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.

Hollywood Briefly

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1877-1949) was an exceptional tap dancer, actor and union suit fan. Reportedly, he was the most highly paid African-American entertainer in the U.S. during the first half of the 1900's. He starred in vaudeville and minstrel shows moving later into films, radio, and television. Possibly his most famous and visible contribution was tap dancing with Shirley Temple in the movie, Little Colonel. Bill wore union suits throughout his life.

Shoot Out is a 1971 Universal western movie directed by Henry Hathaway and starring the incomparable Gregory Peck. Peck plays Clay Lomax, a rehabilitated bank robber. The film adaptation was from the 1930 novel, “The Lone Cowboy,” written by Will James. 

The story: upon Lomax completing a seven year prison sentence for bank robbery, he is set free. The warden is certain he'll be back, however. Lomax walks out of prison and goes on a quest seeking the partner who had betrayed him during the heist. But soon he is burdened with a young orphan girl who he feels obligated to look after. She, unwillingly at first, tags along on his journey. When Lomax and the girl happen upon a farm house occupied by a widow, Juliana Farrell, and her son, Dutch, they take refuge with the intent of waiting out an intense rain storm. After supper, the two kids are put to bed while the adults proceed to get acquainted. Both lonely, they seemingly fall for each other. 

But late that night a gang bursts in on them with ill intent. The gang leader holds them at gunpoint and demands to know who else is in the cabin.

He kicks in the door of the boy's bedroom and orders him out. Young Dutch rouses himself from bed in his union suit and joins his mom, Lomax and the girl. 

Dutch is told to go out and take care of the mens' horses. His mother is threatened with sure death if the boy does not do exactly as told. Dutch pulls a slicker on over his long underwear, grabs his boots...   

...and out the door into the night he goes...

Don't Get Caught Snoozing: Tune in to Union Suit Fans in the Limelight!

As Autumn Approaches More Great Articles and Photos are Comin' Your Way.... Chris

Added Sept 7, 2019: Not snoozing (yet) but almost ready to nod off...

Caught Napping 

Union Suit Fans:

Aren't you surprised as to the number of fellas who like to perform in their union suits, both the famous and the infamous, the known and the lesser known, and those that will become known? Take this email I received from Alex of Liberty, Ohio...

"Chris: I enjoy your blogs and look forward to each and every long underwear entry. Happy to see that you are back from your vacation and that you will be creating more postings in the coming year. Like you I'm a Union Suit Fan. I wanted to bring to your attention a band that my brother told me about awhile back. He lives in Texas. This band started in a small town in the Lone Star State. They travel and perform not only there but elsewhere now throughout the country. They are known as "The Possum Posse."  Attached are some photos from their blog, The Posse Blog. Hope you find this interesting enough to post, your union suited buddy, Alex."

Alex: Thanks for sending. I was not familiar with this band. I think they are pretty darn entertaining. I'm pretty sure other union suit fans will be interested too. They can read more in The Posse Blog if they care to.

From The Posse Blog....

Jake and Lincoln Enjoyed Performing 
in Red Union Suits and Boots

“The band was formed in 2002 as 'Rascal Red and The Possum Posse' in Clyde, Texas. We featured Jake on a homemade wash-tub bass, Lincoln on the banjo, and Jomo on the guitar/mandolin. Jake's outfit was the height of functionality. The gloves protected his hand from the 1/4-inch nylon string of the washtub bass, the boots protected his feet as we walked from house to house ringing doorbells and delivering hot, fresh bluegrass in 30 minutes or less. The red union suit kept him comfortable and let people know he was into 'fashion / slightly crazy' look." Lincoln is decked out in blue overalls over his union suit.

By 2005, Jake had left the band and joined the army. Lincoln continued to wear his overalls and red union suit. Danny joins the band with a real bass.

In 2007, the band had grown larger and began playing in various other venues across the USA, including New Jersey. Young Taylor had joined up and continued the tradition of performing in blue overalls and red union suit.

Fans: If you have run into performers of any kind who perform in their union suits, be sure to send them to me at: cayersnd@gmail.com