Look At Me
Stockard Channing Lyrics
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Lousy with virginity
Won't go to bed
'Til I'm legally wed
I can't, I'm Sandra Dee
Watch it, hey, I'm Doris Day
I was not brought up that way
Even Rock Hudson lost
His heart to Doris Day
I don't drink or swear
I don't rat my hair
I get ill from one cigarette
Keep your filthy paws off my silky drawers
Would you pull that crap with Annette
As for you, Troy Donahue
I know what you wanna do
You got your crust
I'm no object of lust
I'm just plain Sandra Dee
Elvis, Elvis, let me be
Keep that pelvis far from me
Just keep your cool
Now you're starting to drool
Hey, fungu, I'm Sandra Dee
The lyrics to "Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee" by Stockard Channing, from the musical "Grease," are a satirical commentary on the societal expectations placed on women in the 1950s. The character of Sandra Dee is portrayed as a stereotypical "good girl" who is uptight, repressed, and obedient to traditional values. She is obsessed with maintaining her virginity until marriage and adhering to strict moral codes of behavior. She sees herself as a virtuous woman and stands in judgment of those who deviate from her beliefs.
In the song, Sandra Dee compares herself to other famous Hollywood actresses of the time, including Doris Day and Annette Funicello, who were known for their wholesome, girl-next-door personas. By doing so, she highlights the absurdity of the expectations placed on women to conform to narrow, idealized notions of femininity. She refuses to drink, swear, or engage in casual sex, and she recoils at the suggestion that she might be interested in anything other than being a good wife and mother. She resists the advances of Troy Donahue and Elvis Presley, whom she sees as lascivious and threatening to her virtue.
Overall, the song is a witty and subversive critique of the gender roles that were prevalent in the 1950s. It exposes the hypocrisy and double standards that existed for women of that era and challenges the notion that a woman's worth is based solely on her sexual purity.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee
I am Sandra Dee, and I want people to pay attention to me
Lousy with virginity
I am still a virgin despite my age
Won't go to bed
I will not have sex before marriage
Till I'm legally wed
I will only have sex after getting married
I can't, I'm Sandra Dee
I am true to my values, and I won't change
Watch it, hey, I'm Doris Day
Like Doris Day, I maintain my innocence and don't take part in inappropriate behaviors
I was not brought up that way
My upbringing instilled morals and values that I uphold
Won't come across
I will not compromise my values
Even Rock Hudson lost
I am a woman of my convictions and even famous men like Rock Hudson can't change my mind
His heart to Doris Day
Doris Day's purity and innocence captivated Rock Hudson's heart
I don't drink or swear
I uphold high standards of behavior and avoid any behavior that would compromise my values
I don't rat my hair
I do not have a wild or flamboyant hairstyle
I get ill from one cigarette
Even just one cigarette is repulsive to me and makes me feel sick
Keep your filthy paws off my silky drawers
I value my modesty and will not allow anyone to disrespect my boundaries
Would you pull that crap with Annette
I am respected and will not tolerate any behavior that would degrade me, just as you would not disrespect Annette Funicello
As for you, Troy Donahue
Troy Donahue, your advances are not welcome
I know what you wanna do
Your intentions are clear, but they are not in line with my values
You got your crust
You are bold, but I am not interested
I'm no object of lust
I do not want to be seen as a sexual object
I'm just plain Sandra Dee
I am a simple, pure and innocent person, and I want to be respected for these traits
Elvis, Elvis, let me be
I do not want any sexual attention from Elvis Presley or anyone else
Keep that pelvis far from me
I do not want any inappropriate behavior or gestures from Elvis Presley or any other man
Just keep your cool
Stay calm and respectful in my presence
Now you're starting to drool
Your inappropriate behavior is becoming apparent and making me uncomfortable
Hey, fungu, I'm Sandra Dee
I am Sandra Dee, and I demand respect for my values and standards
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind