Just before the weekend I thought I would show my commitment to songs with swears by putting together another installment of Sweary Songs.

Today’s Sweary Marys are a couple of young women who clearly have issues with their parents.

Sweary Song No. 3

“A Better Son/Daughter” by Rilo Kiley

This is my second favourite Rilo Kiley song. My favourite Rilo Kiley song is “Portions For Foxes”. “Portions For Foxes” is a quote from Psalm 63. Those that try to destroy my soul will die by the sword and “מנת שעלים יהיו” (“they will become portions for foxes”). Nice one Jenny!

The Execution Of All Things

A Better Son/Daughter is almost as good. It starts innocently enough with Jenny Lewis’s voice barely audible over the radio. Reading the lyrics doesn’t help a whole lot. Clearly there is some crazy mother-daughter relationship stuff going here that I can barely understand. As the song builds the marching band that has been playing along in the background explodes and Lewis drops a couple of giant effbombs. I don’t think there are actual bagpipes playing but there are still hints of “Mull Of Kintyre” as the drama plays out:

You’ll fight and you’ll make it through
You’ll fake it if you have to
And you’ll show up for work with a smile
And you’ll be be better you’ll be smarter
More grown up and a better daughter
Or son and a real good friend

Sweary Song No. 4

“B.M.F.A.” by Martha Wainwright

I’ve always loved the name Martha. Do you realise that the mothers of both Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne were called Martha? That can’t be a coincidence. Anyway, this is one of the angriest songs I have ever heard sung by one of the sweetest voices ever recorded.

Martha Wainwright by Martha Wainwright

You’re going to have to listen to the song all the way through to find out what the initials stand for, but I promise you won’t be disappointed. Martha Wainwright’s “B.M.F.A.” delivers the expletives big time. And to make it worse, she’s singing it all to her father, Loudon Wainwright III. Sheesh, he must have really ticked her off to turn her into such a potty mouth.

I will not pretend
I will not put on a smile
I will not say I’m all right for you
When all I wanted was to be good
To do everything in truth

Until next time…