Be My Girl-Sally

The Police The Police

Loneliness and Unconventional Companionship in 'Be My Girl-Sally'

The Police's song 'Be My Girl-Sally' is a quirky and somewhat humorous exploration of loneliness and the lengths to which one might go to find companionship. The lyrics begin with a plea for a girl, setting the stage for a narrative about a man who is deeply lonely and struggling with his emotional state. He describes his life as grey and dead, with desperation growing in his mind. This sets a somber tone, highlighting the depth of his loneliness and his need for a change.

The turning point in the song comes when the protagonist discovers an unusual advertisement in a magazine for an inflatable doll named Sally. This ad promises a different kind of experience, one that is loving, warm, and guaranteed to bring joy. The protagonist's decision to purchase Sally and the subsequent description of her arrival and 'revival' with air injects a sense of absurdity and dark humor into the narrative. The inflatable doll becomes a symbol of his desperate attempt to fill the void in his life, providing a satirical commentary on the commodification of companionship.

As the song progresses, the protagonist's relationship with Sally evolves. He treats her as a real partner, even referring to her as his wife. This bizarre relationship highlights the extremes of his loneliness and the artificial nature of his solution. The song ends on a note of contentment, with the protagonist expressing satisfaction with his new life, albeit with a humorous caveat about the durability of his inflatable companion. 'Be My Girl-Sally' uses humor and satire to address themes of loneliness, desperation, and the human need for connection, ultimately painting a poignant picture of a man who finds solace in an unconventional and artificial relationship.

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  1. Every Breath You Take
  2. Wrapped Around Your Finger
  3. If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
  4. Roxanne
  5. Secret Journey
  6. Born In the Fifties
  7. I Burn For You
  8. Message In A Bottle
  9. Too Much Information
  10. Does Everyone Stare
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