Lovelies
October 25, 2010
FRED OWENS writes:
The Good Lovelies are a trio of young women who graduated from my college — St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto. It was a wonderful, joyful Catholic community when I attended in the 1960s. And when I see these sweet young women and hear their voices raised in harmony, I remember the good girls I dated back when I was young.When I hear these young women sing, I realize that it still goes on — that wonderful, spiritual, romantic feeling.
It’s not about the past; it’s about the future. Keep the faith!
Laura writes:
They have delightful voices and the sentiments of the song are sweet. But why are they in bed together?
— End of Entry —
Fred responds:
It is strange they are in bed together, but in the sweet old-fashioned way that women can care for each other. The video is fairly erotic, in a Catholic style. It reminded me of the girl’s dorm, late at night, forbidden territory to me as a student – but I dreamed of the girls up there on the second or third floor, lying in beds together, laughing, trying on clothes, fixing their hair…… If I could have climbed the fire escape and snuck into their rooms, I would have done it.
Laura writes:
Well, I guess.
Thomas F. Bertonneau writes:
“Viswijfenkoor” translates from Flemish as “Fish Wives Choir.” It is a celebration of women singing. The reader who likes the Good Lovelies might appreciate it. [If you have trouble with the link, go here and then click on the fish next to Grey Funnel Line.]
Laura writes:
Ha! That’s exactly what I’d imagine a Fish Wives Choir sounding like. I could make it into that choir.
Mr. Bertonneau writes:
I’d like to sing with that choir!
Jesse Powell writes:
I recommend a blog called The Catholic Young Woman maintained by a trio of young women, seeking to keep or resurrect the traditional values of home and family. There is indeed hope for the future!
Wheeler MacPherson writes:
Laura’s question about The Good Lovelies (“But why are they in bed together?”) is a good one.
My wife and I have been talking quite a bit about the “Lesbianism is fun!” message being broadcast by our degenerate popular culture. When I watched the video of The Good Lovelies, I was reminded again of our conversations. Whether these images and insinuations are dark and deliberate or circumstantial and “innocent,” I will leave for others to decide. I can only say, in the current parlance, that the video creeped me out.
In contrast, take a look at this video of Texas’ own Quebe Sisters Band. No wink-wink-nudge-nudge. No inappropriate caterwauling or suggestive gesturing. Just solid musicianship and a chaste presentation. Dad-blasted Presbyterians…
Laura writes:
Fred Owens’ reaction is understandable and I understand that girlish affection can indeed be charming, but I have to agree with Mr. MacPherson’s main point. We live in a culture that openly celebrates lesbianism and unrestrained physical affection and self-approval among women. I believe the Good Lovelies are aware of that culture.
Laura adds:
It’s worth comparing the Good Lovelies with the wonderful Swedish a capella quartet Kraja.
Roger G. writes:
Fred writes: “If I could have climbed the fire escape and snuck into their rooms, I would have done it.”
Me too me too. But only to discuss the relative merits of monetarism vs. demand management – or maybe how to throw a trap block going back to your weak side.
Of course these girls know the rancidity of modern culture. I would go so far as to say they’re taking a stand against it – by displaying interaction that in a healthy society indeed would have been seen as benign and charming girlish affection.
Laura writes:
Leaving aside the issue of who would have snuck into whose room then, I think it’s a bit of a stretch to say the Good Lovelies are taking a stand against popular culture by displaying this affection. It’s too early for that. We need the bracing tonic of full-fledged feminine modesty before we can celebrate girlish embraces again. It’s sad, but that’s where we are.
N.W. writes:
Ah come on, y’all are really overreacting on this one. Now, if you do want a certified pair of lesbian vocalists, with some damn good harmonizing to boot, then you need to check out The Ditty Bops, a real cute couple.
Jill F. writes:
I found the Good Lovelies to be kind of creepy…if they were twelve years old and at a slumber party I might find all the touchy stuff to be acceptable but these ladies look far older….and the silliness of it seems a bit over the top. What’s going on?
Hurricane Betsy writes:
The Lovelies are indeed doing nudge-nudge wink-wink, playing us for fools. But they’re no match for the Ditty Bops for sheer degeneracy. I must be a real old bag if I can remember when female singers could do great harmonising while wearing normal clothing, not prostitute garb.
Fred writes:
I agree that the images in the video can be interpreted in more than one way. So, can we give these young women the benefit of the doubt?
No, these young women are not the perfect picture of purity, but they are quite in the direction of being wholesome.
Yes, there is more than a touch of sexuality in these images. But I think it is very much on the good side and quite a bit different than Lady Gaga.
Laura writes:
The Lovelies are a Catholic group so they have higher standards to meet, but no one is comparing them to Lady Gaga, for heaven’s sake. By the way, the problem isn’t simply that there is “a touch of sexuality.” The way they are falling over each other is not consciously sexual, or I assume it is not. It’s strange and off-putting for young women to behave this way. It is much more common and not just in lesbian culture. The sisterhood is remarkably self-adulating, physically stroking and petting and gathering in tightly-clutched groups. There seems to be a subtext to this public display of affection (not in the Good Lovelies but elsewhere). It declares, “We don’t need anyone but ourselves.”
[CORRECTION: The Good Lovelies are not a Catholic group, as I mentioned above.I apologize for the error.]
N.W. writes:
Jill writes: “I found the Good Lovelies to be kind of creepy…if they were twelve years old and at a slumber party I might find all the touchy stuff to be acceptable but these ladies look far older….and the silliness of it seems a bit over the top. What’s going on?”
The youth of today have no desire or intention to grow up. Why should they? They don’t have families to care for, they don’t have any set responsibility within society, and with the current economic situation, it is in the interest of their elders to keep them out of the workforce.
N.W. adds:
Concerning the video, was anyone else reminded of the Matchmaker bit in Fiddler on the Roof?
Roger writes:
I’m still sneaking in with Fred here; when I see their antics, the adjectives that come to mind are “cute,” “endearing,” “harmless.” As for the Gaga scenario, if you immersed one of these girls in the chemical vat that turned Jack Nicholson into The Joker, the result indeed would be Lady Gaga.
Laura writes:
Even with their antics, they are lovely girls.
