Before 1909, American pop songs could be romantic and even coy about sex. But none were so explicit about adultery as “I Love My Wife — But Oh! You Kid!” about a married man named Jonesy and the young lass who catches his eye.
“I Love, I Love, I Love My Wife—But Oh! You Kid!” had captured the zeitgeist, that it was a sign—the sound—of the times. It incited countless newspaper editorials, fulminating sermons by preachers, and at least one fatal shooting.
Even if the cat-calling implication weren’t there, addressing a lady one doesn’t know as “Oh, you!” would be bad manners in 1909. Kind of like, “Oi, sweetheart!” is now.
Yes, that’s right.
https://www.npr.org/2014/06/06/319539860/nobody-panic-its-only-a-pop-song-about-sex
Apparently it was a big hit and controversial:
https://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2014/06/sex_and_pop_the_forgotten_1909_hit_that_introduced_adultery_to_american.html
So basically the guy was catcalling her.
Wow. There’s not many feelings better than finding out that some random bullshit that popped in your head is actually correct! Thanks for that!
Even if the cat-calling implication weren’t there, addressing a lady one doesn’t know as “Oh, you!” would be bad manners in 1909. Kind of like, “Oi, sweetheart!” is now.
Once again Everette is vindicated. Plus the woman’s expression is clearly uncomfortable. It was a giveaway.