Clairo – “Blouse” – Sling
Clairo has this absolutely beautiful voice, backing vocals care of Lorde , with these gorgeous violin and cello parts accenting the rhythm guitar. This a lovely piece of music, relaxing and intense at the same time.
Here we are
Quiet at your kitchen table
With courtesy to little pet peeves
Napkins on laps strands pulled back
I hang the scarf and my mom’s anorak
Why do I tell you how I feel?
When you’re just looking down the blouse
It’s something I wouldn’t say out loud
If touch could make them hear
Then touch me now
If touch could make them hear
Then touch me now
Talking to
Some who laugh and others scorned
I guess humour could help me after all
It’s funny now I’m just useless and a whore
But I get a co-sign from your favourite one-man show
Why do I tell you how I feel?
When you’re too busy looking down my blouse
It’s something I wouldn’t say out loud
If touch could make them hear
Then touch me now
If touch could make them hear
Then touch me now
If touch could make them hear
Then touch me now
The wonderful point of this song is how she graces the words with such beauty, yet the words are a strange mix of an attack on misogynist actions. She is unable to address the discomfort she experiences and wishes that the stares of her companion would touch her, maybe s/he could here her thoughts. Clairo has a gift for taking a common occurrence and making a statement about objectification and a woman’s inability to address the uncomfortable situation.