While defining “stiff upper lip” songs proved difficult for some of our RRegulars, others replied that it was a quintessentially British trait. Our opening three songs seem to provide ammunition to both sides. Ira Gershwin wrote that a stiff upper lip was “what made Queen Bess such a great success, what made Wellington do what he did at Waterloo”. Jake Thackray, more domestically, offered to “be nice to your mother … although she always gets up me nose, I love you very much”. Fine exhibits, but rather lacking in definition. Thackray fan Morrissey, in his last recording with the Smiths, helps out: he has a stiff upper lip because, “Hate, love and war force emotions to the fore, but not for me, of course, of course I keep mine hidden.” Of course? Of course you do Steven!
“Maintaining one’s courage or composure during a time of trouble without giving way to or revealing one’s emotion” was my favourite definition of the week. In hate, love and war … The suppression of hate is central to Brazen (Weep); the subject of Long Black Veil is fatally undone by the non-declaration of his love; and war? No, that’s far too heavy a topic for this column, so let’s bring on its bloodless substitute: chess. HMHB bemoan the lack of emotional control in online opponents.
But why should a person show a stiff upper lip? Why not just "let it all out"? After all, as any engineer will tell you, if you keep increasing the force behind an unyielding barrier, there will eventually be a catastrophic failure. Poor Elliott Smith demonstrated that, beautifully in song and sadly in life. Speech Debelle is far too wordy to have that fate befall her, but maintains her stiff upper lip by keeping her emotions out of sight. Smokey Robinson tries to go one further when in company, and puts a smile on his face despite his feelings. It’s not going to work: you try smiling with a stiff upper lip and look in a mirror: I’m sure you’ll agree that it looks out of place.
So as with everything in life, we should find a balance. A stiff upper lip has its place, to allow us to carry on our lives with dignity, even after - or perhaps, particularly after - the damage has been done. Analysing Dylan lyrics is a dangerous game, but I love the fact that after spending most of Just Like A Woman accusing her of displaying a stiff upper lip, Bob lets slip his own: “When we meet again introduced as friends, please don't let on that you knew me when I was hungry and it was your world”. AIDS victim and musician Greg Smalley is the subject of what DBT’s Patterson Hood calls “still the best song I’ve ever written”. Coping with death, finally, is also commonly behind a stiff upper lip. Watch the video that goes with Aye Mere Bete and try to stop yours from trembling: it’s hard!
The playlist
Ella Fitzgerald – Stiff Upper Lip
The Smiths – I Keep Mine Hidden
Half Man Half Biscuit – Bad Losers on Yahoo! Chess
Elliott Smith – Bottle Up And Explode
Smokey Robinson – Tracks Of My Tears
Drive-By Truckers – The Living Bubba
• See all the readers' recommendations on last week's blog, from which DarceysDad selected the songs above.
