# Elton John's "Island Girl" - or, Songs You See Differently Now **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 30, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639 "2016-03-30T15:05:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/21 "2016-03-31T18:52:44Z")
It’s about a transvestite jamaican hooker. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/22 "2016-03-31T20:17:38Z")
I always end up seeing Grace Jones in my head when I hear this song. (Very tall, very dark, Jamaican, attitude) ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/23 "2016-03-31T21:21:25Z")
I used to think “Father Figure” by George Michael was about a reverse May/December romance. A decade passed and I really listened to the lyrics. Well, look at that, it’s a song about pedophiia. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/24 "2016-04-01T18:57:28Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I used to think “Father Figure” by George Michael was about a reverse May/December romance. A decade passed and I really listened to the lyrics. Well, look at that, it’s a song about pedophiia. :smack: What makes you think that?I mean, I can see it as either one so just wondering what made you look at it differently. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2016, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/25 "2016-04-01T19:39:59Z")
[QUOTE=PunditLisa] I used to think “Father Figure” by George Michael was about a reverse May/December romance. A decade passed and I really listened to the lyrics. Well, look at that, it’s a song about pedophiia. [/QUOTE] > [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > What makes you think that?I mean, I can see it as either one so just wondering what made you look at it differently. I have _always_ thought “Father Figure” was a creepy song (and the only one by George Michael I like but that’s another thread) even without the pedophilia angle. It is about a May/December relationship but it’s an exploitive one with the singer being an obsessive Svengali type or (worse) a pimp. I remember the video for the song making this even more clear (but that could be a case of YMMV). ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/26 "2016-04-01T19:55:26Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > I have _always_ thought “Father Figure” was a creepy song (and the only one by George Michael I like but that’s another thread) even without the pedophilia angle. It is about a May/December relationship but it’s an exploitive one with the singer being an obsessive Svengali type or (worse) a pimp. I remember the video for the song making this even more clear (but that could be a case of YMMV). Yes, I’ve always felt the same way (and I like it also, despite it creeper factor). Guess I was just wondering which specific part made **PunditLisa** thinks it’s sung from the viewpoint of a pedo. I don’t remember the video; had GM come out as gay at that point? ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2016, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/27 "2016-04-01T20:38:24Z")
_She Works Hard For The Money_ - Donna Summer Now in my defense I was a kid and had NO idea what a hooker was. The upbeat tempo completely obscures the lyrics. Pretty sad second verse. _Onetta there in the corner stands And she wonders where she is. And the rain still hurts, Some people seem to have everything. Nine a.m. on the hour hand And she’s waiting for the bell. And she’s looking real pretty. She’s waiting for her clientele._ ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/28 "2016-04-01T21:35:44Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Yes, I’ve always felt the same way (and I like it also, despite it creeper factor). Guess I was just wondering which specific part made **PunditLisa** thinks it’s sung from the viewpoint of a pedo. I don’t remember the video; had GM come out as gay at that point? No, Michael came out years later after an embarrassing arrest in a public park restroom. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/29 "2016-04-11T00:07:03Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Yes, I’ve always felt the same way (and I like it also, despite it creeper factor). Guess I was just wondering which specific part made **PunditLisa** thinks it’s sung from the viewpoint of a pedo. I don’t remember the video; had GM come out as gay at that point? No, I don’t think he’d come out as gay, but that’s irrelevant because, while the gender isn’t specifically mentioned, it could very well be an adult male lusting after a female child. How do I get to this conclusion? Well, first, we have the constant “father” and “child” theme, including the title and chorus, with its constant, deliberate use of the word “baby”: “(Baby) I will be your father figure (Oh baby) Put your tiny hand in mine (I’d love to) I will be your preacher teacher (Be your daddy)” Then we have these lyrics: "Greet me with the eyes of a child"and “Put your tiny hand in mine.” combined with not one, but two references of it being a crime: “I have had enough of crime.” then “Sometimes love can be mistaken for a crime.” It’s not against the law to have sex with a younger person, or a married person, so what else could he be referring to here? It could be just a minor a la “If I Could Fly,” but I think it’s pretty clear he’s talking about a child. > **[George Michael - Father Figure lyrics | LyricsFreak](https://www.lyricsfreak.com/g/george+michael/father+figure_20059259.html)** > > Read or print original Father Figure lyrics 2024 updated! That's all I wanted / Something special something sacred - / In your eyes / For Creeper! ---
**Author:** ![Abner\_Ravenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c4cdca/32.png) [@Abner\_Ravenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abner_Ravenwood)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/30 "2016-04-11T15:59:15Z")
I didn’t know Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind was about doing crystal meth until a few years ago. Don’t You Want Me Baby by the Human League is very creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/31 "2016-04-13T03:56:33Z")
I liked [Your Love](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N1iwQxiHrs) by The Outfield when it first came out, but didn’t pay attention to the lyrics: Josie’s on a vacation far away Come around and talk it over [talk what over? the fact that Josie’s on vacation?] So many things that I wanna say You know I like my girls a little bit older [ew] I just wanna use your love tonight [eeeeeew] Somehow life was easier when I didn’t listen to the lyrics of songs. Now I have to keep my hand near the station button when listening to the radio, because there are songs I can’t listen to anymore without cringing internally, and this is one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Lorne\_Armstrong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@Lorne\_Armstrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorne_Armstrong)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2016, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/32 "2016-04-13T06:19:42Z")
When I realized that Jailhouse Rock is about homosexuality. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2016, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/33 "2016-04-13T10:32:15Z")
I always assumed “Smackwater Jack” was Carole King trying to one-up Jim Croce’s “Bad Bad Leroy Brown,” but it turns out hers was recorded two years earlier. “Island Girl”: I had a girlfriend who was 6’3" (she played basketball), so… ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2016, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/34 "2016-04-13T12:32:47Z")
> [@Abner\_Ravenwood](#): > > Don’t You Want Me Baby by the Human League is very creepy. Really? It sounds to me like a tiff between an artist and her manager. He (thinks) he was the reason for her success, but now she’s going elsewhere. She (thinks) she would have succeeded without him, and now it’s time to move on. I certainly can’t find anything hinting at a sexual relationship other that the line “I still love you.” That can possibly hint that the relationship wasn’t entirely professional, but that’s not exactly creepy; they woman seems to be an adult and there’s not indication he’s that much older than she is. ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/35 "2016-04-15T14:29:30Z")
> [@Lorne\_Armstrong](#): > > When I realized that Jailhouse Rock is about homosexuality. Yeah, but it’s not easy getting it on with a wooden chair. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/36 "2016-04-15T15:00:20Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > And one line puzzles me: _He one more gone, he one more John who make the mistake._ Whoa. Is the Island Girl killing her clients? Is her Black Boy following her around and offing the dudes who hire her? That would be quite a bizarre twist ending to the song. I don’t think its anything that violent; more likely _she’s_ the one who gets farther gone with each encounter. But then, why is it the John who made the mistake? I’m sure I’m overthinking it. I always thought it meant that she was so…let’s say “alluring” … that once a client had had sex with her he would be obsessed with her. So he would be “gone” in that he would be unable to stop thinking about her. But perhaps I’m just being overly romantic about it. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639/37 "2016-04-15T15:16:12Z")
> [@Lorne\_Armstrong](#): > > When I realized that Jailhouse Rock is about homosexuality. It’s more about words that rhyme unless Lieber & Stoller had a hidden gay subtext intended (they didn’t). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elton-johns-island-girl-or-songs-you-see-differently-now/750639.md?page=1)