I've always liked the song, the tune is so sweet. But when it came on the radio today, I actually listened to the lyrics and decided that I just hate this song.
quote:I know its late, I know you're weary I know your plans don't include me
The guy keeps singing to the woman who has already told him, "Enough. Good night." He keeps begging her to forget about everything else and just spend the night with him.
Buddy, "no" means "no". If she were willing to spend the night with you, you wouldn't have to keep on begging and cajoling for all those verses. Why in the world should she forget about tomorrow? Tomorrow, she may well be having regrets, be worrying about having picked up some nasty disease from you or be wondering if she should stop at the pharmacy for some "Plan B".
I want to add more lyrics with the woman's response. She enjoyed their time together, but she DOES need tomorrow. She is interested in a relationship that lasts beyond the night, and if he doesn't care about that, and won't accept her demurral, then he is not the right one for her.
I am getting so old, I can barely stand myself.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:I am getting so old, I can barely stand myself.
I'm not sure how appropriate it is, but when I read this I laughed out loud for a good 20 seconds.
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
Baby, it's cold outside.
That's my favorite begging for nookie song.
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester: The guy keeps singing to the woman who has already told him, "Enough. Good night." He keeps begging her to forget about everything else and just spend the night with him.
Buddy, "no" means "no".
There are worse songs. The horrible "Fire", which was written by Bruce Springsteen, but most memorably performed by the Pointer Sisters:
quote:I'm riding in your car, you turn on the radio. You pullin' me close, I just say no. I say I don't like it, but you know I'm a liar. 'Cause when we kiss, ooh, fire.
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
Lisa: The Elmer Fudd version is the definitive version of that song.
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
Pix, I bow to your superior memory. I can't imagine how I forgot that one.
Posted by xnera (Member # 187) on :
I had a similar reaction to A-ha's "Take On Me" recently. It is one of my absolutely favorite songs from my youth. Loved the tune, loved the video. So I was excited to see it was on [i]Karaoke Revolution Party[i]... until I actually played the song, and went at some of the lyrics:
quote:Take on me (take on me) Take me on (take on me) I'll be gone In a day or two
and
quote: You're shying away I'll be coming for you anyway
I'm very disappointed. I really loved this song. Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
quote:I am getting so old, I can barely stand myself.
That would be my anthem if it had a tune.
Sometimes I write posts and delete them because even I find them tiresome. I figure when my son really hits adolescence I'll just have to have my mouth sewn shut so I can keep from boring myself to death with all the lectures I hated as a kid.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Yeah.. I don't actually "get" those lyrics. What does Take on me mean, anyway?
Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :
It's ok, you can still love songs that have depict immoral actions. I love Rick James and yet ...
quote:When I came home last night You wouldn't make love to me You went fast asleep You wouldn't even talk to me
You say I'm so crazy Coming home intoxicated I say just want to love you, I just wanna love you, baby Guess that's why I'm so elated, come on, girl
Posted by SC Carver (Member # 8173) on :
How about that really awful Meatloaf song, Dashboard light or something like that...basically he's begging for some in the car for the entire song which goes on forever and ever.
Of course there are countless dance, pop, R & B, or Hip Hop songs that leave nothing to the imagination.
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
I love Paradise by the Dashboard Lights. She totally owns him in that song. They used to show the video before showings of Rocky Horror when I was in college.
But it's true, I don't usually focus on the lyrics of songs. I love the song (Don't Fear) The Reaper, despite the lyrics (and despite the swastikas), as well as Blinded by the Light, which I can't even understand.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
The song I've always hated is "More than Words" by ... Extreme? Right?
quote:More than words to show you feel that your love for me is real. Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me, 'cause I'd already know.
What would you say if they took those words away? Then you couldn't make things new, just by saying "I love you."
Loser.
Posted by Bella Bee (Member # 7027) on :
I've always liked 'Every step you take' by The Police despite the lyrics. Icky stalker. Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Most people who hear Splender's "I Think God Can Explain" think it's a sweet song.
It's a stalker song, too.
"But you're the only face I recognize. It's so damn sweet of you to look me in the eyes."
-pH
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
The two that really bug me (that everyone else seems to like) are "Funny Valentine" - honestly, I'd smack the guy - and "From a Distance" which is exactly wrong.
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by Narnia: The song I've always hated is "More than Words" by ... Extreme? Right?
quote:More than words to show you feel that your love for me is real. Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me, 'cause I'd already know.
What would you say if they took those words away? Then you couldn't make things new, just by saying "I love you."
Loser.
That's such a pretty song.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
It is pretty to listen to, but the words are those of just another guy who's begging for some.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by kmbboots: "From a Distance" which is exactly wrong.
Yes! I keep saying that, and no one seems to get it!
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
From a Distance is a whiney anti-war song from the first gulf war.
I don't even know what she's means by "God is watching us from a distance". Does she think that god sees a rosey world because he's not down amongst us? That's really horrible way to view the world.
The tune sounds so inspiring too..
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:Originally posted by Narnia: It is pretty to listen to, but the words are those of just another guy who's begging for some.
I think that's the first time I've ever heard of More Than Words being interpretted that way. I've always read the lyrics as an indictment of the woman in the relationship only paying lip service to love, and not showing it in her actions: non-sexual ones that contribute to a relationship and let someone know you love them.
Even if you want to interpret it physically, why would you automatically conclude he's talking about sex? He could just as easily be missing the little things: a hand slipping into his while they're watching TV on the couch, a kiss goodbye before he leaves for work, a tight hug for no reason in the middle of the day.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:I think that's the first time I've ever heard of More Than Words being interpretted that way.
That's amazing that you've never heard it interpreted that way. I remember it being referred to as the "If you love me you'll do with me" song back when it was still on the radio.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I've always interpreted it the same as Narnia, as a guy trying to talk a girl into sex. I don't know that I could give you a "why," it just seemed to obviously be what it was about.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Pixiest, I feel the same way about "From A Distance." If it's supposed to bring us hope, it really doesn't. "From a distance the world looks just fine and God is watching us from a distance....so basically, he's uninvolved." That's what I get from that song.
Eljay and Porter, I'm glad I'm not the only one. Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
From a Dog's Stance You have to scroll down quite a ways.
Posted by Pinky (Member # 9161) on :
And who cares if the world looks fine from a distance? That's so superficial. Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
I think that Paradise By the Dashboard Lights is a song that details perfectly the teenage hormone drama AND the consequences of succumbing to that desire.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:That's amazing that you've never heard it interpreted that way. I remember it being referred to as the "If you love me you'll do with me" song back when it was still on the radio.
You'll have to forgive me, but I'm only 22 and I was pop music illiterate until I was about 14, so my knowledge about these things is limited at best. When did Extreme put it out, anyway? I'm guessing sometime in the 80's. Edit: 1990, apparently.
quote:I've always interpreted it the same as Narnia, as a guy trying to talk a girl into sex. I don't know that I could give you a "why," it just seemed to obviously be what it was about.
It makes me sad that this is an automatic assumption. What does that say about us as people that we would automatically assume that? What does that say about MEN?
Rhetorical questions. I think I know the answers...and they're what make me sad.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I never interpreted "More than words" that way. I had more or less the same interpretation as erosomniac. But then, I have always tended to be naively trusting. *shrug*
-o-
I despise "From a Distance" also. I absolutely hate it when I sense that an artist is being manipulative.
-o-
"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" is a brilliant song! It is clearly tongue-in-cheek, and so it is a lampoon of the attitude you are describing, not an example of it.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I have two dear friends who lip-synced "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" at their wedding reception, as the first song.
She: Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life!? Will you take me away and will you make me your wife!? I gotta know right now Before we go any further Do you love me!!!? Will you love me forever!!!?
He: Let me sleep on it Baby, baby let me sleep on it Let me sleep on it And I'll give you my answer in the morning.
It was kind of adorable.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Another argument in favor of "More Than Words" as a 'begging for it' song:
quote: Now I've tried to talk to you and make you understand All you have to do is close your eyes And just reach out your hands and touch me Hold me close don't ever let me go
I don't think I've ever had a conversation about this song before, but that's always the way I've interpreted it. Pretty melody, irritating message.
Plus, talk about nails on chalkboard, grammatically speaking:
quote: Saying I love you Is not the words I want to hear from you
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:Originally posted by Uprooted: Another argument in favor of "More Than Words" as a 'begging for it' song:
quote: Now I've tried to talk to you and make you understand All you have to do is close your eyes And just reach out your hands and touch me Hold me close don't ever let me go
I don't think I've ever had a conversation about this song before, but that's always the way I've interpreted it. Pretty melody, irritating message.
Again, why read this as sex? Nothing about it says "Dude. This is sex." It's a yearning for physical closeness. He could just as easily be describing a HUG.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
quote:Originally posted by Uprooted: Another argument in favor of "More Than Words" as a 'begging for it' song:
quote: Now I've tried to talk to you and make you understand All you have to do is close your eyes And just reach out your hands and touch me Hold me close don't ever let me go
He wants a hug?
quote:Originally posted by Uprooted: Plus, talk about nails on chalkboard, grammatically speaking:
quote: Saying I love you Is not the words I want to hear from you
Yes, that part has always irritated me. Far more then any perceived message.
(If you want to talk about annoying interpretations, how about John Mayer's song "Daughters"?)
EDIT to fix formatting and to note that erosomniac beat me to it.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I always liked
"You say it best . . . when you say nothing at all."
*grin*
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I first heard More Than Words when it came out, and I was still swooning from reading Anne of the Island. Gilbert asks Anne to marry him, and she's so overcome with love and emotion that she can't say anything, she just looks at him. He understands - she doesn't have to say anything. He can read it in her face.
Looking at the lyrics more closely, I don't think that's what the song is saying, but it was an interpretation that worked for me. Mostly because the concept of someone asking for sex as proof of love was unimaginable.
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
I think I'll ignore this discussion of More Than Words in this thread and continue with my delusion that the man is simply looking for the little things in life more than lip-service "I love you" (Like I used to get from my ex-boyfriend)
The song is pretty and I don't want further examination of the lyrics to ruin that for me.
Pix
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
I'm with Pix. Maybe they intended it to mean sex, but that's not at all the way I hear it. I think erosomniac said it best:
quote:Even if you want to interpret it physically, why would you automatically conclude he's talking about sex? He could just as easily be missing the little things: a hand slipping into his while they're watching TV on the couch, a kiss goodbye before he leaves for work, a tight hug for no reason in the middle of the day.
Posted by SC Carver (Member # 8173) on :
Bump, I was flipping channels last night and was reminded of this thread.
Prince's 1999 video was on and I was laughing at the outfits when I heard the lyric
"There's a lion in my pocket and baby he's ready to roar."
I always liked this song when i was a kid, I guess my 6 year old brain didn't get it. I’m not offended now by the content, just at how painfully bad the lyrics are.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
quote:Baby, it's cold outside.
That's my favorite begging for nookie song.
My first boyfriend used to sing that song to me all the time..
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
at some of the lyrics:![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I'm very disappointed. I really loved this song. ![[Angst]](graemlins/angst.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)