I first saw Fugazi in their first European Tour in London in 1988 (I think) Guy, the dancer and backup singer, was described at the time as backing singer and playing "space" The song, for me, is about sexist and misogynist attitudes held by men and the song lyrics are mostly from a woman's perspective and sung by men. It is quite important to hear and understand the lyrics. Perhaps a better song to showcase early Fugazi would be Waiting Room th-cam.com/video/Og7u3sKuegM/w-d-xo.html
The song is about how men objectify women, and men who know better don’t say or do anything about it. He speaks from the perspective of a woman until the end of the song, when he speaks as a man and states he and all men who don’t speak up for women who are harassed or abused are just as guilty as the abusers themselves. It’s a song about the responsibility we all have to call out bad behavior when we see it. It’s the human thing to do, and it’s the morally right thing to do. “Suggestion” is a classic Ian MacKaye song about doing the right thing, thinking for yourself, and holding yourself and others accountable. It’s about finding your moral compass and trying to be a better person, which I dare say has been the life goal of the great Ian MacKaye. It is why he is one of my heroes.
They were fantastic I saw them in Europe many times All over the UK and I even travelled to the Netherlands to see them play at a Youth Centre in Hoorn.
Guy Picciotto is the Gumbi of indie rock. He can twist his body into any position possible. Have you seen the video of him singing while hanging upside from a basketball hoop? He’s a serpent.
I saw them in Philly, 1988 I think. But seeing them in Tokyo in 1991 was something I will always cherish. Got to hang with them earlier in the day. Just fantastic humans.
Well if you haven't figured it out, the song is about the way that men objectify and treat women, including rape. The first half of the song is sung via the perspective of a woman, the second half is via those who witness these kind of crimes and still stay silent. In the beginning the song starts off: "Why can't I walk down a street free of suggestion? Is my body the only trait in the eye's of men?" It then goes on to say, still from her perspective: "You spent yourself watching me suffer Suffer your words, suffer your eyes, suffer your hands" Then from the perspective of society witnessing these crimes against women: "She does nothing to deserve it He only wants to observe it We sit back like they taught us We keep quiet like they taught us" And finishing up with: "We blame her for being there" But at the very end, and very quietly (on the album version at least) there is one final line. "But, we are all guilty"
![Fugazi "Suggestion" [Live] · The Palace, Los Angeles · 1999](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pLfW-rj-0vo/mqdefault.jpg)
Awesome that you are diving into one of the greatest bands of the last 50 years.
Brad! Happy Birthday to the little man! ...🎂😊
I effing LOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEEE this band. Punk rock gave us so many amazing gifts decades into the genre once bands really learned how to play.
Powerful and unique ...
I first saw Fugazi in their first European Tour
in London in 1988 (I think)
Guy, the dancer and backup singer,
was described at the time as backing singer and playing "space"
The song, for me, is about sexist and misogynist attitudes
held by men
and the song lyrics are mostly from a woman's perspective
and sung by men.
It is quite important to hear and understand the lyrics.
Perhaps a better song to showcase early Fugazi
would be Waiting Room
th-cam.com/video/Og7u3sKuegM/w-d-xo.html
The song is about how men objectify women, and men who know better don’t say or do anything about it. He speaks from the perspective of a woman until the end of the song, when he speaks as a man and states he and all men who don’t speak up for women who are harassed or abused are just as guilty as the abusers themselves. It’s a song about the responsibility we all have to call out bad behavior when we see it. It’s the human thing to do, and it’s the morally right thing to do. “Suggestion” is a classic Ian MacKaye song about doing the right thing, thinking for yourself, and holding yourself and others accountable. It’s about finding your moral compass and trying to be a better person, which I dare say has been the life goal of the great Ian MacKaye. It is why he is one of my heroes.
This is one of my very favorite Fugazi songs. So happy you reacted to it!!
Love Fugazi, seen them live like 12 times (mostly in STL at Mississippi Nights!), You should check out the songs Merchandise & Sieve-Fisted Find!
They were fantastic
I saw them in Europe many times
All over the UK and I even travelled to the Netherlands
to see them play at a Youth Centre in Hoorn.
Guy Picciotto is the Gumbi of indie rock. He can twist his body into any position possible. Have you seen the video of him singing while hanging upside from a basketball hoop? He’s a serpent.
I saw them in Philly, 1988 I think. But seeing them in Tokyo in 1991 was something I will always cherish. Got to hang with them earlier in the day. Just fantastic humans.
Best punk of all time besides maybe Bad Brains. DC Scene.
sounds like you may have already started hah - but i recommend the deep dive. 7 albums of perfection.
Fugazi is the best band to come out of DC since the bad brains
Well if you haven't figured it out, the song is about the way that men objectify and treat women, including rape. The first half of the song is sung via the perspective of a woman, the second half is via those who witness these kind of crimes and still stay silent.
In the beginning the song starts off:
"Why can't I walk down a street free of suggestion?
Is my body the only trait in the eye's of men?"
It then goes on to say, still from her perspective:
"You spent yourself watching me suffer
Suffer your words, suffer your eyes, suffer your hands"
Then from the perspective of society witnessing these crimes against women:
"She does nothing to deserve it
He only wants to observe it
We sit back like they taught us
We keep quiet like they taught us"
And finishing up with:
"We blame her for being there"
But at the very end, and very quietly (on the album version at least) there is one final line.
"But, we are all guilty"
This is not any Band! They are FUGAZI! The only band that matters. I’ve got all their albums in vinyl.
Such a great feminist song.
It’s a song dude
No, i don't think Guy is interested in consulting a choreographer.