Lawrence the Head (LH Mansplaining Overhaul)

from Machine (feat. Laura Hickli) by Out of the Swim

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lyrics

I need to go outside, take a walk in the night
to find myself in questioning if I have my head screwed on right
I need to take a break, get some air, have a breathe
I'm tired of hearing men explain what men explaining sounds like

(When a man mansplains something to a woman, he interrupts or speaks over her to explain something that she already knows.
Something she may already be an expert in, on the assumption that he must know more than she does.
In many cases the explanation has to do specifically with things that are unique to women, their bodies, their experiences, their lives.)

(The chief distinction in the intellectual powers of the two sexes is shewn by a man's attaining to a higher eminence,
in whatever he takes up, than (women can attain) - whether requiring deep thought, reason, or imagination,
or merely the use of the senses and hands.)

A can of Rider beer recommends for a man: daily dosage 3 or 4
But I, as a woman can't handle 2 or
Maybe I won't get home
If alone, underclothed
If only I was tough enough
to teach a man how not to teach me

Take my hand, lead me on. What if I'm not safe without you?
Strong, pushy heady man. What if I'm not heard without you?
I need your voice to amplify my tongue
Need your head to validate my choice
My choices, what am I? Oh, I am just a woman.

(Do not any longer contend for mastery, for power, money or praise.
Be content to be a private, insignificant person, known and loved by God and me.
Attempt no more to abridge me of the liberty which I claim by the laws of God and man.
Leave me to be governed by God and my own conscience.
Then shall I govern you with gentle sway, and show that I do indeed love you.)

I spent years listening, now it is time you listen back
I spent my life obeying, making up for all you lack
I'm sick of feeling stupid when it you who spun me 'round
I will not play the lesser and you don't need to be so proud

(Well, I wasn't too sure how to handle it.
If you said I should, I'm not sure if I would or could.
And if it all goes wrong, I'm in trouble, like, with myself.
So I spoke to Lawrence the Head and he said it would all be okay.
But I'm not so sure.)

credits

from Machine (feat. Laura Hickli), released October 16, 2020
Vocals and backing vocals by Laura Hickli
Voices by Eric Jessee and Dickson Telfer
Cello by Susan Appelbe
Guitars by Bryan Dignan
Drums by David Dowell
Mixed and mastered by Out of the Swim at Homegrown Productions, Larbert
Photograph by Danielle Desormeaux

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Out of the Swim Falkirk, UK

Scottish Indietronica / Collaborators

"You'll still hear something different after a hundred listens." - Dominik Diamond

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