EDITOR's NOTE. šSee my comments at end.
-------- Original Message --------
šThe Attacus question, about which I sent a query to the International Taxonomic Survey list-serve dredged
šup this "Nabokov appearance": In the rock song "Don't Stand So Close To Me" by the Police
š(before Sting went solo):š
'It's no use, he sees her, he starts to shake and cough
just like the old man in that book by Nabokovš"
š
So, I guess lepidopterists
are good for something. Thanks to Paul Cavalconte,
an Attacus buff, for this note.
š
---------------------------------
EDITOR'S NOTE. Yes, circa 1980 students in my Nabokov class called my attention
to the Police reference. Since a generation has passed, it šmay be worth
noting again. šI give the lyrics below.
Note the spelling "Nabakov". BTW, I recently received a query from "The Weakest
Link" TV show asking me to verify a šquestion about Humbert Humbert. The
querist also used the spelling š"Nabakov." Finally, I see that a web site
devoted to commonly misheard lyrics (not uncommon among mush-mouthed šrock
singers), gives the following mishearing:
š
Just like the old man who
Got bit by an apricot
Correct Lyrics:
Just like the old man in
That book by Nabokov
The Police - Zenyatta Mondatta
Transcribed by Joe Navratil
Don't Stand So Close To Me
[Lyrics NOT from DSSCTM'86 or "Every Breath"]
Words and music by Sting
Young teacher, the subject
Of schoolgirl fantasy
She wants him so badly
Knows what she wants to be
Inside her there's longing
This girl's an open page
Book marking - she's so close now
This girl is half his age
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Her friends are so jealous
You know how bad girls get
Sometimes it's not so easy
To be the teacher's pet
Temptation, frustration
So bad it makes him cry
Wet bus stop, she's waiting
His car is warm and dry
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Loose talk in the classroom
To hurt they try and try
Strong words in the staffroom
The accusations fly
It's no use, he sees her
He starts to shake and cough
Just like the old man in
That book by Nabakov
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stan
d so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
[Back:] (Please don't stand so close to me)
(Repeat to fade)