Music Blog

Strings Attached

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Today’s theme at Song Lyric Sunday is all about songs that mention toys. Thanks to Barbara from teleportingweenaghostmmnc for the suggestion.

© Pinterest

“Come, I want to show you my playroom” He stands, holding out his hand. I let him lead me back out to the corridor. On the right of the double doors, where we came in, another door leads to a staircase. We go up to the second floor and turn right. Producing a key from his pocket, he unlocks yet another door and takes a deep breath. “You can leave anytime. It’s fine, whatever you decide.” I tell him to just open the damn door. He opens the door and stands back to let me in. I gaze at him once more. I so want to know what’s in there. Taking a deep breath, I walk in. The first thing I notice is the smell of leather. Suspended from the ceiling is an iron grid, eight foot square at least, and from it hang all manner of ropes, chains, shackles. There’s a startling assortment of paddles, whips, riding crops and funny-looking feathery implements. And it feels like I’ve time-traveled back to the sixteenth century and the Spanish Inquisition.”  ~ Excerpts from Chapters 6 & 7, Fifty Shades of Grey, Book 1

The book gets even more interesting …. so I’m told.

There are toys and then there are toys.

There’s a classic soul ballad that speaks to the powerlessness of love. The lyrics describe a person who is willing to do whatever their partner wants them to and be completely under their control. It’s a sensual, titillating, smooth song about the all-encompassing nature of love. But is it “love” or something else, something more? The singer expresses that he would do anything to make his partner happy and would go to any lengths to remain in the relationship. He is a toy, a puppet in her hands.

I wonder if there’s a “safe word” mentioned in the lyrics of this song. “Red” is a common safe word, while “pickle” and “radish” are also popular …. so I’m told. In this song the safe word would probably be “string”, but I’m just speculating.

My featured song for today is “I’m Your Puppet“, a song written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham. The best known version is the one recorded by James & Bobby Purify which reached #5 on the US R&B chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. The single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1967. The song was featured on their 1967 album, James & Bobby Purify.

The duo released a re-recorded version as a single in 1976 which reached #12 on the UK Singles Chart. The single ranked #46 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1976.

It’s been a long time since I heard this song but when the theme of “toys” was suggested, it was the first song I thought of – not “Red Rubber Ball” or “Pinball Wizard” or even “Puff The Magic Dragon”. And after listening …. really listening and reading the lyrics …. my eyebrows raised a few times. What’s going on here? Is it the sweet and charming song I thought it was almost 60 years ago? You be the judge.

From the album James & Bobby Purify, this is “I’m Your Puppet”.

Lyrics

Pull the string and I’ll wink at you, I’m your puppet
I’ll do funny things if you want me to, I’m your puppet

I’m yours to have and to hold
Darling you’ve got full control of your puppet

Pull another string and I’ll kiss your lips, I’m your puppet
Snap your finger and I’ll turn you some flips, I’m your puppet

Listen, your every wish is my command
All you gotta do is wiggle your little hand
I’m your puppet, I’m your puppet

I’m just a toy, just a funny boy
That makes you laugh when you’re blue
I’ll be wonderful, do just what I’m told
I’ll do anything for you
I’m your puppet, I’m your puppet

Pull them little strings and I’ll sing you a song, I’m your puppet
Make me do right or make me do wrong, I’m your puppet

Treat me good and I’ll do anything
I’m just a puppet and you hold my string, I’m your puppet

Darling, darling, pull the strings, let me sing you a song any day
I’m your puppet baby, you can sing for me all night long

Honey, yeah

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Dan Penn / Spooner Oldham
I’m Your Puppet lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Games and Playthings

Big thanks to Jim for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by. See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.

42 thoughts on “Strings Attached”

  1. This is one I’d thought of, too. Well, I remembered it and like it. I went with the Red Rubber Ball though. Now you got me thinking of different ways to interpret songs. Not the first time. When me and my friends would sing along to RRB back in the day we’d get the giggles, if you know what I mean. haha

    Anyway, good song choice! 🙂

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    1. Haha! I’m glad the “so I’m told” tongue-in-cheek comment was caught by you. Typing the passages from 50 Shades made me realize anew was slop that book really is!

      Just as I mentioned to Barbara, we can read between the lines for just about anything.

      Thanks for your comments, Michele.

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  5. Never interested in any shade of grey. i was going to go with this, but will try and think again before I retire.
    It’s been another long day. Good record though and |I never thought anything of it.

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  6. “Fifty Shades of Snore”: never made it beyond the first book.

    Yeah, a lot of those sweet old-timey songs seem a little sketchy when you start to think about the lyrics. Lol!

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    1. It’s innocent enough, as you say, Jim. I just had that question pop up in my head and figured I ‘dhave a little fun with it. Almost anything can be interpreted and/or believed in more ways than one if presented well. Just look at all those “Paul is dead” conspiracy videos; some are quite compelling. Just add a stock image of a forensics team and voila! Irrefutable facts!

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    1. I’m terrible about being barefoot. It’s a constant thing around the house. I learned my lesson about being barefoot outside when I stepped on a bee. That was a painful learning experience and I now keep a pair of sandals near the back door. 🐝

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    1. Just having a little fun with the audience, which I do from time to time.

      And I’m familiar with Noddy and Big Ears and also the adventures of Fritz the Cat! It’s all to get a laugh or a smile.

      But it truth, this was the first song I thought of.

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    2. A girlfriend of mine gave me all three 50 Shades books after she read them. I started reading the first one and thought it was hilarious; so poorly written and just laughable. I took a look again yesterday and was reminded how amateurish and juvenile the writing is. I never made it to the end of Book 1. 😂

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    1. Oh, the books are utter trash, CA and written so amateurishly. It’s laughable. I keep them on by bookcase next to the works of Shakespeare for a joke.

      A girlfriend of mine gave me all three books in the set and I couldn’t get beyond half of the first one. Just awful writing.

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  12. A great choice for this week , yes it is very dark but the trick is not to look too deep! There always more to lyrics if you look deep enough. I enjoyed listening again but then I listened superficially. Here’s another puppet song I have used it before so I went for a different toy this week.

    The lyrics here are just as dark! 💜💜💜💜

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    1. Really, the trick is not to take me seriously, lol! Just having a bit of fun today and this was the first song I thought about.

      I’m familiar with the song you posted but I’ve never seen the video. I think if I was Sandie Shaw, I’d be suffering from a huge case of claustrophobia right now!

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    1. This was the first song I thought of and listening to it with older years brought a whole bunch of randy thoughts to the forefront.

      Can’t wait to see your post!

      Settle down, people! Just having a bit of fun!

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