Flattery

Tops

(Ancient Text by Apollonius of Rhodes, translated by E.V. Rieu) and Tops (Contemporary Song by Rolling Stones)

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Both male narrators (Jason and the “I” in the Rolling Songs song) promise their female interlocutors fame, literally by “taking them to the top”. In one case this means promising Medea that she’ll be, like Ariadne, a constellation in the sky which everyone can see; in the other, the singer promises the woman that if she follows him, he’ll put her on a pedestal and make her successful. Both men are manipulative, but there are also differences in the two passages. In Apollonius’ text, we see the reaction of the woman (Medea is smitten), while in the song we only learn the male perspective. In addition, we only know how deceitful Jason is if we’ve read Euripides’ (earlier) play about the aftermath of Jason and Medea’s relationship, while the Rolling Stones song points to it directly with the line “Have you ever heard that opening line?”.

Ancient Text Excerpt:

Book III, pp. 135-6:

Grant me your aid and in the days to come I will reward you duly, repaying you as best I can from the distant land where I shall sing your praises….Remember Ariadne…She did not scruple to befriend Theseus and save him in his hour of trial…She was the darling of the gods and she has her emblem in the sky: all night a ring of stars called Ariadne’s Crown rolls on its way among the heavenly constellations. You too will be thanked by the gods if you save me and all my noble friends.

Key Lyrics:

Have you ever heard those opening lines
You should leave this small town way behind
I’ll be your partner
Show you the steps
With me behind, you’re tasting of the sweet wine of success
‘Cause I’ll, I’ll take you to the top, baby
Hey baby
I’ll take you to the top
I’ll take you to the top, baby
I’ll take you to the top


Click for full lyrics

Hey baby
Every man is the same come on
I’ll make you a star
I’ll take you a million miles from all this
Put you on a pedestal
Come on, come on
Have you ever heard those opening lines
You should leave this small town way behind
I’ll be your partner
Show you the steps
With me behind, you’re tasting of the sweet wine of success
‘Cause I’ll, I’ll take you to the top, baby
Hey baby
I’ll take you to the top
I’ll take you to the top, baby
I’ll take you to the top
Step on the ladder
Toe in the pool
You’re such a natural you don’t need no acting school
Don’t need no casting couch
Or be a star in bed
And never, never, never let success go to you pretty head
‘Cause I’ll, I’ll take you to the top, baby
I swear we’ll never going to stop, baby
I’ll take you to the top
Don’t let the world pass you by
Don’t let the world pass you by
Don’t let the world pass you by
You better take your chance now baby
I’m sorry for the rest of your sweet loving life, baby
Oh, sugar
Hey sugar, I’ll take you to the top
I’ll take you to the top
I’ll take you to the top, sugar
I’ll take you to the top
I’ll take you to the top
I’ll take you to the top
I’ll take you to the top
I’ll take you to the top
I’ll take you to the top

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