Certain songs arrive later in life than we would like have liked, long after the fact and the situations where they might have helped with some resonant emotional advice, or some carved out nook of musical catharsis or healing.
See ‘Madness‘.
See ‘Bad Guy‘.
See ‘The Lake‘.
See ‘How Bad Do You Want Me?‘
See ‘All Too Well‘.
See ‘Breathe Me‘.
See ‘The Lake‘ again.
See ‘The Night‘.
See ‘Fall In Love With Me‘.
And now this beautiful gem, ‘You’re Here That’s The Thing’ – which I really needed several decades ago, when my heart would stir at the turn of every cute guy come every autumn…
… Catch the rain
Even on a sunny day
I swear I’m not excusing, I’ll cross my heart to prove it
But she seems tired ’cause we’ve been through this
These days part of me years for that stomach of butterflies again, that state of fevered bliss and catastrophe, when you’re not sure if you want to cry or vomit or laugh; the rollercoaster of emotional mayhem was a ride I always took, even if there was a line. Inhabiting those spaces from a safe vantage point is an interesting exercise in regaining one’s idea of youth.
… And I know you said that we’re not a thing
But you’re here, that’s the thing
And I’m not trying to give you a ring
Well, maybe on the phone if you let it sing
You’re overcomplicating everything
… When the lights go down, don’t say I didn’t warn ya
I don’t think that’s legal in the state of California
This song feels more innocent and lovely than the questionable shit I pulled in those heady days. Thinking back to my younger and more foolish moments (though some would argue less and have a fair point) I wonder if hearing this would have calmed or quelled my racing heart. In all likelihood, it would have only added fuel to the desire fire, giving my over-stimulated brain some scrap of hope that should have never been there in the first place.
… I’ve got you wrapped around my finger like a piece of ribbon
You just won’t admit it that you’re smitten
Hold on a minute, please, won’t you listen?
‘Cause I’m not sure… if you’re into me like I’m into you
… I said a lot of stupid things in the winter
Once the ice got thinner
But somehow, we managed through the fall
So I guess it’s not that bad at all
Like the little white daisies pictured here – not daisies at all but asters, and I’m not even sure of the difference and distinction – I’m keeping life as light as possible. Like this song – it could be saying a lot, it could be saying everything – or it could just be something to fill the background of your Instagram reel with a vibe and an atmosphere – no more, and possibly even less.
… That we’re not a thing
But you’re here, that’s the thing
And I’m not trying to give you a ring
Well, maybe on the phone if you let it sing
You’re overcomplicating everything
… When the lights go down, don’t say I didn’t warn ya
I don’t think that’s legal in the state of California
Never let it be said that there is an issue I cannot overcomplicate, overthink, overanalyze, or over-anything – my head knows no rest, my brain knows no way to stop. Meditation has helped, as has therapy, and great strides have indeed been made, but I’m just at the start of those journeys, even if it’s been years. The great undoing has only just begun.
… I’m going away
Did I forget to mention how long I’d stay?
Is that a question for another day?
But while we’re away
… And I know you said that we’re not a thing
But you’re here, that’s the thing
And I’m not trying to give you a ring
Well, maybe on the phone if you let it sing
You’re overcomplicating everything
