A new sexual landscape has evolved within our culture. 30 years ago, women were expected to save their bodies (and thus their reputation) for someone they love, while men were encouraged to play the field. Today, much has changed. Men are still expected to be players, but women have jumped in the arena with them. Dating has been replaced with sexual encounters void of love and commitment. I think that's what this song is about.
To play the game effectively, men and women must remain unattached as mentioned in the song, "For when commitment is a dirty word / You can't afford to ever slip or let down your guard."
Love, while desired, is put on hold or seen as in impossible.
"I daren't speak of what I'm wishing uselessly / My stupid vision clears to see a sugar mountain melt in me."
I think the chorus is about either party trying to rationalize this cultural phenomenon. By playing the game, they're both trivializing sex and intimacy and convincing themselves it's ok by saying, "You're not big in my life," and "I'm not big in your life."
A new sexual landscape has evolved within our culture. 30 years ago, women were expected to save their bodies (and thus their reputation) for someone they love, while men were encouraged to play the field. Today, much has changed. Men are still expected to be players, but women have jumped in the arena with them. Dating has been replaced with sexual encounters void of love and commitment. I think that's what this song is about.
To play the game effectively, men and women must remain unattached as mentioned in the song, "For when commitment is a dirty word / You can't afford to ever slip or let down your guard."
Love, while desired, is put on hold or seen as in impossible. "I daren't speak of what I'm wishing uselessly / My stupid vision clears to see a sugar mountain melt in me."
I think the chorus is about either party trying to rationalize this cultural phenomenon. By playing the game, they're both trivializing sex and intimacy and convincing themselves it's ok by saying, "You're not big in my life," and "I'm not big in your life."