Anybody remember the song Centipede, sung by Rebbie Jackson? Big hit back in 1984?
Rebbie, the unknown Jackson. That's pronounced "Reebie" by the way. She's the oldest Jackson, no scandals, married to her childhood sweetheart since the 60's, and she has a beautiful voice.
Her one hit was Centipede, written and produced by Michael Jackson. Can't you just imagine a conversation with Michael and Momma Jackson? Honey, Rebbie's pregnant, they need a new house -- write her a song!
The good: great catchy 80's style hook; Rebbie Jackson's great voice
The bad: creepy-ass lyrics
Here, see for yourself:
Your love
Is like a raging fire
You're a snake that's on the loose
The strike is your desire
But when the centipede is hot
You're bound to feel the fire
And when the centipede is hot
You're bound to feel the fire
I feel
A longing for your touch
Like you crawled into the bathroom window
To give him all your love
Like a centipede that's hot
The fire is in your touch
Just like a centipede you've got
A lot of lovin' to touch
Don't you know
In the quiet of the night
Is when the snake is in the crawlin'
And the moon starts to glow then disappear
When the time is really right
Is when the centipede is crawlin'
You'll be crying in the night so many tears
And he's crawlin' like a centipede
You came
To strike him with your love
Like you crawled into the bathroom window
To bite him with your love
Like a centipede that's hot
The fire is in your touch
Just like a centipede you've got
A lot of loving to touch
Your heart
Is full of strange desire
You're the heat of a summer's night
A centipede on fire
When the centipede is hot
You're bound to feel the fire
Like a piece about to strike
The centipede's on fire
Seriously, even before I was creeped out by Michael Jackson in general, I thought this was exceptionally weird. What's that stuff about crawling in a bathroom window? Crying in the night? Heart full of strange desire? And why would a song that is ostensibly about sexiness have anything to do with a centipede? Ugh. Oh, the grossness.
You can hear the song on Rebbie's Myspace page. Try not to hear the words and you might like it! :)
