Silverstein's passion for music was clear early on as he studied for a while at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. As a songwriter, Silverstein kept a low profile but cast a long shadow. He tended to shun publicity and even photographers. Nonetheless, his musical output included many songs which were hits for other artists. Most notably, he wrote the music and lyrics for "A Boy Named Sue" that was performed by Johnny Cash (for which he won a Grammy in 1970); "One's on the Way" (which was a hit for Loretta Lynn), and "The Unicorn Song" which, despite having nothing to do with Ireland nor Irish culture, became the signature piece for The Irish Rovers in 1968 and is popular in pubs all over the world to this day. He wrote the lyrics and music for most of the Dr. Hook songs, including "Cover of the Rolling Stone", "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball", "Sylvia's Mother", and the cautionary song about VD, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most". He also wrote many of the songs performed by Bobby Bare, including "Marie Laveau", "Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe", "The Mermaid", "The Winner", and "Tequila Sheila". The song "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan",] recorded in 1979 by Marianne Faithfull and later featured in the films Montenegro and Thelma & Louise, was also by Silverstein.
My Masochistic Baby
Shel Silverstein Lyrics
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I got nothin' to hit but the wall.
She loved me when I beat her,
But I started actin' sweeter,
And that was no way to treat her at all.
Yes, she is the one that I'm dreamin' of,
And you always hurt the one you love.
And ever since my Masochistic Baby went and left me,
Nothin' to beat but the eggs
Nothin' to belt but my pants
Nothin' to whip but the cream
Nothin' to punch but the clock
Nothin' to strike but a match.
The lyrics of "My Masochistic Baby" by Shel Silverstein tell the story of a man who lost the love of his life because of his abusive behavior towards her. He acknowledges that his baby was a masochist who enjoyed being physically hurt by him, but he failed to recognize that it was not a healthy dynamic for their relationship. He regrets treating her badly and laments that he has nothing left to hit but the wall, implying that his life has lost all meaning since she left. The line "you always hurt the one you love" suggests that the man was not intentionally trying to harm his partner but rather acted out of a misguided belief that she enjoyed it.
The song is a commentary on the complex and often misunderstood world of BDSM and power dynamics in relationships. It raises the question of whether it is possible for two consenting adults to engage in activities that are seen as abusive to an outsider, and whether it is healthy or harmful. The lyrics are written in a humorous and satirical tone, but the underlying message is poignant and thought-provoking. It warns against the dangers of assuming that someone's behavior is acceptable just because it appears to be consensual.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, ever since my Masochistic Baby went and left me
I have been feeling empty and lonely since my masochistic girlfriend left me
I got nothin' to hit but the wall.
I am frustrated and angry because I have nothing to take my aggression out on, except the wall
She loved me when I beat her,
My girlfriend enjoyed being physically abused by me
But I started actin' sweeter,
I changed my behavior and started treating her with kindness
And that was no way to treat her at all.
I realized that my violent behavior towards her was wrong and started treating her with respect
Yes, she is the one that I'm dreamin' of,
I still long for her and can't get her out of my head
And you always hurt the one you love.
It's a common occurrence that we end up causing hurt to the people we care for the most
Nothin' to beat but the eggs
I am left with nothing to thrash around except for eggs in the kitchen
Nothin' to belt but my pants
I have no choice but to use my own pants as a punching bag
Nothin' to whip but the cream
The only thing I have to take out my frustration on is the cream
Nothin' to punch but the clock
I am reduced to venting my anger only at the clock while waiting for time to pass
Nothin' to strike but a match.
All I can do is light a match and watch it burn away
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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