Subject
Sting & THE POLICE, and Humbert Humbert
From
Date
Body
EDITOR's NOTE. See my comments at end.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Nabokov Appearances
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 10:17:27 -0500
From: "Johnson, Kurt" <JohnsonK@Coudert.com>
To: "'Vladimir Nabokov Forum'" <NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU>
The Attacus question, about which I sent a query to the International Taxonomic Survey list-serve dredged
up this "Nabokov appearance": In the rock song "Don't Stand So Close To Me" by the Police
(before Sting went solo):
'It's no use, he sees her, he starts to shake and cough
just like the old man in that book by Nabokov "
So, I guess lepidopterists are good for something. Thanks to Paul
Cavalconte,
an Attacus buff, for this note.
---------------------------------
EDITOR'S NOTE. Yes, circa 1980 students in my Nabokov class called my
attention to the Police reference. Since a generation has passed, it
may be worth noting again. I give the lyrics below.
Note the spelling "Nabakov". BTW, I recently received a query from "The
Weakest Link" TV show asking me to verify a question about Humbert
Humbert. The querist also used the spelling "Nabakov." Finally, I see
that a web site devoted to commonly misheard lyrics (not uncommon among
mush-mouthed rock singers), gives the following mishearing:
Just like the old man who
Got bit by an apricot
Correct Lyrics:
Just like the old man in
That book by Nabokov
<http://www.forum2.org/dubi/music.gif> The Police - Zenyatta Mondatta
Transcribed by Joe Navratil
Don't Stand So Close To Me
[Lyrics NOT from DSSCTM'86 or "Every Breath"]
Words and music by Sting
Young teacher, the subject
Of schoolgirl fantasy
She wants him so badly
Knows what she wants to be
Inside her there's longing
This girl's an open page
Book marking - she's so close now
This girl is half his age
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Her friends are so jealous
You know how bad girls get
Sometimes it's not so easy
To be the teacher's pet
Temptation, frustration
So bad it makes him cry
Wet bus stop, she's waiting
His car is warm and dry
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Loose talk in the classroom
To hurt they try and try
Strong words in the staffroom
The accusations fly
It's no use, he sees her
He starts to shake and cough
Just like the old man in
That book by Nabakov
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
[Back:] (Please don't stand so close to me)
(Repeat to fade)
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Nabokov Appearances
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 10:17:27 -0500
From: "Johnson, Kurt" <JohnsonK@Coudert.com>
To: "'Vladimir Nabokov Forum'" <NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU>
The Attacus question, about which I sent a query to the International Taxonomic Survey list-serve dredged
up this "Nabokov appearance": In the rock song "Don't Stand So Close To Me" by the Police
(before Sting went solo):
'It's no use, he sees her, he starts to shake and cough
just like the old man in that book by Nabokov "
So, I guess lepidopterists are good for something. Thanks to Paul
Cavalconte,
an Attacus buff, for this note.
---------------------------------
EDITOR'S NOTE. Yes, circa 1980 students in my Nabokov class called my
attention to the Police reference. Since a generation has passed, it
may be worth noting again. I give the lyrics below.
Note the spelling "Nabakov". BTW, I recently received a query from "The
Weakest Link" TV show asking me to verify a question about Humbert
Humbert. The querist also used the spelling "Nabakov." Finally, I see
that a web site devoted to commonly misheard lyrics (not uncommon among
mush-mouthed rock singers), gives the following mishearing:
Just like the old man who
Got bit by an apricot
Correct Lyrics:
Just like the old man in
That book by Nabokov
<http://www.forum2.org/dubi/music.gif> The Police - Zenyatta Mondatta
Transcribed by Joe Navratil
Don't Stand So Close To Me
[Lyrics NOT from DSSCTM'86 or "Every Breath"]
Words and music by Sting
Young teacher, the subject
Of schoolgirl fantasy
She wants him so badly
Knows what she wants to be
Inside her there's longing
This girl's an open page
Book marking - she's so close now
This girl is half his age
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Her friends are so jealous
You know how bad girls get
Sometimes it's not so easy
To be the teacher's pet
Temptation, frustration
So bad it makes him cry
Wet bus stop, she's waiting
His car is warm and dry
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Loose talk in the classroom
To hurt they try and try
Strong words in the staffroom
The accusations fly
It's no use, he sees her
He starts to shake and cough
Just like the old man in
That book by Nabakov
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
[Back:] (Please don't stand so close to me)
(Repeat to fade)