Not to be confused with Canadian rock and roll pioneer Ronnie Hawkins
Taboo
Ron Hawkins Lyrics
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Can I hang around a while?
Scratch that itch and burn and twitch
And dangle from your smile
'Cause when you dance like Salome
With my head upon your tray
You're a devil spawn in blue chiffon
You get up close beside me
And I get a heart attack
The angels have all gone to find me
And they're never, never coming back
I'd hate to deceive her
I said I'd never leave her
I click the hammer on my .45
When she clicks the receiver
Loving you is so taboo
An emotional tattoo
Burnin', wailin', heads and tailin'
What am I gonna do?
'Cause loving you is so taboo
An emotional tattoo
Burnin', wailin', heart is a failin'
What am I gonna do?
In Ron Hawkins's song Taboo, the singer is helplessly drawn to a woman who exudes danger, sensuality, and a certain wickedness that he finds attractive. The first verse introduces the woman's dangerous nature with the metaphor of a "gallows in [her] eyes." Despite the warning sign, the singer wants to stay and explore her aura of danger, to "scratch that itch and burn and twitch/And dangle from [her] smile." The second verse compares the woman to Salome, a biblical figure who danced provocatively and demanded the head of John the Baptist, and to Doris Day, a symbol of wholesome, innocent femininity. The juxtaposition of the two reveals the woman's ability to evoke both sex and violence, both heaven and hell. The chorus repeats the theme of taboo, suggesting that loving the woman is like getting a permanent ink on one's skin - painful, addictive, and forbidden.
The third verse adds a new layer to the relationship between the singer and the woman. He realizes that he is in danger of losing himself completely to her, to the point where even angels cannot help him escape. But he is also aware that he is deceiving her, promising not to leave her while contemplating shooting her with his gun when she answers the phone. This paradoxical act suggests that the singer feels both desire and fear towards the woman, unable to resist her pull but also aware of the potential harm she poses to him. The final chorus repeats the dilemma of being drawn to a taboo love, highlighting the physical and emotional toll the singer is paying for it.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a gallows in your eyes
Your eyes are a sign of death or punishment, but I still find myself drawn to you.
Can I hang around a while?
Can I stay close to you despite your ominous presence?
Scratch that itch and burn and twitch
I feel a restless desire for you that won't go away.
And dangle from your smile
I'm willing to endure pain and discomfort, just to see you smile.
'Cause when you dance like Salome
Your seductive dance reminds me of the biblical story of Salome, who demanded the head of John the Baptist.
With my head upon your tray
I feel like your willing sacrifice, like John's head on Salome's tray.
You're a devil spawn in blue chiffon
You seem innocent and beautiful, but I know there's something dark and dangerous about you.
A Satanic Doris Day
You're like the Hollywood sweetheart Doris Day, but with a sinister twist.
You get up close beside me
When you're near me, I feel both excited and afraid.
And I get a heart attack
You fill me with a mix of joy and terror that leaves me gasping for air.
The angels have all gone to find me
I feel forsaken and alone, as if even the heavenly beings have abandoned me in my obsession with you.
And they're never, never coming back
I fear that I've lost touch with any sense of morality or goodness, and will never be able to find my way back.
I'd hate to deceive her
I don't want to lie to you, even though I know our love is dark and wrong.
I said I'd never leave her
I'm committed to you, even though I know our love is dangerous and could lead to ruin.
I click the hammer on my .45
I'm preparing myself for a potential moment of violence, should things go wrong between us.
When she clicks the receiver
If you were to betray me, I would respond with immediate and severe force.
Loving you is so taboo
Our love is forbidden and dangerous, but I can't help myself.
An emotional tattoo
Our love has left a permanent mark on my heart and soul.
Burnin', wailin', heads and tailin'
My emotions are out of control, like a wild animal thrashing around in agony.
What am I gonna do?
I'm lost in my obsession with you, and don't know how to escape.
'Cause loving you is so taboo
I can't shake this feeling that our love is twisted and wrong, but it only makes me more obsessed.
Burnin', wailin', heart is a failin'
My love for you is consuming me, and my heart feels like it's about to give out under the strain.
What am I gonna do?
I'm trapped in this intense, dangerous love, and I don't know how to break free.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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