Music Review: Thompson Twins "Sugar Daddy"

Thompson Twins

Sugar Daddy

Album: Big Trash

Year: 1989

      Tom Bailey disdains women who expect men to bankroll their lives for them in the  clamoursome “Sugar Daddy.”

        Brazen synths open the single, setting a loose tone. Bailey eyes a young woman putting her hand on the arm of a banker. Her lips are lined ruby red and some pale blue shadow ia brushed on her eyes, highlighting the glint of emerald in them.  Her arm is linked with his now as she walks the banker to more private area to talk. Bailey thinks it’s likely the first potential hit she’s gotten all night. He has seen go from every man in the room with a decent job, A former classmate, he remembers her saying all the time that her mom taught her to marry up. (“Well you're all grown up and lookin' good/Been painting your face like a geisha would/Been practising the art of treachery/Little girls learn this at their mothers' knee.”)

        In the chorus, Bailey says the banker may be willing to hand over his fortune to her to spend. However, she’s going to be expected to do something in return. It may be unpleasant but it’s the tradeoff.  (“Sugar daddy gonna make you happy/Sugar daddy gonna make it nice/Sugar daddy gonna give you candy/But you gonna pay sugar daddy's price.”)

          She approaches him and exclaims she can’t believe it’s him. She gives him a hug, making certain to press her chest against his body. She tells him it’s been so long. However, he knows the real question she’s getting to is his current occupation. The remnants of her last relationship are all over her: diamond earrings, the couture gown and the designer high heels on her feet. He lets her believe she’s charming him. While sipping on the wine, he says he’ll take her to the nearest music store to pick out a guitar. He would like to make her a rock star out of his money. Her smile fades but she recovers by giving him a tight grin. She had a nice time talking to him but she has to go back to her banker friend. Her watches her with the banker, her face aglow and smile back in place.(“Well I know what you want and you know how to get it/Nothin’ but money gonna make you feel better/I'll buy you a dress and I'll buy you a car/I might even buy you an electric guitar.”)

              The chorus is sung again.

             In the bridge, in her head she views herself as a star. The dutiful girlfriend is the role she plays. None of the men want to know about her. They pretend her compliments mean something. However, once she gets caught, they want nothing to do with her. (“(Sweet) Oh smile for the camera/(As sugar) Yeah smile for the world/(Sweet) Oh smile....give me your best smile/(As candy) Like a sweet little girl.”)

              None of the men want to know where she grew up or if she has any pets. They pretend her compliments mean something. However, once she gets caught, they want nothing to do with her.  (“So don't bother me with all your personal life/And I will ignore your little white lies/And when the fairy falls from the Christmas tree/Don't ever think that you can run to me.”)

            The chorus is sung twice to end the single.

            Bailey’s snaky vocals intend to indulge in her willing exploitation. It would likely lead to her downfall, shaming her from the high society life she desperately wants. For now, he prefers to toy with her. He mocks her for lack of self-respect and greed

            The sarcastic “Sugar Daddy” oils the coattails to watch the social climbers fall.