☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are a humorous portrayal of a woman saved from a disorderly lifestyle by her partner, Nowak.
- The protagonist expresses a series of condemned desires and exotic fantasies that are constantly thwarted by her partner.
- The protagonist's secret desires range from socially condemned activities to exotic adventures.
- Despite the restrictions imposed by her partner, the protagonist longs for freedom and independence to fulfill her secret desires and dreams.
- The song lyrics criticize societal norms and values that limit women. They also depict the role of men as enforcers of these norms and values.
Interpretation
The song lyrics 'But Novak won't let me go to ruin' by
Cissy Kraner are a humorous and ironic portrayal of a woman controlled by her partner, Nowak, and kept from a 'ruined' lifestyle. The singer expresses her secret desires and dreams, ranging from socially condemned actions to exotic fantasies. She talks about her desire to get senselessly drunk, to lie in a gutter, to fight with prostitutes, to consume men and drugs. She also expresses the desire to forget oyster-shell-carrying whales, to be a vampire, and to be the lover of a fakir. However, all these desires are thwarted by Nowak, her vigilant and disciplined partner. Although she considers Nowak a blessing, she also expresses her desire to move and fulfill her secret desires and dreams. Among other things, she wants to take over the management of a nightclub where she can dance naked in front of blacks and Chinese. However, this kind of freedom and independence is prevented by Nowak. The song lyrics criticize the social norms and values that limit women's freedom and independence, while also portraying the role of men as controllers and preservers of these norms and values.