Wow. I was about to write about how the song's lyric is sort of weak, but also how the music exemplifies the '80s sound that folks found so attractive; and still do. In essence, the polymodal layering, danceable beat w/ syncopation, lean/hungry vocal style makes the song memorable and saves it from being mediocre.
But I read the lyrics again, and I found myself doing a little thought experiment, and it blew my mind a little.
At first, I did what most folks do with songs like this that sort of indict a 3rd person in the lyrics. You tend to want to identify with the singer, and proceed to grope about in your memory of life experiences for instances where you may also have encountered persons like the one being described in this lyric.
But then, I suddenly did a little experiment: I willingly turned the tables and asked myself the question: "Is the person being described here ME?" And I suppose it's going to be seen by some as self-flagellating to say this, but please take it in the spirit of self-reflection and full-disclosure intended: This song talks about a certain kind of person, and I am pretty much that kind of person.
I won't break down the lyrics: They're actually pretty straightforward in their description, though there are a few expressions that I don't quite resonate with.
Anyway, I think I can describe the interesting psychological effect I just encountered thusly: 1) The lyrics seemed tepid and meandering; like bad high-school poetry, then 2) I reversed the polarity on how to approach them to apply them to my own life experiences, and suddenly 3) the meaning came charging out like a rhino.
Wow. I was about to write about how the song's lyric is sort of weak, but also how the music exemplifies the '80s sound that folks found so attractive; and still do. In essence, the polymodal layering, danceable beat w/ syncopation, lean/hungry vocal style makes the song memorable and saves it from being mediocre.
But I read the lyrics again, and I found myself doing a little thought experiment, and it blew my mind a little.
At first, I did what most folks do with songs like this that sort of indict a 3rd person in the lyrics. You tend to want to identify with the singer, and proceed to grope about in your memory of life experiences for instances where you may also have encountered persons like the one being described in this lyric.
But then, I suddenly did a little experiment: I willingly turned the tables and asked myself the question: "Is the person being described here ME?" And I suppose it's going to be seen by some as self-flagellating to say this, but please take it in the spirit of self-reflection and full-disclosure intended: This song talks about a certain kind of person, and I am pretty much that kind of person.
I won't break down the lyrics: They're actually pretty straightforward in their description, though there are a few expressions that I don't quite resonate with.
Anyway, I think I can describe the interesting psychological effect I just encountered thusly: 1) The lyrics seemed tepid and meandering; like bad high-school poetry, then 2) I reversed the polarity on how to approach them to apply them to my own life experiences, and suddenly 3) the meaning came charging out like a rhino.
Think about that.
you actually 100% right
you actually 100% right