Provocative Playlist

By: KAYLA CHRISTOPHERSON-HOLMAN
Culture Coordinator

Posted: 2/12/09

3. "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" - Shania Twain

There are only a few instances in which a rites of passage lesson actually changes our lives. The American culture encourages the importance of dedication in maintaining the interpersonal relationships that bring light and joy to our lives. Or is it just an escort and a good time? I never know for sure - society sends mixed messages.

The day one comprehends the concept of adultery marks an occasion to be remembered. Whether music is the correct medium for the message is up for interpretation, but the soundtrack playing in the backdrop of our lives reveals more than is appropriate from time to time.

Kids get an earful of what's happening with the bros and hos on any rap radio station, but other genres of music tend to mask their outright two-timing agendas. Instead of using every profanity known to man and airing dirty laundry out for the listening public's observations, country artist Shania Twain decided to be a little more clever.

I lived in a small town in Wyoming in the early '90s where the only radio waves translated were downright wholesome, or so the whole town thought.

"Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under" was a catchy and fun song I loved to sing. It wouldn't be until 100 personal renditions later that I understood the significance of the song's cheerful lines.

Twain sings coyly along with ambiguously upbeat music, "Don't look so lonely, don't act so blue, I know I'm not the only, girl you run to." Never has a scorned woman who has just confronted her cheating man sounded so jovial. In essence, teaching those who have been duped to keep their smiles on and embrace the element of surprise when facing Mr. Man or Ms. Lady with the facts. Play it cool and you can make your bygone partner squirm while never losing the upper hand.

"And whose lips have you been kissin'? And whose ear did you make a wish in? Is she the one that you've been missin', baby? Well whose bed have your boots been under?" With lyrics so sweet my 8-year-old self was sure Twain was just singing about someone who was head-over-heels in love that just happened to forget his boots at "long legs Louise's" house - no harm in that.

Though my youthful interpretation of what it meant to leave your boots under someone's bed did not turn out to be the correct insight, what Twain offers through the song is priceless - keep your head up and never underestimate the power of sass. Not to mention leaving us with a killer line, so wandering-eyed Will, "Next time you're lonely don't call on me, try the operator, maybe she'll be free."

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