Something You Should Know About Desdemona

Remember how I was saying that Fame was very influential on me? I must have been around eight. There is an episode where they do a musical version of Othello and perform a song called "Desdemona." It is one of my favorite songs on the Kids From Fame album. I realized that this was probably one of my first introductions to Shakespeare.




Any time Dad and I were watching/listening to something that made a reference to Othello - maybe quote 'the green-eyed monster' or someone gets called Iago - I would look at him confused. He would only have to sing a couple of words, "You know... oo my Des-de-mooonaa," and I would understand the reference immediately.



I had an important plot detail wrong, though. The only thing I knew about Othello came directly from this song. It took me awhile just to learn the name of the play (note that only Desdemona's name gets mentioned). I thought that Desdemona did cheat on Othello and what Iago told him was true. A rather important plot piece to get wrong!
One thing I got slightly wrong was some of the lyrics. The real lyrics are "I'm warning you / Don't know what I'll do / If you're love isn't true." Between the singing and the New York accent, for the longest time I thought it was: "I'm wanting you / to know what I'll do / if your love isn't true." It still made sense. Sounds like a threat from someone who is about to pull an O.J.
Below is an edited version of the lyrics (I just left out the background vocals). You can listen to a low-quality version of "Desdemona" at Fame Forever. It's a pop-up so I can't link it directly. Click on tv show then sounds.

"Desdemona"
Music and Lyrics by Barry Fasman and Steve Sperry

Othello:

Ooo my Desdemona
Our lovin's been so good
You know I wanna hold you
I wonder if I could

Iago:

Such a fine kind of lady

Emilia:

Making the boys so crazy

Iago & Emilia:

There's something you should know about Desdemona

Othello:

Don't ya ever leave me

Don't know what I'd do
Can't I just believe your love is really true?

Iago:

She just might deceive you
Take you for a fool

Othello:

I can't stand the thought of someone touching you

You say that she's been messin' with a friend of mine
Don't you keep me guessing what I'm gonna find

Iago:

She not just your woman
Your not her only man

Othello:

If I can't have her for myself
Than no one can

I'm warning you
Don't know what I'll do
If your love isn't true

Desdemona
Watch you step
If your stepping out on me

Desdemona
Don't know what I'll do
If you leave me