Is Wives and Lover the vilest, sexist song ever written?

It's of a time. Almost hilariously so. A time we don't live in now. It's a reflection of all we hope we're not. Think of it like a "madrigal." One for the history books. Get over it.

Yes, it's vile sexist song that casts women as second class citizen only in service to her man, and that also means you too, diesel dykes

I love that song.

What's vile & sexist about encouraging someone to remain attractive & appealing to their partner? "The way you get him is the same way you can lose him"!

The only issues I can find with the song are that the lyrics don't bring total clarity. It's not always possible for one to look their physical best every moment of every day. But when possible, make an effort! The other issue is that this is a lesson that applies to not only women but men (and everything in between) as well.

You want to know why Women’s Liberation happened?

We loathe it, and him.

You only get to deliver this kind of message if you're a sassy black woman!

LOL. R7, you hit the nail on it's head. The problem here isn't really the message, it's the fact that Jack Jones is a White, Hetero Male. And he sang the song with a smug twinkle in his eye. In his hands 'Wives And Lovers' doesn't come off as friendly advice, it's a menacing threat!

And as far as Sassy Black Women go, Denise is good but can't hold a candle to Millie Jackson in the "sass" department. Ms. Jackson touches on the same subject matter as 'Wives And Lovers' on her classic 'All The Way Lover'. The whole number's good but gets hilarious when she starts telling it like it is at about 02:25 in. She touches on lazy gossiping housewives, soap operas, "sissys" and even Anita "A.B." Bryant. Brilliance!

Sure it’s sexist. Also incredibly catchy with a sly melody.

I want to hear kd lang do it.

Wasn't he married to Marlene Dietrich? No, right...Carole Bayer Sager....Wait! Dianne Warwick.....or, uh.....oh fuck it.

So?

J.J. re-recorded 'Wives And Lovers' in the Late 70s as a Disco number and it surprisingly works very well!