First, let me say I told everyone back in 1981 that I was in love with five women. The Go Go's were probably the band I was most "into"...ever. So this is a note from a true fan. I recently read Belinda Carlisle's autobiography, where she said this song was about the group starting to lose their enthusiasm for the band and each other. I think she was close, but missed another level of the real meaning. I believe that Jane and Gina wrote the song about Belinda (and possibly about Charlotte, too) and her ongoing issues with drugs and alcohol. I think they were trying to reach her by making her sing the words at every show.
"We're all looking for a good time" - The Go Go's were enjoying their popularity, and understand that she wants to enjoy herself
"But what we get is empty rhyme" - Belinda is showing up for shows and rehearsals with less than full enthusiasm (the lyrics she was singing - the "rhyme" - were lacking emotion and investment)
"When everything's right but nothing's fine" - The band's career is going great, but internally, they're unahppy with the way things are going between them
"It's everything but partytime" - They want Belinda to stop partying and get serious about the band again
First, let me say I told everyone back in 1981 that I was in love with five women. The Go Go's were probably the band I was most "into"...ever. So this is a note from a true fan. I recently read Belinda Carlisle's autobiography, where she said this song was about the group starting to lose their enthusiasm for the band and each other. I think she was close, but missed another level of the real meaning. I believe that Jane and Gina wrote the song about Belinda (and possibly about Charlotte, too) and her ongoing issues with drugs and alcohol. I think they were trying to reach her by making her sing the words at every show.
"We're all looking for a good time" - The Go Go's were enjoying their popularity, and understand that she wants to enjoy herself
"But what we get is empty rhyme" - Belinda is showing up for shows and rehearsals with less than full enthusiasm (the lyrics she was singing - the "rhyme" - were lacking emotion and investment)
"When everything's right but nothing's fine" - The band's career is going great, but internally, they're unahppy with the way things are going between them
"It's everything but partytime" - They want Belinda to stop partying and get serious about the band again