The Loophole

Garfunkel and Oates, a comedic folk duo known for their satirical and witty songs, tackle the topic of religious purity and sexual loopholes in their song 'The Loophole.' The song is a humorous and critical look at the ways in which some individuals may interpret religious texts to suit their personal desires while maintaining a facade of piety.

The lyrics of 'The Loophole' tell the story of a girl who has been raised to follow strict Christian values, particularly regarding abstinence before marriage. She wears a purity ring and has vowed to keep her virginity intact until her wedding night. However, when faced with the pressures of maintaining a relationship with her boyfriend, she finds a 'loophole' in the scripture that allows her to engage in anal sex, thus technically maintaining her virginity. The song uses this scenario to highlight the absurdity of following religious rules to the letter while completely missing the spirit of the teachings.

Throughout the song, Garfunkel and Oates use sharp humor and irony to point out the hypocrisy and selective interpretation of religious texts. They mention how some people choose to ignore parts of the Bible that are inconvenient or outdated, such as the bans on shellfish and polyester, while strictly adhering to others that suit their needs. The song's chorus, 'Fuck me in the ass 'cause I love Jesus,' is a provocative and exaggerated way to emphasize the cognitive dissonance between the character's actions and her proclaimed values. 'The Loophole' is a clever critique of the selective morality and the often contradictory nature of religious dogma when it comes to sexuality and personal behavior.