Rules, Regulations, and Rufus

Rufus Wainwright, born Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright in July, 1973, is the real deal as a singer, composer, and songwriter. He hails originally from Rhinebeck, New York. So it's only appropriate that I was introduced to him a couple of years back by another New Yorker, Joe of New York City. And again more recently by Rich of Buffalo, New York.

His parents, from whom he inherited his good looks and musical talent, were folk singers, Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle. After his parent's divorce, his mother raised him in Montreal, Canada.

Union Suit Fans appreciate his musical video performance of Rules and Regulations© in which he appears for much of the video in his long underwear. The video was directed by Petro Papahadjopoulos in July 2007. Written by Rufus, “Rules” was from his fifth album, Release the Stars.

The video features Rufus visiting a mansion or men's club complete with a butler, most probably located in an exclusive area of London, England. Rufus discards his robe...

and begins singing and dancing in his union suit. He is joined by a group of men in victorian gym wear who exercise and dance to the music. 

The Lyrics: I will never be as cute as you

According to the board of human relations
I will never fly as high as you
According to the board of public citations.

These are just the rules and regulations
Of the birds and the bees
The earth and the trees
Not to mention the gods, not to mention the gods.

All my little life I've wanted to roam
Even if it was just inside my own home
Then one little day I chanced to look back
Saw you sittin' there being a sad culprit.

These are just the rules and regulations
Yeah, these are just the rules and regulations
And I, like every one; yes I, like every one
Must follow them.

Joe of NYC and I discussed the meaning of the lyrics and video back in May of 2017. Joe thought the message was a "subliminal one - he was stripping away all falsehoods and shams and getting down to the basic truths about things. The words don't exactly fit a man leisurely strolling about in nothing but a white union suit and high top dress shoes unless it is to say that rules and regulations tell us to dress accordingly and he has decided to disrobe and do the opposite. So, in short, I don't know why he got down to his union suit but it is interesting."

I tried unsuccessfully to contact Rufus and his manager for an explanation as to the meaning of this music video but received no response.

Thanks to Rufus Wainwright, Union Suit Fan, and
Warner Chappell Music, Inc.