He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
A Bone Through Her Nose
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And three times now at the Club Chi-Chi they've turned her away
Last week she was the belle of the ball but another week passes
It's time to cast off crutches, scars and pebble glasses
She's got everything a girl might need
She's a tribal animal, yes indeed
But she hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose
Hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose
Oh she gets her suits from a personal friend, Coco the clown
She got dustman's jacket, inside out, it's a party gown
If it's bouffons, she's got bouffons, if it's tat she got tat
She got hoochie coochie Gucci and a pom-pom hat
She's got everything a girl might need
She's a tribal animal, yes indeed
But she hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose
No!
Well, her ma writes cook books, she wrote one once, and it sold one or two
Her pa's in the city, he's so witty, he calls it the zoo
Her boyfriend plays in Scritti Politti, Aunt Sally's brown bread
In a few more years she can marry some fool and knock it on the head
She's got everything a girl might need
She's a tribal animal, yes indeed
But she hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
She hasn't got a bone through her nose
She hasn't got a, Oh she hasn't got a, Oh
Richard Thompson's song A Bone Through Her Nose is a commentary on society's expectations and the pressure put on individuals to conform to those standards. The lyrics describe a young woman who is a "tribal animal" and likes to stand out with her unconventional style, but is rejected by society for not fitting the norm. The drones on the corner don't look her in the eye, and she is turned away from the Club Chi-Chi. Despite being the belle of the ball one week, the next week she is rejected again. The singer encourages her to cast off her "crutches," including her scars and pebble glasses to be the person she wants to be.
The song is a reminder that society's expectations can be suffocating and that it is important to embrace individuality and be oneself. The "bone through her nose" serves as a metaphoric symbol for the young woman's defiance and individuality, but the singer reminds us that one doesn't need to go to such extremes to stand out and be unique. The song is both a critique of societal norms and a call to embrace individuality and reject societal pressure to conform.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh the drones on the corner don't look her in the eye when she comes out to play
The people on the street avoid looking at her when she's out
And three times now at the Club Chi-Chi they've turned her away
She has been denied entry to Club ChI-Chi three times now
Last week she was the belle of the ball but another week passes
She was popular last week, but things have changed quickly
It's time to cast off crutches, scars and pebble glasses
She needs to get rid of her insecurities and embrace herself
She's got everything a girl might need
She has plenty of possessions and resources
She's a tribal animal, yes indeed
She's a free spirit, with a strong sense of identity
But she hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
Despite her unconventional style, she lacks true tribal authenticity
Hasn't got a bone through her nose
She doesn't have the physical markings of a true tribal member
Oh she gets her suits from a personal friend, Coco the clown
She has unusual sources for her clothing
She got dustman's jacket, inside out, it's a party gown
She repurposes clothing in creative ways
If it's bouffons, she's got bouffons, if it's tat she got tat
She has a diverse collection of clothing and accessories
She got hoochie coochie Gucci and a pom-pom hat
She wears high-end and low-end items in a mix-and-match style
Well, her ma writes cook books, she wrote one once, and it sold one or two
Her mother is a cookbook author, but not especially successful
Her pa's in the city, he's so witty, he calls it the zoo
Her father has a sarcastic sense of humor about city life
Her boyfriend plays in Scritti Politti, Aunt Sally's brown bread
Her boyfriend is in a band, and someone in her family makes bread
In a few more years she can marry some fool and knock it on the head
She could settle down and marry someone unremarkable if she chooses
She hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
Despite her unique style, she lacks a true connection to a specific culture
She hasn't got a bone through her nose
She lacks physical markings of a specific culture
She hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
Her non-conformity might not be as authentic as she thinks
She hasn't got a bone through her nose
She doesn't possess a true tribal authenticity
She hasn't got a bone through her nose, through her nose
Her appearance may not reflect a genuine tribal identity
She hasn't got a bone through her nose
She doesn't have the physical markings of a true tribal member
She hasn't got a, Oh she hasn't got a, Oh
The refrain emphasizes that despite her unique style, she lacks a genuine tribal identity
Contributed by Keira W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul O'Dowd
Richard Thompson is such a vastly talented but also vastly underrated musician and songwriter - I love the fact that he uses an obscure medieval woodwind instrument called a shawm on this song - how many other people would have thought of using something like that? It sounds fantastic.
G J
I LOVE this version! THANKS!
Linda Norris
he is FABULOUS!
Ken G
Do you have more tracks from Daring Adventures such as Baby Talk? The album is not available on iTunes.
Steven Austin
Ken G I know I’d love this album on I tunes
37Dionysos
and 3 times now at the Club Chi Chi they've turned her away
malpal821
Or Valerie? I used to change the words to Mallori when singing!
juantailor
Ike Aramba thank you!
Ike Aramba
Sure. This is definitely a one-off. https://youtu.be/70MYX9TxL2o