Neil Young News: Inappropriate Wedding Song #17: "A Man Needs A Maid"

Friday, September 18, 2009

Inappropriate Wedding Song #17: "A Man Needs A Maid"

Earlier this month when we posted on Emily Haines "The Maid Needs a Maid" it generated a fair amount of discussion on the meaning of Neil Young's song "A Man Need A Maid".

So when we came across this post, we have to admit that we found it pretty amusing.

It's a listing of the Top 20 Inappropriate Wedding Songs. Never Play These at a Reception!. And coming in at #17: "A Man Needs A Maid" by Neil Young.

Imagine that?!

Thankfully, modern gender roles are no longer as strongly defined as they once were. That having been said, brides who hear their new husbands request this song during the reception may have a few choice words for him during the limo ride to the airport.

More on the Top 20 Inappropriate Wedding Songs.

Thanks Sharon!

UPDATE: Just to clarify (for the irony impaired), there is no reason to believe that AMNAM is actually inappropriate if one bothers to analyze the song and its meaning. It's just another song that's widely misunderstood like this one.

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18 Comments:

At 9/18/2009 08:35:00 AM, Matthew Lintzenich said...: That's hilarious. Of course, if you follow the logic of the person who posted that eloquent review of the song a week or two ago, this actually becomes appropriate, as the song is a lament about loneliness and not admitting to oneself that you need love, and want a companion.

So the lyrics of the song reflect off the wedding in quite a meaningful way.
At 9/18/2009 09:27:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Hilarious!

I'm going to a wedding this weekend and i'll be on the lookout for these 20 songs.
At 9/18/2009 10:42:00 AM, Sue said...: This song is sexist and not funny.
At 9/18/2009 11:17:00 AM, Mother Nature on the Run said...: Hi Matt & Sue.

While we cannot deny the "sexist" attitude of gender roles in the song, let's all step back a minute and look at the situation.

California.

1967.

The song was written by an emotionally troubled, exhausted, and confused young man struggling with his new bizarre lifestyle whirling around him.

On one hand, he sees women who are fighting for equal opportunity and equal pay. On the other hand, he sees women using their sexuality for their own personal gain.

It was a very confusing time, I remember.
At 9/18/2009 02:08:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Ok, I know this song has already been discussed and disected to death (incidently I doubt if Neil intends his art to be analysed to this degree), but if you listen to the words of this song you hear the voice of a young man who`s been hurt and is scared (man is afraid), but who`s still searching for love "I fell in love with an actress", "when will I see you again?", and which originally goes straight into Heart of Gold. As for gender stereotypes, Neil was a hard working man (and still is) and I believe it`s quite reasonable for him to have wanted/needed some help round the house - as do many people who work. And, whether some people approve or not, that sort of work even nowadays is done by women usually because they want a few hours to fit round their family commitments. But of course this song is really so not about gender issues! I believe people who believe that are in the "PC gone mad" brigade. Sorry if you people think this is a load of rubbish! Just my opinion - for what it`s worth.

Jill (Rustington)
At 9/18/2009 02:53:00 PM, Mother Nature on the Run... said...: Really?

I honestly thought it was about how universally inept men are when it comes to cleaning up after the mess they made starting with the last few thousands years.

In any event, I think the song's title is appropriately placed at #17 of the top 20 songs a woman probably doesn't want played at her wedding. Can't dance to it so what's the point?
At 9/18/2009 03:38:00 PM, Sue said...: Seriously MNOTR?

I'd think this was in at least the Top 10 of offenders.

Did she wake you up to tell you that it was only a change of plan?
At 9/18/2009 04:04:00 PM, jill.waugh said...: Well I suppose Neil could have called the song "A Person Needs a Professional Cleaning Technician/Chef" but somehow I don`t think it would have worked. There is such a thing as poetic license. Are we really to take all (Neil`s) songs at face value? Lighten up folks - it`s a beautiful sensitive song! I do sometimes wonder whether some people on this site actually listen to Neil`s music.

Jill (Rustington)
At 9/18/2009 05:39:00 PM, Mother Nature on the Run said...: Really?

I don't think we're talking about politically correct sensibilities and artist license.

What are you talking about?
At 9/18/2009 08:23:00 PM, papakin81 said...: Sexist as some think it might be it is a great song. Seems to me there are a few angry women out there with very low self esteem problems. At least Jill (Rustington) understood the song, and is not offended.

I don't need a maid, but I need my Bride. She cleans and cooks for me, and has for the past 20+ years. I don't need a maid, but I sure do love mine, and wouldn't trade her for the world by any name. It's good to be King.

This goes without saying, we all know welfare mothers make better lovers. 'LOL'
At 9/18/2009 11:33:00 PM, Mother Nature on the Run said...: Papakin81,

Apparently the only women suffering from low self esteem in our country appear to be the ones who continue to find themselves victimized by domestic violence.

Hopefully, it's not only women who get angry about this. I know you, Papakin81, would get angry if it was your daughter or niece or neighbor girl.

Give that "Bride" of yours a big hug tonight and thank her for putting up with you.
At 9/19/2009 12:31:00 AM, Mother Nature on the Run said...: Dear Papakin,

I'm not reading any anger in any of the comments here so you must be referring to women who are victimized by domestic violence and social inequities in general both of which have the tendency to wear away a women's self esteem.
At 9/19/2009 01:31:00 PM, papakin81 said...: Mother Nature, you are the only one with the problem that I can see. Read your own statements. You are the one who is angry. The song is 40 years old.
I showed this to my wife and her friends and they were laughing telling me you must be very frustrated. For you say Neil was a confused young man is ridiculous, he knew exactly what he was saying,you just want to read way to far into it. Plenty of songs about woman who want a man around the house, but that's OK.
Mission accomplished, I gotta a rise out of you as I expected to. You must be one of these broads " I know you'll like that term" who searches the blogs for male chauvinists to get into heated debates over arguments that can't be won.
Remember no-one wins an argument on the net. It is perpetual.
Mother nature on the run I guess I got you gun so to speak. I love it.
P.S,.- it is only fair to lets us all know what your sexual orientation is so we can really know what your agenda is.
LOL, lol
If I offended ony one else that was not my intention, I just don't believe this girl understands Neil at all.
At 9/19/2009 04:51:00 PM, dr dip said...: Awh, C'mon Thrash its time to publish "the Aussie version"..I think its becoming very appropriate in the context of where this threads heading.. don't you think?
C'mon, rock the boat a little! what have you got to lose?...Your credibility?

Germaine Greer
At 9/19/2009 07:53:00 PM, Mother Nature on the Run said...: Dear Papakin,

Honestly, I'm not reading any anger in any of the comments here.

My comment was directed at clearing up the assumption you made that if a women is angry or offering her opinion or if she doesn't like a particular song, she must be suffering from low esteem.

I'm only sorry I have to point it out to you, again.
At 9/21/2009 08:00:00 AM, SONY said...: "Did she wake you up to tell you that it was only a change of plan?"

That line is a reference to Carrie's mother who was faking suicide regularly and driving everybody nuts. Head in the oven stuff.

"Just someone to keep my house clean, fix my meals and go away."

I do that for my wife! ( I don't go away though, at least not yet). I learned it from my mother! BFD
At 9/22/2009 09:55:00 PM, dr dip said...: Thrash, your censoring really baffles and intrigues me.
Things that I think are totally relevant, on topic or somewhat amusing be it me or anyone else, you'll veto, and yet other inane, whimsical comments, you'll let through to the keeper.
go figure..either way it,s always fun to visit and I've just learnt to accept my limitations.

dip
At 12/10/2009 07:27:00 AM, cristian said...: Sometimes people have a lot of spare time and they get bored. When people get bored, the brain isn't working at itf full potential and that why reviews about certain songs appear, but nobody bothers to actually analyze the text of the song and its purpose.
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