Rufus Is a Tit Man (Alternate Version)

Song Meaning

Loudon Wainwright III's "Rufus Is a Tit Man" is not just a silly ditty; it's a darkly humorous exploration of primal needs, Freudian fixations, and perhaps, a touch of familial envy. The song, ostensibly about his son Rufus's breastfeeding habits, quickly spirals into a broader commentary on oral fixations and the yearning for infantile comfort. Wainwright doesn't shy away from the Oedipal undertones, gleefully diving into the taboo with a wink and a nudge. The lyrics paint a picture of Rufus, the baby, as a creature of pure, unadulterated desire, blissfully unaware of societal constraints. He's got it good, this kid, and Wainwright knows it. But the song takes a turn as Wainwright implicates himself. He confesses to his own "oral" tendencies – cigarettes, wine, and beer – diagnosed, of course, by a doctor. This admission casts the entire song in a new light. It's not just about Rufus's innocent nursing; it's about Wainwright's own adult cravings, his own longing for the simple, uncomplicated pleasure that Rufus embodies. The lyrics become a confession, a self-deprecating acknowledgement of his own arrested development. He envies his son's satisfaction, a feeling many adults can relate to as they navigate the complexities of life. The reference to Romulus and Remus, suckled by a she-wolf, elevates the song beyond mere vulgarity, suggesting a primal, almost mythological connection to the source of nourishment. The final verse seals the deal, transforming the song into a bizarre, yet strangely poignant, fantasy. Wainwright imagines himself joining Rufus at the breast, a grown man seeking solace alongside his infant son. The "Madonna smile" he envisions is not just a maternal blessing; it's a symbol of acceptance, a vision of unconditional love and nourishment. "Rufus Is a Tit Man" is ultimately a provocative, uncomfortable, and undeniably funny song about the enduring power of our earliest desires and the lengths to which we'll go to recapture a lost sense of comfort. It's a Loudon Wainwright III special: equal parts shocking, confessional, and brilliant.