I've watched the actual video on YouTube a few times, and if you notice, it's almost as if there are two Adams in it. The one wearing the black t-shirt, hanging around the house... the other in a suit, singing at a concert. I think he did this song, and the video, as if it is two people singing it to each other. Pay attention to how the camera cuts between casual Adam and concert Adam, grouped with the lyrics:
Casual Adam: "Hey, slow it down" (0:11) through "Whataya want from me?" (0:51)
Concert Adam: "Just don't give up, I'm working it out" (0:52) through "Whataya want from me?" (1:19)
Casual Adam: "Yeah, it's plain to see, baby you're beautiful" (1:20) through "I wouldn't even try but I think you could save my life" (1:51)
Concert Adam: "Just don't give up, I'm working it out" (1:52) through "Whataya want from me?" (2:20)
Casual Adam: "Just don't give up on me" (2:29) through "No, I won't let you down" (2:45)
Concert Adam: "Just don't give up, I'm working it out" (2:51) through "Please don't give in, I won't let you down" (3:03)
Then "both" sing: "It messed me up, need a second to breathe" etc. (3:04)
It's like "they" are singing this to each "other," like two people in a relationship who are struggling might. Asking each other what they want, trying to reassure each other, asking for patience. At times it even looks as if one is yelling at the "other" while the "other" sings - they're speaking, not singing, while the "other" voice continues to sing.
When you think about the fact that Adam is openly gay, to sing a duet portraying a couple communicating back and forth, what are his choices? Another male singer, or another female singer... a lot of the public would freak if it were a male, and a lot of the public would roll their eyes if it were a female. He found a third option... to basically "play" two different "parts." No worries about disillusioning or distracting people with homosexuality or heterosexuality being portrayed... just Adam, doing what he does best... singing his heart out.
well, you pointed out a very important thing about the music video. I was going to make a comment alone, but I decided to use yours to put my several thoughts about this song here. almost everyone seems to understand that it's not just about a relationship, that it could be directed to anybody: fans, loved ones, society, haters, mom, dad, brother, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, lover, BFF, friends, people, dog and blablabla. just another person, and somehow you, noticed the fact that it could be about himself. other people too, but no one gave an idea similar to mine.. you...
well, you pointed out a very important thing about the music video. I was going to make a comment alone, but I decided to use yours to put my several thoughts about this song here. almost everyone seems to understand that it's not just about a relationship, that it could be directed to anybody: fans, loved ones, society, haters, mom, dad, brother, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, lover, BFF, friends, people, dog and blablabla. just another person, and somehow you, noticed the fact that it could be about himself. other people too, but no one gave an idea similar to mine.. you got close.
for me, it's like... a song that you could sing to yourself. its like you and yourself. you struggling of the self conflicts. i dont know if its because i feel totally this way about me, however i'm starting really to believe that this "you" of the lyrics is "me". you expecting too much of yourself. "Whataya want from me?" "I'm not perfect, remember that?" "Just slow it down, and don't give up on you" many ppl say that, "dont give up on you", "trust yourself", "be yourself"
this song could pretty much be about that, don't you think?
I also agree that the song is about the struggle of two individuals in a relationship but I also believe that it can also be interpreted differently as a song to the past and present selves of the singer. The struggle to meet expectations and values from both periods of their career (the old and the intensity of the new) and finding a way to satisfy both as they handle the insecurities of the present. A motivational song for the present by receiving some reassurance from the past.
The complexity of this song is why I love it so much ^w^...
I also agree that the song is about the struggle of two individuals in a relationship but I also believe that it can also be interpreted differently as a song to the past and present selves of the singer. The struggle to meet expectations and values from both periods of their career (the old and the intensity of the new) and finding a way to satisfy both as they handle the insecurities of the present. A motivational song for the present by receiving some reassurance from the past.
The complexity of this song is why I love it so much ^w^
I've watched the actual video on YouTube a few times, and if you notice, it's almost as if there are two Adams in it. The one wearing the black t-shirt, hanging around the house... the other in a suit, singing at a concert. I think he did this song, and the video, as if it is two people singing it to each other. Pay attention to how the camera cuts between casual Adam and concert Adam, grouped with the lyrics:
Casual Adam: "Hey, slow it down" (0:11) through "Whataya want from me?" (0:51) Concert Adam: "Just don't give up, I'm working it out" (0:52) through "Whataya want from me?" (1:19) Casual Adam: "Yeah, it's plain to see, baby you're beautiful" (1:20) through "I wouldn't even try but I think you could save my life" (1:51) Concert Adam: "Just don't give up, I'm working it out" (1:52) through "Whataya want from me?" (2:20) Casual Adam: "Just don't give up on me" (2:29) through "No, I won't let you down" (2:45) Concert Adam: "Just don't give up, I'm working it out" (2:51) through "Please don't give in, I won't let you down" (3:03)
Then "both" sing: "It messed me up, need a second to breathe" etc. (3:04)
It's like "they" are singing this to each "other," like two people in a relationship who are struggling might. Asking each other what they want, trying to reassure each other, asking for patience. At times it even looks as if one is yelling at the "other" while the "other" sings - they're speaking, not singing, while the "other" voice continues to sing.
When you think about the fact that Adam is openly gay, to sing a duet portraying a couple communicating back and forth, what are his choices? Another male singer, or another female singer... a lot of the public would freak if it were a male, and a lot of the public would roll their eyes if it were a female. He found a third option... to basically "play" two different "parts." No worries about disillusioning or distracting people with homosexuality or heterosexuality being portrayed... just Adam, doing what he does best... singing his heart out.
I think it's fantastic and brilliant.
well, you pointed out a very important thing about the music video. I was going to make a comment alone, but I decided to use yours to put my several thoughts about this song here. almost everyone seems to understand that it's not just about a relationship, that it could be directed to anybody: fans, loved ones, society, haters, mom, dad, brother, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, lover, BFF, friends, people, dog and blablabla. just another person, and somehow you, noticed the fact that it could be about himself. other people too, but no one gave an idea similar to mine.. you...
well, you pointed out a very important thing about the music video. I was going to make a comment alone, but I decided to use yours to put my several thoughts about this song here. almost everyone seems to understand that it's not just about a relationship, that it could be directed to anybody: fans, loved ones, society, haters, mom, dad, brother, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, lover, BFF, friends, people, dog and blablabla. just another person, and somehow you, noticed the fact that it could be about himself. other people too, but no one gave an idea similar to mine.. you got close. for me, it's like... a song that you could sing to yourself. its like you and yourself. you struggling of the self conflicts. i dont know if its because i feel totally this way about me, however i'm starting really to believe that this "you" of the lyrics is "me". you expecting too much of yourself. "Whataya want from me?" "I'm not perfect, remember that?" "Just slow it down, and don't give up on you" many ppl say that, "dont give up on you", "trust yourself", "be yourself" this song could pretty much be about that, don't you think?
I also agree that the song is about the struggle of two individuals in a relationship but I also believe that it can also be interpreted differently as a song to the past and present selves of the singer. The struggle to meet expectations and values from both periods of their career (the old and the intensity of the new) and finding a way to satisfy both as they handle the insecurities of the present. A motivational song for the present by receiving some reassurance from the past. The complexity of this song is why I love it so much ^w^...
I also agree that the song is about the struggle of two individuals in a relationship but I also believe that it can also be interpreted differently as a song to the past and present selves of the singer. The struggle to meet expectations and values from both periods of their career (the old and the intensity of the new) and finding a way to satisfy both as they handle the insecurities of the present. A motivational song for the present by receiving some reassurance from the past. The complexity of this song is why I love it so much ^w^