Yesterday I wrote about mondegreens, which got me thinking about how I don’t really pay good attention to lyrics, period. At least not usually. I mean, there are some songs I know all or most of the words to, but that doesn’t mean I’ve taken the time to really think about what they’re saying. I think that’s why I think those TikTok videos that show people suddenly understanding the words to songs from their younger years are so funny to me.
My husband and I were on a date early in our relationship when the Bryan Adams song, “Run to You” came over the restaurant sound system. “Oh, I love this song!” I exclaimed and proceeded to sing along, “I’m gonna run to you…”
“You know what this song is about right?” my husband asked, looking at me a little bit horrified.
“What? I’m gonna run to you. Obviously, the feeling’s right cuz he’s gonna run all night.” Duh.
“Have you never listened to the other lyrics? This guy’s cheating!” Cue record screeching in my head.
“Wait, what???” Well, it turns out it’s right there in the first lines:
She says her love for me could never die
But that’d change if she ever found out about you and I
That sure put a damper on my enthusiasm for that song.
Fast forward a few years…we’re sitting in a restaurant and the Escape (The Piña Colada Song) came over the sound system. “You know what this song is about don’t you?” I asked my husband. It turns out I do pay attention to lyrics…sometimes.
“Yeah, the husband and wife put out ads to meet other people and end up meeting each other.” He was completely nonchalant–no biggie.
“THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE MEETING OTHER PEOPLE!” I cried. How could he not be infuriated by this?
“They found each other and rekindled their appreciation for each other. It turned out fine!”
“Hmmph!” I stirred my piña colada* and glared at him for a moment until I calmed down. It was just a song after all.
*I heard somewhere you can embellish when you don’t remember all the details. 😉
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