Shopping Bag Ladies

Hazell Dean · Other Songs - Hazell Dean

The shopping bag ladies, they live in the terminal waiting room,

Patiently whiling their hours away,

Desperately keeping their demons at bay,

Making up lies about times that were good.

Extolling the virtues of motherhood,

Staunchly defending their sanity

Clutching one last shred of vanity

Fixing a kerchief she wears on her head

Covered in posies and lilacs in blues and in reds



Don't pity me, don't pity me,

You beautiful bastard boy,

I'll be just how i am.

I'll be just how i am.



The shopping bag ladies, it's not that well known but they're really in vogue.

The latest in fashions their tastes are so true,

Sweat sox and sneakers, a sweater or two

And safely behind the walls they have made,

Secure in their brown paper barricades

Worldly possessions they'll not have to lose

Lightweight emotional refuse.

They rant and they rave, they're mad and they're crazy.

And that's how they stay free.



Don't pity me, don't pity me,

You beautiful bastard boy,

I'll be just how i am.

I'll be just how i am.



The shopping bag ladies, it's hard to believe, but once they were children¡­

Shopping Bag Ladies

Hazell Dean's "Shopping Bag Ladies" stands as a defining track from her 1980s pop-rock catalog, showcasing her signature blend of upbeat rhythms and introspective lyrics. Released during the height of her career, the song exemplifies the era's shift toward more personal and narrative-driven pop, moving away from pure disco influences toward a sound that balanced commercial appeal with genuine emotional resonance. The recording features Dean's characteristic vocal delivery, characterized by a blend of sweetness and grit that became a hallmark of her work. While specific album placement details vary in historical records, the track remains a staple of her discography, often associated with the broader wave of British pop-rock that emerged in the early 1980s. It reflects a period where artists like Dean were successfully navigating the transition from new wave to mainstream pop, creating music that resonated deeply with audiences seeking both energy and vulnerability.