Say What?

I grew up in a very conservative, very strict household. This affected nearly every aspect of my young life - particularly what music I was "allowed" to listen to.

I remember one particular day when the issue of music was addressed head on. One day when I was in the car with my mother (I was driving, clearly too old to be told what to listen to). I was feeling bold, so I asked my mom if I could turn from the Christian radio station and listen to the Top-40 station.


To my shock and delight, she said yes. I wasted no time in turning the station. I stopped the dial when I heard my FAVORITE song start to play. It was the newest hit from Blue, Too Close.

I had heard this song many times at school and in my room (out of earshot of my parents). I was thrilled to be pumping it for my mom.


The following is what happened on that fateful day:

(Both my mother and I are dancing in our seats, and I begin to sing along).

Baby when we're grinding
I get so excited
Oh, how I like it
I try but I can't fight it
Oh you're dancing real close
Plus it's real, real slow
You're making it hard for me.

(I hear the last lyric and get what it means. I look over at my mom).

All the slow songs you requested
You're dancing like you're naked
Oh, it's almost like we're sexing (oh yeah)

(My mom looks over at me.)

Yeah boo, I like it
No, I can't deny it
But I know you can tell
I'm excited, oh girl

(I roll down the window to try to drown out the sound.)

Step back you're dancing kinda close
I feel a little poke coming through
On you
Now girl I know you felt it
Before you know I can't help it
You know what I wanna do

(We hit a stop light, so the wind is no longer helping to muffle the radio.)

Baby girl's dancing so close
Ain't a good idea
Cuz I'mma want you now and here
The way that you shake it on me
Makes me want you so bad sexually
Oh girl

(I reach for the dial to turn the station, but my mom stops me).

Baby when we're grinding
I get so excited
Ooh, how I like it
I try but I can't fight it
Oh, your dancing real close
Plus real real slow
You're making it hard for me

(My heart is pounding, and I being to sweat.)

[Blue] I love when you shake it like that, ah, ah, ah
[Girl] I see that you like it like that, ha, ha, hahh
[Blue] I love when you shake it like that, ah, ah, ah
[Girl] I see that you like it like that, ha, ha, hahh

(I start to speed in an effort to get home before I faint.)

Baby when we're grinding
I get so excited
Ooh, how I like it
I try but I can't fight it
Oh, your dancing real close
Plus real real slow
You're making it hard for me

(This repeats four times....playing the whole way home.)

I pull into our driveway and turn off the car. My mother and I sit in silence. The only thing that can be heard is my sound of my uneven breaths.

My mother and I still have never spoken of this incident.

My mother has loosened up quite a bit since then. Irony of ironies, my mother sang the following chorus to me while dancing (suggestively) in the kitchen, the last time I was up to visit her:

This is why I'm hot [2x]
This is why [2x] Uh
This is why I'm hot (Uh)
This is why I'm hot [2x] Whoo
This is why [2x]
This is why I'm hot


My mom is awesome.