Kate Bush - Babooshka vs Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Piña Colada Song)

Ha. Well, I don't think "Escape" is necessarily as unambiguously rosy as they're suggesting. Even Holmes thought the couple would have some chagrin as they tried to rekindle their relationship:

When asked what happens to the couple, Rupert told us, "I like to think that they looked at each other with chagrin and realized that before either one of them runs off to find some fantasy that probably doesn't exist in reality, they might reinvestigate their own relationship because there's a lot there they haven't yet explored. I think it's a happy ending with a footnote. They both are a little shocked, but neither can point the finger too hard at the other because they both were willing to try a new relationship and happily, their possible indiscretion led them to each other again."

(from Songfacts)

And they didn't know these things about each other because they are fantasies; they're not making love in the dunes of the cape every weekend or even drinking piña coladas in front of the TV after work. (The implication of the piña colada is that they're fantasizing about a tropical vacation, something the couple probably hasn't done in decades.)

If anything, I find "Babooshka" harder to understand. Why did the guy think he was receiving scented letters from some exotic woman with a grandmother's name? The wife was somehow able to disguise herself so well (as a sexy younger woman, no less) that her husband didn't recognize her? That said, the surrealism of the narrative is part of what I like about it.

the fuck is this

sorry sund4r, you know i like and respect you. didn't realize this was your poll at first.

but come on, kate bush is kate bush.

Used to think “Escape” was crepey, but than I decided he was taking a sophisticated look at this sort of thing. Just listened to “Babooshka.” Will ponder a while.

ok, babooshka just came on at my coffee shop

sorry sund4r, you know i like and respect you. didn't realize this was your poll at first.

but come on, kate bush is kate bush.

And Rupert Holmes is Rupert Holmes.

and I am Spartacus

If you know Spanish there’s a 70’s song called “Ramito de Violetas” which has been covered in different genres (personal favorite being the electrocumbia version from the 90’s by “ Mi Banda el Mexicano, since its a fun staple to play in parties) and could easily fit with these two songs theme wise.

Songs is about a failing marriage where the wife begins to receive love letters from a stranger who turns out to be his husband. He never says anything because it makes her happy to have a secret admirer.

and I am Spartacus

"Escape" is a better lyric, maybe even a good lyric? I like that the characters in it have weirdly awful nouveau riche tastes

Right, the lyric is gently mocking the characters’s romantic pretensions, or so it would seem.

I sang Escape at my 30th wedding anniversary party so I've got to vote for it. I have to say though the more I listened to it, the more it's plodding beat irritated me. Still better than Babooshka though.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

Went with "Escape" in the end.

any chance I get to vote against Kate Bush, I will take

that's more offensive than anything i remember gabbneb posting

any chance I get to vote against Kate Bush, I will take

your hate makes Kate Bush stronger

How does she stack up next to Paul Simon?

these two, alongside Bjork, make up the Troika of the Unduly Burdensome

God being 1000% rong is a helluva drug

skimread this thread and my god the challops

skimread this thread and my god the challops

...

There Goes a Tenner is an amazing song

agreed

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

Fair enough