The Flag (by a Canadian band called Barenaked Ladies, on the "Gordon" album)

The phone rings, it's early, it's seven o'clock
He says "Sorry I woke you, but I just had to talk
You know last night, remember when I tried to choke you
I didn't mean it, I was drunk, it was only a joke,
You should know that by now
When the checkered flag comes down
No one, no one, no one has won the race."

The next night he's over, and over and under
And after he's finished, she lies there and wonders
Just why does she need him, and why does she stay here
And then in the darkness she'll quietly say, "Dear,
You've never really known
That when the white flag is flown
No one, no one, no one has won the war."

They're complicated people leading complicated lives
And he complicates their problems telling complicated lies
He tells her he's sorry, she tells him it's over,
He tells her he's sorry, she says over and over
"You've never really known
That when the white flag is flown
No one, no one, no one has won the war."

[There is a fourth verse that I can't remember, but it's kind of abstract and has no obvious connection to the story verses.]

Someone above mentioned Luca, a song from Suzanne Vega which I heard a lot in the 80's - although I think it's about a little girl, not a woman. Here is my memory of the lyrics - quite close on, I believe.

My name is Luca
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes, I think you've seen me before
If you hear something late at night
Some kind of trouble, some kind of fight
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was.

chorus:
They only hit until you cry
After that you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore

Yes I think I'm OK
Walked into the door again
If you ask, that's what I'll say
It's not your business anyway

chorus:
I think I'd like to live alone
Nothing broken, nothing thrown
Just don't ask me how I am
Just don't ask me how I am

repeat first chorus:

Couple of questions for you, John in Brisbane:

1. The songs that have come up in this thread are mostly about men battering women. Do you also want to know about songs that talk about rape or child molestation? Or about violence in gay relationships? Or other forms of misogynist violence (genital mutilation, honour killings, female infanticide etc.)?

2. The modern songs that have been mentioned here are all written from a socially aware, anti-violence perspective. Would you have any use in your presentation for modern songs that are genuinely misogynist - like a "listen to what kids are hearing, this is what we're up against" portion of the program?

Marion