Good evening. Briks suggested tonight's entertainment. His recommendation...
The Smiths - The Headmaster Ritual
This is a masterful set of lyrics. Though each line is rather short, it's not to he point of being choppy, and they get their point across, complet with a pince of Roald Dahl-esque dark humour.
The Headmaster Ritual is told from the point of view of a student at one of those English schools always mentioned in books, where speaking out of line results in a stiff caning. The student has obviously experienced a few of those beatings, and isn't too pleased with the headmaster or the cane. It sound to me as if the chap is taking a beating at the hands of his mates, as the headmaster would likely not be kicking boys in the shower, as mentioned in the last verse. I don't know if corporal punishment was a political issue at the time of the song's release (1985), but that would seem to be the
The Headmaster Ritual's message.
9/10. I will definitely be checking out some more of this band's work. Thank-you, Briks!
I won't be posting tomorrow, for one of two reasons. Depending on how things swing, I will either be too happy or too upset to write. So until Monday, good night.