting her fifth self-released album, Single Bullet Theory (Wirl Records, 2003), in which "...Means fires off what is easily one of the best musical summanations of our current political situation.." (Bay Area Reporter, San Francisco, CA)
Quoting her inspiration, Warrior Poet Audre Lorde, Pamela asks "I am myself- a Black woman warrior poet doing my work- come to ask you, are you doing yours?" With Truth as ammunition, a Pamela Means performance brings the fight for social justice and human dignity to the forefront of a new generation..
Maybe You Should
Pamela Means Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who says 'whattaya call that kind of hair?'
I call it mine you drunken swine
Now shut your face and drink your beer
Contents under pressure will explode
So be careful where your footsteps dare to go
My stomach's waging war with me
Scars resemble memory
But you don't believe the answer
Why should any woman ever be afraid
Why should any woman ever be afraid
I never really ever thought about it quite like that
I never really ever thought about it quite like that
Maybe you should
Maybe you should
On her tail he's on the train
So she switches cars
'cause he won't stop staring
That sick psycho-matic in dimestore glasses
He won't stop staring
Why should any woman ever be afraid
I never really ever thought about it quite like that
Maybe you should
Maybe you should
Maybe you should
The song “Maybe You Should” by Pamela Means is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the experiences of women in today’s society. In the first verse, Means describes an encounter with a man who makes a derogatory comment about her hair. She asserts her identity and demands respect, warning him of the consequences of his actions. The second verse delves deeper into the issue of harassment and assault, with Means depicting a woman being followed and stared at by an unidentified man. Throughout the song, she poses the question “Why should any woman ever be afraid?” and challenges listeners to think about their own assumptions and behaviors.
One of the most striking aspects of the song is its use of imagery and metaphor to convey its message. Means references “contents under pressure” and “scars that resemble memory” to convey a sense of internal conflict and emotional pain. She also contrasts the image of a “drunken swine” with that of a woman being pursued by a “sick psycho-matic,” highlighting the ways in which different forms of sexism and objectification can manifest. The repetition of the chorus – “I never really ever thought about it quite like that/ Maybe you should” – emphasizes the need for people to open their minds and listen to the experiences of those who are marginalized or oppressed.
The song’s lyrics are accompanied by a sparse and haunting melody that further underscores its emotional intensity. Means’ raw vocal delivery and unadorned acoustic guitar playing create a sense of immediacy and intimacy, drawing the listener in and forcing them to confront the uncomfortable truths she is presenting. In short, “Maybe You Should” is a powerful and important song that addresses issues of gender, power, and violence with clarity and compassion.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' on the south side by some greasy white guy
I'm sitting on the south side next to a man who's unkempt and oily.
Who says 'whattaya call that kind of hair?'
He is asking me what type of hair I have.
I call it mine you drunken swine
I tell him that it's my hair and call him a drunkard and swine.
Now shut your face and drink your beer
I tell him to be quiet and drink his beer.
Contents under pressure will explode
I warn him that something under pressure will eventually burst.
So be careful where your footsteps dare to go
I advise him to be careful where he steps as an explosion could occur.
My stomach's waging war with me
My stomach is upset and causing me a lot of discomfort.
Scars resemble memory
Scars serve as a reminder of past traumas.
I told you what's the matter
I have already explained to you what is going on.
But you don't believe the answer
However, you don't seem to believe what I have told you.
Why should any woman ever be afraid
I question why women should be made to feel scared in certain situations.
I never really ever thought about it quite like that
I admit that I had never considered this issue in such a profound way before.
Maybe you should
I suggest that perhaps you should start thinking about it.
On her tail he's on the train
She notices that a man is following her on the train.
So she switches cars 'cause he won't stop staring
She changes train cars because the man won't stop staring at her.
That sick psycho-matic in dimestore glasses
I describe the man who is following her as crazy and wearing cheap glasses.
Maybe you should
I repeat the suggestion that the listener should consider this issue more deeply.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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dancewomyn1
Powerful music...Thank you.
Amethyst3
oui, il faut et tu nous manques a Joliet ;)