1001 Songs Challenge #880: Caught Out There (1999)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenge of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post every day (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be… legendary!

 

Kelis – Caught Out There (1999)

 

 

We’re staying in the US and in New York today, dear reader, so no travel for us on this day. We are in the company of Kelis who began her career in 1997 and focused on R&B, hip hop and soul. When we join her in 1999 it is with the release of her debut album – Kaleidoscope – and from there 1001 Songs have lifted one of the singles from the record – Caught Out There. 

Caught Out There is very much an anthem for women and a sizzling indictment of men who treat women badly. Kelis calls on all women who have been hurt or damaged at the hands of men. She then throws her fury against men in a series of examples such as the lies, not coming home and even pursuing other women who dress more appealingly to them. The chorus has the refrain of “I hate you so much right now.” This is a very angry song and Kelis has clearly had enough.

Neither the artist nor the song title resonated with me as I faced this track, dear reader, but as soon as I heard that chorus I knew it immediately. The song would reach the UK Top 10 while Kaleidoscope was well received by critics and music lovers. Bizarrely, Kelis would reflect regretfully that she was tricked by record owners with her first two albums, earning very little from the profits. Such is the music business.

 

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon and Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)

U2 – One (1991)

Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah (1994)

Radiohead – Paranoid Android (1997)