F***! This Is Powerful. 

I think the line "So he doesn't lift a finger" is important because of it's double meaning. On the surface you think 'lazy', but it can also relate to female violence at a deeper level, which then turns the song around from a woman tired of doing all the work, to a woman who does the work to avoid the result we have throughout history seen as a very common occurrence where men so often hold control over woman. Which at it's core makes the song so much more powerful, especially because it's not something men always understand, or have experienced. Not that there aren't cases where the opposite is the case, but this song is very much from a female perspective and the female lived experience. Control over women through the threat of violence has often throughout history been something that needs to be addressed and unfortunately it is still an issue we deal with today. So the song on a surface level I feel does come across as being specific to a certain scenario, however the meaning behind it is something that almost every woman in existence can understand and will at some point experience.

Yes it’s about the personal but also the historical/political. Women throughout most of history have been defined by their biological function as childbearers - the title ‘Labour’ is not an accidental reference. This is a clever and beautiful piece of songwriting, thanks for featuring it.

I'm an outlier in your audience, I guess: female, much older. Does sound a bit like Hozier, I agree. I'm intimately familiar with everything she sings about here. She's not lying one bit. To men who may feel defensive in response to this, I suggest you listen. She's telling you about her lived experience, not trying to describe who you are inside.

This song is really hitting big here in the states. A lot of women are relating to it due to the influx of abortion bans and general restrictions on female autonomy. The verse about not wanting to have a daughter and leaving to “undo this mistake” and in general not wanting to go into labor really hits with that in mind.

Part of the 12% - when I first heard this song it was like a kick in the guts, especially the bit about “false incompetence”. With Gen X hitting the menopause and the stark realities of our experience with men now front and centre, and this new generation who are no longer willing to pretend these things don’t exist, I think this will be a continuing conversation.

This hit a little too close to home. I strive to be supportive and "do my part" but the words "you make me do too much labor" provoked some uncomfortable introspection. I could do more. Thanks for this video!

I dont believe this to be a historic retrospective at all. I had a "progressive" relationship with a man where we were married for 12 years and the envy of all of our friends and family. I carried every ounce of emotional labor in raising our children and supporting our family. It is the world that society brings us up in. My husband is a feminist that even in all of his feminism is blind to the emotional needs of the people around him. When he went to work everyone said "boo hoo he has to go off and be away from his children" but no one took a moment to appreciate the elaborate orchestra of support behind him that made it possible. The majority of men get the domestic bliss because someone is breaking their back behind the scenes to make it possible. Some hetero relationships are even partnerships, but society as a whole wasn't built on that. The historian quoted at the beginning of your video was correct about the past and it still holds true today. Thanks for covering this song. It's a great rallying cry for women who are exhausted by screaming into the void.

Oof this song really blew past you didn’t it? This isn’t about “a type of relationship where the bloke doesn’t do much”… it’s about the bone-deep exhaustion of generations of women carrying the massive weight of impossible amounts of work and constant awareness and putting other before you while being completely under appreciated and used

I'm an Irish woman who was raised Catholic, I don't think I have room for any more generational guilt 😂

I'm SO SO happy you're reacting to this song. Paris completely encapsulates female rage in such a beautiful way. Thank you for featuring her!

Generational guilt, yes, for raising my daughter to think that women take on the bulk of the domestic and emotional labour at home, even if they're working outside the home (thankfully she's figured that shit out and isn't having it). I've always worked full time plus, and always equally carried my weight financially in my four long-term relationships with men (including my current one), yet despite that I've also always been expected to take care of the home, the pets, the children, everything. It wasn't until I was older that I started fighting to to ensure that my time and efforts were seen as equally important as the other person's - and even now I still have to fight for it (God, I have such a bad picker). It's grueling AF as a woman to work a stressful full-time day job, try to fulfill my visions and dwindling career goals as a visual artist, and do all the heavy lifting in taking care of a family and household too, yet I've let this be my life. I wish I'd learned sooner, I wish I'd had this song when I was in my 30's or 20's.

I'm 46 and this song represents mine and all my friends'lived experiences. Two of us have gotten divorced partly because of it. It grinds you down til you're a shell of your former self and you no longer even know who you are anymore because you are giving everything to your husband/partner, kids, house and job and have literally no time for yourself. Something has to give and when your partner won't change, in spite of you spelling out your needs, then it's your relationship. I think the BBC TV comedy series "Motherland" and the film "Bad Moms" are great examples of this.

As a 20yo woman who loves your videos, I appreciate you creating an inviting, non-toxic space to discuss good music. I think the themes in the song ring true for people no matter what time in history. It's easy to think that because women's rights are advancing 'women are treated equally now' but the story Paris Paloma tells is just a glimpse of what many of us still face this day. Toxic relationships might not involve any physical abuse, slipping under the radar perhaps even in the eyes of the people in the relationship. While I can't relate to the story, I can really empathise with the message behind it. I know of many relationships in which the man puts less effort in compared to the woman. It could be the other way round of course. Anyway, great video! xx

This made me think of King by Florence & the Machines. As a 47 years old single/childless woman, I relate more to this other experience. But I guess it boils down to the same social constructs facing women: choices that are not really choices in the end. The pyjama and glasses look felt oddly appropriate for this video. Cheers.

As a women I feel so connected to this song. Collective female rage is powerful.

Thank you for not shying from subject matter that is likely to spark defensiveness among some of the individuals who make up 88% of your audience. It's the sort of thing that can help those in the remaining 12% to feel less alone.

I love the song. I think the theme rings true with the expectations of many (but not all) men in relationships with women. Especially if you have children. It's not just house stuff, that's only a small part of the mental load dragging women down. Her ethereal but angry sound reminds me of Marina and The Diamonds, an artist I really liked.

Another woman here, thank you for discussing the topic in a very adult way and recognising that not all men are misogynists and not all women are victims of misogyny but many are. I am very well versed in being not only wife but also cook, cleaner, accountant, nurse etc... I hope the younger generation who seem to be flooded with celebrity and social media morals find a way to have better partnerships based on good communication and a shared perspective. I enjoyed the song and your views on it, I also loved the Pyjamas in fact i was wearing mine again! well i'd better put the bins out :P - keep up the great work.

Thanks for doing this one! The getting fucking tired line hit me so hard the first time I listened to this song. The overlap of voices is so powerful too, like women from down the generations joining in

65 year old female who is fascinated with this channel, the music and your wardrobe choices. You even make pajamas look cool. 🔥💥

6:00 it's called canon, like the one that bloke Pachelbel wrote once. On the song itself, it's indeed powerful. We have been brought up to think males are the breadwinners and females stay in the house, and even if both the male and the female are supporting the household economically we are still thinking that females should keep that role instead of splitting it up as evenly as possible. So yeah, I'm gonna have to let that marinate for a second.

Woman here, I feel like you missed the point of the song. It's not about a specific type of relationship it's about the aspect that society expects women to take care of the home, the children should there be any, to keep the house clean and the husband fed and happy. To give up everything for him, to take what he gives her with grace and a smile. But that's too much. Being the one to keep the peace, to care for the children, to cook the food, to do the chores, to run the errands, to listen and listen and listen when he complains and God forbid he's abusive. You're expected to take it, to let him do those things, to hit you because "you shouldn't have upset him". The line "so he never lifts a finger" doesn't just mean so he doesn't have to work it also means so he doesn't fucking hit her. "It's not an act of love if you make her" is literally calling out sometimes husband's force themselves on their wives because "she's my wife so I can sleep with her whenever I want" when it's still fucking rape! If she doesn't want it then it's not an act of love it's rape! It's not just a love letter to the women in our past it's a god damn cry of anger. All day every day women are constantly put down by men and then expected to hold up society but one woman takes a step out of social norms and society gets upset! Yes I know not all men are like this but there's enough that are that it's a problem! Society makes us do too much labor and we're sick and tired of it

Nothing wrong with sharing your life experiences through your music. I rely on my own as I write songs my self. We all need to Express ourselves as people. Female or male everyone has those experiences. Nicely done!👍👍🤟🤟

Definitely has a Hosier feel to it but it really reminded me of The Civil Wars. Paris’ voice and style of singing is very similar to Joy Williams and the musical arrangement is reminiscent of them too. It’s good to hear someone picking up where The Civil Wars left off. As for the theme of the song, it seems to be a bit of a trend at the moment, perhaps in juxtaposition to the popularity of certain misogynistic influencers across social media? Whatever the reason, if it promotes healthy, balanced relationships then I’m all for it! Feels a bit like a warning to not take your partner for granted. Appreciate them or they might just leave.

Your jammies are just fine, Justin. They look comfy. And I'm wearing mine, right this second. I'm 60, and I remember having just that kind of relationship and how much it sucked, especially when both of us worked. But even without housework, dealing with the emotions of a bad relationship is labor. I still see articles on "how to keep a man." So it seems we aren't completely out of that poisonous, societal hole.

I 100% agree with the fact you think it’s based on a specific type of toxic relationship where one just takes takes takes I love how she feeds herself at the end before she leaves cool message

I'm staggered that your audience is so male dominated. I expected it to be weighted that way but not by quite so high a margin. I appreciate that rock music seems to appeal more to men, even these days but this channel offers such a lot more than that. I'm a 53 year old woman and I love being here, even if I don't comment very often. It's the first time I've heard Paris Paloma's music and I now want to hear more.

Very happy to be one of the 12% of females. ❤

It warms my heart to see you make space for this sort of conversation, as one of the 12% I really appreciate it.

I love this song. As a woman, you can’t help but sing it with all your power. Even with your incredible husband who is your partner in everything and doesn’t make you do too much labor side eyeing next to you in the car 🫣😬😂

I'm a regular viewer from the smaller category of the demographic mentioned at the top of your video, and am likely older than a fair number of viewers overall. I'm always glad when music comes from a genuine place of rich emotion and presents a solid point of view. There are other types of music that do different things, songs from women talking about the sour parts of life have always been in songs. Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and other singer-songwriters have definitely written from this too-familiar place.

Female and frequent JHRA viewer here. Full endorsement of this video. In the workplace, this theme really strikes a chord (sorry), even in 2023. Thank you for taking care of your kiddo and cleaning up the kitchen, Justin! ❤ Nice one!

Powerful! It definitely made me think I could be doing more to help my lady with household chores!

Solo dad of two incredible children here. No fiscal or physical assistance of any kind. I did my best.

I'm a woman who left a more traditional religion. This song makes me grateful I married after I left, and that I will not be passing on such values to my children.

48 year old female here LOVE your vidoes and everything that you share with us. Love from Chester from a polish nurse.

Proud to be part of the 12% club! I too got Hozier vibes from the way this song is structured. Shows a lot of gumption, talking of gumption, perfect for cleaning kitchens. One for comments day - would you consider bringing The Struts with you on your Australian Tour? What a banging show that would be - two of the great frontmen on one bill 🤞🏻🙌

Love to see the comments of other women in this audience, just wanted to say that. Justin is so wholesome, fr

Thank you Justin, for dealing with these potentially very controversial subjects with such tact and humour. Great channel!

Oh please DO wear your PJ's again Justin!! Most fetching indeed. As always, your insights - both musical and otherwise - are a refreshing breeze across the humid and turgid vapors of this pesky thing we call "The Interwebs" (or whatever the kids are calling it these days...) Keep it up Bruz, and as we say down here in Melbourne: You're a F#@*ing Legend!!!!!!

I love that you did the video in your pj's. Goes to show how down to earth you are.

Good to hear another thoughtful take on a very well constructed song, by an artist who's works I will be checking out.

Thoughtful comments on this piece. Your intro as to how to approach evaluating this new material was so effective. Love the PJs.

You make pj's look good. I love the sound and depth, a darkness to the music. As for the topic, I can relate due to life experiences and yes has likely left a residue that changes how I approach relationships, or if I even want or need one

Fantastic song! Very powerful and while likely written as a means of expressing their feelings of a woman’s suppression and exploitation by her male partner, but really it fits for anybody who has felt used and abused in a relationship.

59yr old female here, and I've been watching you for months.

The mental load is real people! Very dapper PJs Justin 👌.

44 woman here. Love your channel! Definitely get the Hozier comparison. Thanks for bringing my attention to this song. Great stuff!

Female - 30’s! I’ve always counted myself lucky to have never really experienced this from anyone in my personal life. I had good family and ended up with a good man who doesn’t make me feel like a member of staff & I think we both do our share. I guess the historical look of the video makes me think of it more from that perspective. Having said that I work with people in my job & encounter plenty of women this would apply to. Also sometimes men this would apply to.

The PJ's were so nice! You gave off an even more relaxed vibe. I thought it was ace and I'm wearing my pj's and drinking coffee while watching, so I feel a morning chat vibe. The song is interesting, good on her for tackling this ongoing issue in this song. It is an ongoing issue, but I think it stretches further to workplace pay gaps, risk of homelessness for women and poverty in general, let alone, disparity of work in the workplace and at home. I agree that men should listen open heartedly and with an open mind, rather go on the defensive or 'alpha male' status and just empathise. Plus, close the work and pay gap! Girls to the front!

Thanks for covering this song and keeping it real about your life and the dishes. :) This song is a revelation.

Hadn't heard this before but will check it out, it sound immense! Well delivered review as well, thank you.

Justin's "response" to this video as he is the one with the child, while working, and then stating he is going to tend the kitchen chores after, as do many men these days, is a testament to how times have changed.

I'm a 35 yr old woman in a 3 year relationship with a man, and even though he's a really great partner, this still echoes. The labour isn't really the labour for most of us...its the initiative. My partner would willingly and properly do anything i asked...but why do i have to see it first, acknowledge it, and ask before he even "sees" it? Dishes were in the sink a week because i was really sick. He took excellent care of me, but the dishes sat there. The first day i felt well enough to be out of bed for 30 consecutive minutes, i washed the dishes -- he tried to stop me, said he'd do them but...why did i have to do them for him to notice? It seems silly, but those moments can really waterfall into a situation where nothing gets done unless I delegate or do it myself, and can be such a gradual slide...my partner used to do a weekly deep clean on the house we (still) live in on Sundays when we started dating..now i dont remember the last time he wiped down the bathroom sink. I dont resent it, and we talk about it when its necessary, but he's very good to me. I can't imagine the weight and trauma if this song echoed AND came with an abusive or otherwise neglectful partner.

Thxs for the channel 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 And for riding again AZ

Female here, almost 66 & a big fan of yours. Patriarchy exists...😢

I first thought she was going to be another monotone Monica then the song takes off. Powerful indeed

Don’t apologize for the jammies Mr. Hawkins. You look quite cozy. As a purposefully single 58 year old woman, the song lyrics are timeless and universal. They fit with the still existing but perhaps unspoken paradigm that a woman is responsible for a man’s emotional well being… like it’s some additional work expected because “ women are softer and more emotional. “ I’m going to listen to the song to more closely understand the lyrics. Thanks for this👍🏾😃😃😃

Justin looks like Austin Powers today 😂

I once went out to a club called The Met Lounge in Peterborough. This weird tit in a catsuit came out and sung oldschool style rock They did a cover of Street Spirit. I loved the audacity of it all! About 20 years on, my daughter gets into that bands music after watching The Masked Singer and I'm watching this beautiful tit on a RU-vid vid entertaining me. This tit and his band are also making better music than they were 20 years or so. Love you man.

a comment for comments day maybe? i’ve noticed that ‘permission to land’ records are really hard to get ahold of - is there any chance, with the ‘permission to land’ 20th anniversary coming up, that perhaps they’d be available again, maybe as a re-issue (is that the right word?) on the darkness’s website? or is it something that will be kept as a rarity for old times sake? (sorry for the dodgy wording, i tried my hardest 🤷🏻‍♀️)

Loved that you covered this - another artist I'd never heard of. Question for comments day: What is Paul McCartney's best post-Beatles song and why is it "Let Me Roll It"? (Let's pretend "Maybe I'm Amazed" doesn't exist. I'm conflicted.)

Also an outlier 😊 proud to be in the 12%. Like the song

Writng music certainly allows me to add my personal thoguhts and feelings into my tunes. It has and can be therapy on tricky subjects without having to bare your soul to somebody else. See you on the ice mate!

No one should be with anyone that makes them feel this way, male or female. I find it hard to believe that 88% of viewers are male. I thought it would be 50/50. I’m female, 40 and here to stay regardless 😊

Enjoyed this Justin! Maybe you could do a Pheobe Bridgers song one day? :)

I liked the message of this song more than Meghan Trainor's (though I also miss a guitar solo, or maybe a cowbell😉). We must remember history to avoid some things happen again. The only phrase I'd disagree is when she says: "For somebody I thought was my savior". I understand that she's refering to a past context, but we don't need any saviour, we need "Somebody to love"...

My parents split over stuff like this. Expectaions of roles and duties in the home. Access to an equal living of life by both humans with needs and desires in the relationship. Fairness. Life isn't fair, but humans make a conscious decision to be unfair, for whatever reasons. Hopefully more of us can see this way, perceive from anothers point of view, and gleen empathy from it. And change, as my father did. And I'm proud of him for it. A lot of knuckle-dragging mouth-breathers out here still these days. Oh and ROCK 'N' ROOOOOLLLLLLLL 🤘

12% here too. In fact, I'm here a lot. Almost every day. I have gardening to do, yet here I am in my pjs listening to, and appreciating, Justin. Methodical thinking, hilarious, thoughtful. In terms of the song, give me Neneh Cherry any day.

Love the Jim jams!

Female here, in your age bracket 😂. Having been married twice, I sure do pick em' I can safely say that the songs lyrics speak a truth that is over looked by many as "man goes to work, woman goes to work, looks after the house, kids, emotions, desicions, cooking, cleaning you name it" however its just not ALL men so those being defensive perhaps there's a reason? The song is powerful in itself, but it doesn't mean it's labelling all partners, as there's some lazy women out there too... thank you for bringing this song to my attention though, I feel the need to rummage through her other gifts to the music industry to see where this goes. Apologies for the late view today, its been a hectic day travelling London. Fabulous as always Justin xxx

I need an essay comparing this song with Meghan trainers ‘Mother’ that you covered recently. Two very different approaches to a similar topic.

Hello, another female here up in your comments haha. I found it interesting (and am more curious about you and your stance on "tradition" vs. "modern progressive" gender roles) especially when you intro'ed with being your kid to work day lol. I do wonder (as a childless single woman) about if you ever reflect on gender equality differently after becoming a father, and does art like this influence you differently, or do you take things like this with a grain of salt in terms of how the future will be shaped for your child and future generations? Honest question, I appreciate your perspective, as we're total opposites, for i k how jack shit about music composition lol. ❤& ☮, sir.

In certain parts of the song you can hear little girls singing along saying that they’re going to end up the same way

When the vocal parts overlap, they used to call that singing “in the round”.

I am the oldest of 4 girls. My Father raised us to be educated, independent and self sufficient. Very lucky I guess.

Easily my track of the year. Such a powerful piece of writing, and an important one. And there's multiple meanings of "labour" when discussing women, women's rights, and the historical treatment of or allowances for women, which persist to this day in... well, pretty much everywhere, probably more often and pervasively than the average citizen of a so-called first-world-country would believe. I've never checked whether this was a debut song for Paris Paloma, because it doesn't really matter; she made herself known with labour, and it made an impact that transcends what the average individual--even in music--is usually capable of.

That "who knowsier" comment at the end!!! ha!

Hi Justin, loving the channel. As a teen I saw the Darkness play in Glasgow around 2004 promoting the classic debut album with Ash in support. My favourite memory from that night is you playing a guitar solo above the audience while riding a (fake) tiger/leopard!! Fun memories and inspiring for a fellow guitarist like myself 😀 I have an album out and if you ever have the time to listen to any of the tracks, any feedback would be greatly appreciated - Matt Riddell Our Deadly Souls Cheers MR

A little appreciation goes a long way!

You had me at "who knowzier.."

And Cognitive labour, what shall we have for breakfast lunch dinner, is there enough in the cupboard...ad infinitum

Hi Justin, just wanted to make sure you know she's Paris Paloma NOT Paloma Paris, easy mistake to make with Paloma Faith confusion but just wanted to make sure you knew 😊 Great piece, I've seen Paris live as know her manager, she's awesome live as well, so good to have your support and lovely to see such positive comments ❤

Reminiscent of "Does He Wash Up? (He Never Washes Up)" by Alicia Dixon. Joking aside, I'm very guilty of letting my wife do too much and take on most of the "cognitive burden". I'm trying to get better at that.

Very thought provoking alright.. The music reminds me a bit of St Sister Who you need to hear, I fell in love with their music when I heard the song Cold Feet. I'm a huge fan of them now..

You do wear pyjamas! Barbara might need her chemise after all 😜

Beautiful song indeed...

I must say, Blue Willow pattern china, has always been my favourite. It's just lovely don't you find? 😊

Domestic Dad looks good on Justin. Although the video felt disjointed the lyrics were powerful and I get it. Paloma's vocals are ethereal love her.

This song is more potent if viewed from the perspective of a woman addressing society in general. The labour imbalance between women and men is not an issue created or solved between individuals. It is counterproductive and downright divisive to be seen in such a way. The point is that our system thrives on slave labour, and those deemed as “minorities” within it (anyone who is not a straight white male) is vulnerable to exploitation, which is explained away as a biological or religious imperative. It is not a matter of men against women. Injustice is societal and systemic and should be treated as such.

This makes me think of the pop duo ‘Oh pep’ the voice and style of music. I love it.

Here every morning, watching while rowing and the kids watching cartoons. I thought there would be a lot more females on your channel, but yes maybe we do just comment more. 🙂 Fan since Permission to Land. 🎉

It’s about our society learning about actual equality. Not just saying it and not doing anything about it. Or virtue signaling then not living it. Equality is easy. Changing is hard. Cheers,

This is a song made to explain why I've never been interested in a relationship lol

I just made a react video of this song too. Was a strange one but in the end I was intrigued to know more about the artist.

Whoknowsier! But I love the humanistic world view, and the pajamas, almost as much as that cool, powerful song. Thanks for this, Justin Hawkins (Rides Again)

Oh god I love u!! and ur daughter Is there as well so flipping cute!!! And ur rocking the pjs !!! Love love love u !!!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

You gotta love a ride first thing in the morning!

07:18 Is she ill? Hope she gets well soon!!! Much love to you both 🥰

Guilt, no. Responsibility, definitely. Absolutely makes me think of history.