Letter: Flared nostrils leave listeners uptight

Sir: Professor Simon Frith has got it wrong ('Academic waxes lyrical about pop's meaning', 22 January). His analysis of 'She blew my nose and then she blew my mind', sung by the Rolling Stones, is adapted from the original US soul record made by the Valentinos. Penned by Bobby and Cecil Womack, it included 'She hurt my nose open', which was a black expression for being hurt, of being emotionally battered, what you might called flared nostril distress. It had nothing to do with cocaine or sex.

What the BBC didn't realise was that the Stevie Wonder hit 'Uptight' was Sixties black slang, which directly addressed sexual gratification. If only they'd known.

Yours faithfully,

GRAHAM FINCH

Sheffield

22 January