Letter: Confusion over two lyrical noses

Mr P. G. Hewitt
Tuesday 26 January 1993 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Academic interpretation of pop is so obviously 'academic'. Graham Finch's letter (25 January) points to the Stevie Wonder hit 'Uptight', and black slang. The BBC may not have realised the meaning, but in the late Thirties/early Forties there was a hit song called 'Hold Tight'. The words went: 'Hold tight] Hold tight] Buriacky Saki. Want some seafood momma] Fish and rice they're very nice.'

In black slang, 'seafood' was sex. I believe the BBC eventually suspected something 'dirty' and banned it from the 'wireless', but nice old lady trios went on singing it in Cadena tearooms as if it was something to do with a taste for food.

Yours faithfully,

PETER G. HEWITT

Cambridge

25 January

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in