My sis and I took a road trip this past weekend down my favorite patch of asphalt–95 South. And thanks to her ipod, we also took a walk down memory lane. As I am notorious for being a straight face killa on some song lyrics, we had some interesting discussions about the intended meaning of some of the songs. These are some of our random thoughts about a few titles. Have fun!
1. Understanding by Xscape–This is the one song that I actually knew ALL the lyrics to. I sat down one day and memorized them with the song on repeat. But tell me, what did ol’ girl need understanding about? I thought it was clear that dude wasn’t listening good and she needed him to clean his ears and comprehend–though I have to admit I don’t know about what. Sissy said the song just didn’t make any sense. Whatever. Still one of the best songs to come from Georgia clay—back before Lil’ John an nem disgraced the dirty to make us look like a bunch of ignorant country bastids.
2. Is My Living In Vain? by Xscape again originallyl by the Clark Sisters–Anybody ever feel that way? And what do you do when you do? I like the answer in the song. NOOO!!! OF COURSE NOT!!! IT’S NOT ALL IN VAAAIIIIINNN!! Cause up the road….(don’t know about this part too much) is eternal gain. I actually prefer a little gain in the here and now, but that’s just me. The sweet by and by ain’t all that attractive when I see a little heaven right here on earth. I’m just sayin’, I like the idea of NOOO!!! my living is not in vain. In fact, that takes me to a favorite gospel song. “If I can help somebody as I travel along, if I can heal somebody just with a word or song, if I can show somebody that he’s traveling wrong, then my living shall not be in vain.” Watch for faulty lyrics but you get the idea.
3. Everything by SWV– Why were all of their songs always about somebody else’s man? Couldn’t get a man of their own? AND I have to admit that it took me a few years to figure out where downtown was in my tender youth. LOL Thank God for innocence that I kept longer than most folks keep wedding vows.
4. For You I Will by Monica– I love this song from the Bugs Bunny movie!! Except I’m not too sure about all the lyrics. I’m just not too big on dying for anyone or anything. I’m choosing life, yo (a la Lauryn). And I don’t mind crossing the ocean, as long as it’s in a cruise ship because I certainly can’t swim. I would gladly give my man the moon as long as it comes with a Coach bag big enough to fit itself in. And I’m all into being heroic and strong. If you ever see me, I have a huge “S” burned in my chest. Leap tall buildings in a single bound and all. love.the.song.
5. As We Lay by Shirley Murdoch- Mmmm, mmm, mm. A friend and I recently both had to halt our dispersion from the car, in the freezing cold, to sit and listen to this song as we both went down separate memory lanes. My, my, my. We’ve come a long way baby. That song let’s me know I’ve sho’ly been bawn agin.
6. Sittin in My Room by Brandy–I didn’t get it then and I don’t get it now. Never been too much about sittin up in my room pining away for no boy. Next.
7. Spend My Life With You by E.B. and Tamia–I like it. I like it. I like it. I’m a big E.B. fan (everyone has issues). If I could just see you every morning when I open my eyes….doesn’t get much better than that. A song about marriage and not just SEX!!! How innovative?! What a novel idea!
8. Stranger in My House–Ok. Why did I not get that the stranger was her because she had changed? I guess I just get so into the checklist that she takes him down, you know–first kiss, where her spot is–I lost track of all the stranger stuff. Anyway. I enjoyed it for years without really caring about the specifics of the lyrics. Why start now? I’m a lyrics butcher when I just like the sound.
9. Water by Ms. Hill on the Unplugged- Don’t know what the h*** she’s talkin about for most of the two cd’s, but I love it. She does it, I love it. Just the voice man. And I love this song. Don’t know why, but I do.
10. Janet songs–For some reason, I made Sissy skip all the JJ songs in the pod. Just wasn’t feelin’ her even though I used to enjoy such hits as “Anytime, Anyplace.” That whole cd was on repeat for a solid year, and it got me through Calculus II fo sho–right along with dude from the Shirley M. flashback.
11. Saved the Best for Last by Miss America (V.W.) (She’ll always be my Miss America)- Always loved the song but never paid attn to the lyrics until the other day. I got all caught up on the sun going around the moon and the snow coming down in June, but it really is a beautiful song. “Just when I thought our chance had passed, you go and save the best for last……yeah, yeah.”
This was all really random and a little fun. Maybe I’ll go down her fellas list another time. I guess I will so I can tell you about Sisqo and “Incomplete.”
Power to the pod (or the little gadget as I call it).
Hope you followed the chaotic thoughts.
NLC
I can see why I acted a fool over some of the knuckle head dudes I was trying to be with who were not trying to really be with me. I was sittin’ in my room because my mother made me- those were during the days, one got sent to the room because momma was tired of seeing your face- before internet, computers in the room, and playstation- Atari yes, but it was not allowed in the room. So I listened to crap and got crap and crapped on. Put stupid words with a great melody and guess what….black folks like books don’t read. Go figure. Still can apprepriate the songs for the memories- by them I am reminded not to take myself so seriously. Thank God I am not where I use to be!
Comment by Sunshine — February 22, 2006 @ 1:31 p