From "Inside sorority rush, the blood sport making college girls millionaires/Competition for sisterhoods is big business for Kylan Darnell, the Alabama student who chronicles it all like a reality show. Shame her sister wants no part" (London Times).
Here's Darnell's TikTok feed if you want to see what's so popular in this sorority-girl category.
I went to college in 1969 and everyone I knew believed sororities were about to go extinct. As if hippiedom would reign forever. Anyway... what's interesting here? Lots of things. The intersection of college and TikTok. The endless fascination with makeup and fashion.
But I'll just cherry-pick one thing: "They keep a close eye." Is that the expression? Did she conflate 2 expressions — "close watch" and "keep an eye on" — possibly influenced by the opening lines of "I Walk the Line" — "I keep a close watch on this heart of mine / I keep my eyes wide open all the time"? I think "close eye" is idiomatic. More important, is that what young women want — a close eye?
CORRECTION: I had originally named the wrong Johnny Cash song. I mix up "I Walk the Line" with "Ring of Fire." Honestly, I've disliked both songs for a long time. They both have a line drawn, and he's either inside the line or outside of it. He's fixated on that line. It's all about control and loss of control.
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Tell us you were a Kappa at Michigan.
" Keep a close eye on" is a common expression.
The day I arrived freshman year, a girl decided to choose the floor outside my room as a place to sit and cry - loudly - about not getting into the sorority of her choice. Knew little about them before and had no interest in learning after that experience. Weird thing was she didn't even live on our floor.
That Kylan has eyes like a Disney princess.
Went to Illinois early-mid 70s.
Had no interest in joining a frat, nor much interest in dating sorority girls. They did their thing, we did ours. Knew a lot of frat guys though, and had no ill feelings. I confess we did enjoy cleaning their clocks in intramural sports.
"Keep a close eye on it." was a common expression in New England in the '50s.
"I went to college in 1969 and everyone I knew believed.."
isn't that Just the Cutest Thing you've Ever Read!?
it's ALWAYS FUN to hear what people in a bubble believe
Yes, I recall ‘keep a close eye on it’…and while they are vocal cheese grater for Ann I’m all for malaphors, especially originals. Go ahead and slather them all over your TikToks sports makeup sorority girl! It isn’t rocket surgery…
I think the difference on idioms "keep a close eye on" and "keep an eye on" is tone. The former is more negative when you suspect the object might go astray, while the latter is a bit more positive. I would think the young ladies would prefer the latter, but I'm sure the PR minded sororities prefer the former.
Is that song about Jesus?
What would Debby Boone say?
Anecdotally, "keep a close eye on" is much more common than "keep a close watch". The former seems caring, the latter authoritarian.
Everyone I knew voted for Hillary, also. They can't figure out why sororities outlived hippies.
Note that the post says "I think "close eye" is idiomatic."
I questioned whether it was but decided it was before publishing. Thanks for the supporting my bottom line.
But to me "close eye" seemed weird.
I don’t think these girls have ever heard Johnny Cash. Even as portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, or by Boyd Holbrook in the Dylan film (he almost turns it into another Johnny Cash biopic, btw).
RR
JSM
I also thought people who went to college to get tracked into a career were missing the point. I majored in art on the theory that I wanted to burn all my bridges. There's no going back now!
Or maybe they don't want their private lives and choices exposed. Nobody made her join.
Or maybe she's unstable and they're trying to help her.
Or maybe she's a lousy student and they're being loyal and trying to model disciplined behavior.
Stats show that sorority girls tend to do better in classes than the non-sorority students.
She could always quit.
"I don’t think these girls have ever heard Johnny Cash."
You need to understand TikTok: "Ring of Fire is a song by Johnny Cash... The song has been used in 188K videos on TikTok as of March 8, 2025."
https://tokchart.com/sounds/johnny-cash-ring-of-fire_6696417943695149058?utm_source=chatgpt.com
lousy student, comma
See also: "A strange Johnny Cash song went viral on TikTok
Johnny Cash’s song ‘The Chicken in Black’ was recently one of TikTok’s most popular songs." https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2024/05/08/johnny-cash-tiktok/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
1.3 million followers and a six figure income (sometimes 6 figures in just one month), and she hasn't even graduated from college! I'm impressed. (I was a poor dormie.)
…and a word about the social media obsession- it’s big financial stakes for these kids right away, FIRST because college athletes now possess and capitalize on their likeness while still in school, the schools now offer media assistance to the students to manage online profiles and TWO, even though the top athletes may be graduating with what was recently pro career level compensation, it means these sorority girls can leave with big dollars, too. I have nieces and nephews who majored in performance arts, one was a child performer with a fat pension before she graduated high school and the other a film and video major what graduated down in Phoenix a few weeks ago and already has a national commercial on his resume- look for it on the golf today! What’s most surprising is while they have net worths on the quite healthy side of positive, they’re nothing compared to their friend and neighbor who in her mid twenties already owns two homes and has mid six figure income, all from social media. She does a bit cheeky gay lady stuff but no creeper onlyfans, or so uncle is told 🧐…
Grok: "Yes, it is generally fair to assume that college students today (primarily Gen Z, aged 18-24 in 2025) have at least a baseline familiarity with Johnny Cash and his song "Ring of Fire," though this varies by individual exposure, cultural background, and region. Cash's legacy as a cultural icon in American music—spanning country, rock, and folk—has endured through media, social platforms, education, and pop culture references, making him more recognizable than many legacy artists from his era (e.g., compared to less mainstream figures like Hank Williams). "Ring of Fire," released in 1963, stands out as one of his most enduring hits due to its catchy melody, thematic depth (love as a "burning" force), and frequent use in modern contexts. Below, I'll break down the reasoning based on available evidence, including trends among young people...."
A reddit discussion: "Why is gen z so into Johnny Cash? I'm definitely not against it, but I've noticed that a lot of Johnny Cash songs are trending on social media. Why are the younger generations listening so into him now?"
https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/1cevx0k/why_is_gen_z_so_into_johnny_cash/
I went to college in 1969 and everyone I knew believed sororities were about to go extinct. As if hippiedom would reign forever.
It has. Oh, it has...
Ring of Fire," released in 1963, stands out as one of his most enduring hits due to its catchy melody, thematic depth (love as a "burning" force), and frequent use in modern context
…the hot sauce helps keep it in play, too. Personally I’m surprised the youngsters don’t take up the I’ve Been Everywhere challenge because that would be impressive. A few pros cover, jade bird does okay but she karaokes the words…
"Ring of Fire" was on the playlist at SF Giants games (Candlestick and Pac Bell) for many years.
It burns, burns, burns.
…the other thing is they need to move quickly because nobody is going to want to her from a talentless old sorority girl. (Yes I’m talking about you Peggy Noonan!)
Most of my coworkers are GenZ. Like many generations before it, they are obsessed with their grandparents generation of the 60s and 70s.
1.3 million followers and a six figure income (sometimes 6 figures in just one month)..
i HOPE she's got a good investment councilor..
Through out history, there've been a LOT a young girls that made a LOT of money.. For a SHORT TIME..
They fade away as fast as they blow up ..
what will THIS girl be doing in 10 years?
i don't know Either.. but i'm SURE it WON'T be tiktok
This isn't some unstable slut sitting in her own apartment showing creepy old men her ass in order to make rent.
This is a young woman monetizing the exposure of her roomates' private lives, or her version of them, apparently without acquiring the legal right to disclose from the people she writes about. That's an appalling violation of privacy. It's also a violation, per her own words, of the legally enforcable contract she signed in order to join a private organization. The sorority should expel her before she really ruins someone's chance at a job or, worse, lures some sicko to their residence.
rehajm, you're always a voice of reason. Surely you must understand that what your young relatives' friend is doing is fetish porn, and if she's making that much money, she may be doing worse under an assumed name or in local clubs. Have a reasonable conversation with your nieces and nephews about the likely consequences of going down that road.
When I was in grad school, it was hip for the "pro-sex feminists" to work in strip clubs and "lingerie studios" -- really gutter massage parlors without the massage before the happy ending. A few male grad students who worked out and worked as bouncers at these clubs even got written up in a national magazine, some 'Derrida by Day, Gold Club at Night' pile of humiliating garbage. Nobody dared to question their choices. It didn't turn out well for any of them, and one woman I cared about a great deal, a very talented if emotionally unstable educator, fell into the life of being an escort and eventually died young from that lifestyle. On several occasions, I begged her to stop, but it was generally affirmed by others as a "sex-positive" and "transgressive" thing to do. How sad.
They should really take “When the Man Comes Around” to heart.
"I keep a close watch on this heart of mine"
First song I thought of was John Cale's Close Watch.
“Bama Rush” is an interesting documentary on Alabama Sororities.
A friends daughter started at Ole Miss. The Sorority culture was insane. Mothers would climb trees to observe their daughters during rush. There would be a huge amount of withdrawals from the school after rush because girls who did not get into their preferred sorority would leave (thus was fixed when they pushed the last date to withdraw without penalty to before the end of rush).
I went to a Catholic school so there was no Greek life. The first time I was really exposed to it was through “Animal House”.
The “close eye” they are talking about sounds like a close corporation: the "punctilio of an honor the most sensitive.”
In some jurisdictions, the fiduciary duty of shareholders in a close corporation is held to the standard of "the punctilio of an honor the most sensitive," a direct comparison to the duty owed between partners. This heightened standard demands utmost good faith and loyalty, exceeding the less stringent standard of "inherent fairness" generally applied to directors and shareholders of public corporations.
The phrase "punctilio of an honor the most sensitive" comes from the 1928 New York Court of Appeals case Meinhard v. Salmon. This strict standard prevents fiduciaries from acting out of self-interest in a way that harms their business partners.
And try subscribing to this sorority girl's site, and direct message her with a tawdry request, and see what types of pictures you get then -- for cash, of course. The public images are just a sign that she's open for business.
Fraternities, private men's clubs, faculty senates, and business offices all enforce a code of acceptable behavior. If you showed up at your office in pajamas bottoms or showed up online doing pay-for-porn, there's a strong chance you would lose your day job. If you published tic-toks whining about how your easily identifiable boss made you feel you had to conform to stupid rules, good luck finding your next job. The internet is forever.
Not a bad version of the Gershwin tune, but it is really a lot better when the verse is included, you can listen to Ella Fitzgerald for an example:
https://youtu.be/9kh4ffPyj-g
How many sorority girls does it take to change a light bulb?
1 to change the bulb and 100 to sing and clap.
I think close means proximity, sphere of influence, like the saying “keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.”
Trent: "If you showed up at your office in pajamas bottoms or showed up online doing pay-for-porn, there's a strong chance you would lose your day job. If you published tic-toks whining about how your easily identifiable boss made you feel you had to conform to stupid rules, good luck finding your next job. "
Maybe the pendulum is swinging back to reality, but I think you could just threaten a countersuit and even more bad publicity for their discrimination against your body-positive sex-worker side hustle. Similar with future jobs rejecting you. Some companies might even be happy to check the "unshamed slut" quota box and would hire you for some no-show or no-work boondoggle. Could probably collect enough in settlements and ghost paychecks to live pretty comfortably when combined with the OnlyFans money.
RR
JSM
Begs the question — is someone keeping a close eye, close enough to see that person with the naked eye?
Wince: I saw Punctilio of an Honor Most Sensitive when they opened for The Darkness at Wembley.
RR
JSM
“But to me "close eye" seemed weird.“
AI overview: “"Eyes wide shut" refers to the state of willful ignorance or deliberate denial of obvious but uncomfortable truths, a concept that extends to both individuals and society. It describes a person who is aware of something but chooses to ignore it, much like a dream state where one might be sleepwalking through life's routines and desires. The phrase, and the Stanley Kubrick film of the same name, explores themes of hidden desires, societal hypocrisy, the struggle between marital fidelity and lust, and the way wealth and power can allow people to act on their darkest impulses while remaining hidden from consequences.”
>AMDG said...
I went to a Catholic school so there was no Greek life. The first time I was really exposed to it was through “Animal House”.<
Well, actually, you weren't. “Animal House” as real exposure to Greek life - that's the funniest comment here so far.
The quote is from a Johnny Cash song, but it is not Ring of Fire, but I Walk the Line.
“I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash, written by Johnny Cash:
[Verse 1]
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you’re mine, I walk the line
[Verse 2]
I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day’s through
Yes, I’ll admit that I’m a fool for you
Because you’re mine, I walk the line
[Verse 3]
As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I’ve known proves that it’s right
Because you’re mine, I walk the line
[Verse 4]
You’ve got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can’t hide
For you I know I’d even try to turn the tide
Because you’re mine, I walk the line
[Verse 5]
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you’re mine, I walk the line
Loss of individuality has always been the major complaint against sororities and fraternities. But however much we claim to be individuals and value individualism, the world is tough on those who are on their own and truly go their own way. If you're in a herd, it's harder to be picked off.
This is the great cycle, though. Sororities and fraternities tend to be big in conservative times. Then a generation that came of age in a conservative era comes of age, wants something different, rejects fraternities and embraces some other form of silliness. Eventually, the next generation or half generation returns to the silliness of sororities.
Now join me in the next thread in giving the side-eye to Harry Sidebottom and his gladiators.
“I also thought people who went to college to get tracked into a career were missing the point. “
Perhaps it is different for men. In certain wild animal communities young males are cast out of society until they can challenge the powerful old men who control access to females. Young men need to achieve social and financial success quickly and that means a well compensated respectable career. That can be in arts or philosophy but odds are it is not. The nihilism of approaching the world as an antagonist by prior intent is a life strategy I suppose.
A lucky man, like me, seeks eduction in a field he loves doing, and the money just follows along behind.
Education, but eduction works as well.
“ The quote is from a Johnny Cash song, but it is not Ring of Fire, but I Walk the Line.”
LOL
I just noticed the mistake myself and corrected it then came in here to see why nobody had corrected me so thanks to Josephbleau for finally pointing it out
I see why I mix up those two songs and I remember them when they were current songs and I disliked Johnny Cash at the time. One refers to a ring and one refers to a line. It’s very much about relationships understood in terms of control. You’re either on the outside of the line or ring and you fall into it and everything goes down from there or you’re already in the relationship and you’re afraid you might be forced out of it by not abiding by the requirements. It’s really very unpleasant!
At the risk of over commenting:
In I walk the line Cash explains that the value of his relationship is more than that of a temporary opportunity. It shows that a mature approach to delayed gratification and self control make a better man.
In ring of fire, the story is the intensity and consuming nature that we as animals experience in how we are incentivized toward reproduction. It is a celebration of how evolution has strategized our very lives.
These are not negative things.
Maybe this is just a regional expression- if I'm "keeping a close eye" on a student taking a test, it might be because I'm concerned they may try to cheat on the exam so I am monitoring their actions closely. I might also keep a close eye on a child learning to use a vegetable peeler or electric drill to be sure they are using the tool safely so they don't get hurt. Darnell is from Alabama -maybe it's just a southern thing that seems odd to Wisconsin ears
Stats show that sorority girls tend to do better in classes than the non-sorority students.
Quite a bit better, in fact. They all have minimum GPA requirements and will kick members out for repeated poor performance. Some of them, notably Kappa Alpha Theta and Pi Beta Phi at my college, were well known for demanding SAT scores and limiting their bids to girls who were unquestionably intelligent. I dated a lovely Pi Phi for a while, with some very fond memories that persist decades later, and it's almost comical how far away she and her sisters were from the ditzy, slutty blonde dingbat stereotype of sorority girls. Most were very accomplished young women with great leadership qualities and a thirst to excel. Some were there for the "MRS." degree, but not so many as you might think. Many went on to grad school.
They were all beautiful and well-dressed, of course, and in those bygone days they were also policed by their house-mother and officers for any signs of drug-taking, habitual drunkenness, and promiscuity. I'm sure that most of the men who married them counted themselves extremely lucky to have won the hearts of such high-quality young ladies.
Fraternity men also outperform "independents" scholastically, although not as markedly as sorority women do. We had mandatory study hall when I was a pledge, and a useful filing cabinet full of old tests for review, but I don't recall any pressure to keep my grades up once I went active. A gentleman's C was perfectly fine. Our fraternity's most successful brothers after graduation, which included two self-made billionaires, were seldom the ones with high grades.
Well, actually, you weren't. “Animal House” as real exposure to Greek life - that's the funniest comment here so far.
Just as "Scrubs" is sometimes said to be the only medical TV show that doctors will watch, as a fraternity man I can say that "Animal House" is the only film dealing with fraternity life that I would ever bother to see again.
Absolutely none of the medical dramas or fraternity comedies are very close to real life, so going over-the-top in the other direction gives more leeway for lampooning the targets that most richly deserve it.
I found a great concert by the highwaymen (Waylon, Johnny, Willie and Kris) on YouTube the other day and grabbed the audio. Was listening to ring of fire.
Also wondering about the geographic of folsom prison blues.
If he shot a man in reno, why is he in a California prison?
And how does a train rolling past folsom get to San a tone?
John Henry
"Close eye" is common in the Southland, as noted above.
I never had any use for the social organizations, and vice versa. Of course, at a big state commuter school, and given that I was there with about half of my best high school buds anyway . . .
Some of my friends' older brothers were already there, and using drugs and drinking as much as humanly possible. I was a bit surprised (for no good reason) to find that many of them were frat guys.
"These are not negative things."
I realize that they are not presented as negative, but both define relationships by drawing a line and being intimidated by that line. Closely watching yourself because you're afraid of losing what you have and falling down down into fire once you've reached a line — that's not something that appeals to me — not at the time the songs were hits and not now.
Would you like to hear your spouse describe how they feel about you like that? I agree that in both songs, the singer expresses how much he values the relationship, but I don't think it's appealing to the person on the receiving end!
Why is gen z so into Johnny Cash? I'm definitely not against it, but I've noticed that a lot of Johnny Cash songs are trending on social media.
Johnny Cash has been respected by younger musicians and music fans for quite a long time. He collaborated with U2, Tom Petty, and a fair number of well known musicians from the grunge era like Kurt Novoselic of Nirvana. I remember Social Distortion did a memorable cover of "Ring of Fire" in the early 90's, and Cash covered songs by Nine Inch Nails and a lot of other younger acts towards the end of his career.
“Would you like to hear your spouse describe how they feel about you like that?”
It’s an internal monologue, guidance from father to son. We spare women these thoughts as they spare us from their fascination with pool boys or what , I am not well versed here.
We just care about the end result, love, faithfulness, and passion. I am a behaviorist.
Saint Aquinas did not need a bible, smart men and women don’t need the assistance of Johnny Cash. I agree with that.
There are things you learn in a college fraternity that are very hard to learn elsewhere: how to lead people when you can't give them orders, how to work within and sustain a self-governing community, how to get along long term with people different from you, how to work as a team even in trivial things.
I don't think it's an accident that these skills are sadly lacking in our current administrative / managerial class, who seem incapable of doing anything but giving orders. Lack of general leadership skills everywhere is what is behind the bureaucratization of everything that is dragging all of our institutions down.
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