Peaches
The Stranglers and Friends Lyrics
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Well there goes a girl and a half
She's got me going up and down
She's got me going up and down
Walking on the beaches looking at the peaches
Well I got the notion girl that you got some suntan lotion in that bottle of yours
That feels real good
All this skirt lappin' up the sun
Lap me up
Why don't you come on and lap me up?
Walking on the beaches looking at the peaches
Well, there goes another one just lying down on the sand dunes
I'd better go take a swim and see if I can cool down a little bit
'Cause you and me, woman
We got a lotta things on our minds (you know what I mean)
Walking on the beaches looking at the peaches
Will you just take a look over there (where?) (there)
Is she tryin' to get outta that Clitares?
Liberation for women
That's what I preach (preacher man)
Walking on the beaches looking at the peaches
Oh shit!
There goes the charabang
Looks like I'm gonna be stuck here the whole summer
Well, what a bummer
I can think of a lot worse places to be
Like down in the streets
Or down in the sewer
Or even on the end of a skewer
Down on the beaches, just looking at the peaches
Down on the beaches, just looking at brown bodies
Down on the beaches, just looking at all the shot glasses
Down on the beaches, just looking at all the peaches
Down on the beaches, just looking at all the peaches
Down on the beaches, just looking at all the peaches
Down on the beaches
Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm
Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm
Mmm-hmm
Mmm-hmm
Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm
The lyrics of The Stranglers' song "Peaches" depicts a man who is walking on the beach, enjoying the scenery of sun-tanned, attractive women lying on the sand. He expresses his desire to be with one of them who has suntan lotion in her bottle, asking her to spread it on his peeling skin. He also notices a woman trying to free herself from her bikini, saying "Liberation for women, that's what I preach." As his day at the beach comes to an end, he sees a bus leaving and realizes he will be stuck there for the whole summer. However, he concludes that it's not such a bad place to be and continues to admire the women.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a reflection of the male gaze in society, which objectifies women as sexual objects. The man in the song is solely focused on the physicality of the women he sees, reducing them to their bodies and ignoring any other qualities they might possess. Additionally, the mention of "liberation for women" can be seen as an ironic nod to the feminist movement of the time, as the man's behavior suggests he is not interested in women's liberation or equality.
Line by Line Meaning
Strolling along minding my own business
I was peacefully walking when I saw something unexpected
Well there goes a girl and a half
I saw an incredibly attractive woman
She's got me going up and down
She's making me feel excited and nervous
Walking on the beaches looking at the peaches
I'm walking on the beach, admiring the beautiful bodies of the women
Well I got the notion girl that you got some suntan lotion in that bottle of yours
I have a feeling that you have some lotion with you
Spread it all over my peelin' skin, baby
Can you put some of that lotion on my sunburned skin?
That feels real good
Thank you for making me feel better
All this skirt lappin' up the sun
The women are enjoying the sun in their short skirts
Lap me up
I'm also enjoying the sun, please join me
Why don't you come on and lap me up?
Would you like to enjoy the sun with me?
Well, there goes another one just lying down on the sand dunes
Another woman has just arrived and is relaxing on the sand dunes
I'd better go take a swim and see if I can cool down a little bit
It's getting hot, I need to take a swim to cool off
'Cause you and me, woman
You and I have a lot in common
We got a lotta things on our minds (you know what I mean)
We both have a lot of thoughts and desires
Will you just take a look over there?
Can you look over there for a moment?
(where?) (there)
Over there, where that woman is
Is she tryin' to get outta that Clitares?
Is she trying to get out of that swimsuit?
Liberation for women
Women should be free to wear what they want
That's what I preach (preacher man)
I strongly believe in women's freedom and equality
Oh shit!
Oh no!
There goes the charabang
The bus has just left without me
Looks like I'm gonna be stuck here the whole summer
I'm going to be here for the entire summer
Well, what a bummer
That's disappointing
I can think of a lot worse places to be
I'm still enjoying the beach, despite being stuck here
Like down in the streets
Being on the streets would be worse
Or down in the sewer
Being in the sewer would be worse
Or even on the end of a skewer
Being cooked on a skewer would be worse
Down on the beaches, just looking at the peaches
I'm still enjoying the view of the women's bodies
Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm
Mumbling sound expressing contentment and pleasure
Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm
Mumbling sound expressing contentment and pleasure
Mmm-hmm
Mumbling sound expressing contentment and pleasure
Mmm-hmm
Mumbling sound expressing contentment and pleasure
Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm
Mumbling sound expressing contentment and pleasure
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN JOHN DUFFY, DAVID GREENFIELD, HUGH ALAN CORNWELL, JEAN JACQUES BURNEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fiona-Jayne Massie
This is AMAZING! I love Ian Dury's energy.
Louis Lygo
Great to hear this. I was at this my second ever gig. My first being the J J Burrell euroman cometh tour, I eagerly awaiting attending the rainbow to see the stranglers in full. First the news of Hugh's being held at her majesty's pleasure disappointed but the reading the news of the collected lineup I was super excited. The support of joy division was for me a trip ask loved them. From the moment they arrived on stage to Ian Curtiss fit on stage I left my seat and never returned both in mind and body, It was brilliant. From then on the stranglers and the collected motley crew poured delight upon delight. I remember nice and sleazy due to the prancing judge and policewoman strippers, and the rest of the set list implanted itself into my personal memory as a constant reminder of the power of friends. The stranglers are one of the joys of sound and music who still have the power to move. Great to hear this after so many years.
SteveRes
Wow Louis, so cool you attended one of the Euroman gigs. Did Burnel's bring his Triumph on stage for Triumph Of The Good City? I'm sooo jealous
TheSilversurfer61
I was there too.Remember Ian Curtis having a fit and the band played on...!The audience was incredible.Hitchiked all the way from Germany to see this!
Gavin Bushong
man, I wish there was a video of this, however I do appreciate the audio...thanks!
Susanne Werner
I was there. Greatest concert of my life. Joy Division was support. Ian Curtis was carried off the stage.
Spidvod
At the time I thought Ian Dury was the best Hugh "stand in" on the night. And I clearly recall seeing Ian Curtis having his on stage fit. And both events happened at this gig?
Saves me checking my 1980 diary as I only saw Joy Division the once. RIP dudes.
Little Ghost Films
Ian Dury and the Stranglers together? Excellent!
Lightning gaming
Classic....absolute classic...
pkarlicek
Superb,I have no words!