This space is normally reserved for lyrical analysis but, with this newest submission, I'm so confused by the verses I don't know where to start. The song in question is Cutting Crew's well-known one-hit wonder, (I Just) Died In Your Arms, which spent two weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts back in the spring of '87. And, of course, we're all familiar with the SNL skit that featured Will Ferrell and Horatio Sanz repeatedly singing the chorus as the band at a wedding. ("Must have been something you saaaaaaaaiiiiiidddddd.....")
Here's the thing though...that chorus is the only part anyone ever really remembers and/or sings when they think about that song. Nobody, to my knowledge, has ever taken a good long look at the verses. Well, I just did. And I've got no f'n clue what's going on here...
1st Verse
I keep looking for something I can't get
Broken hearts lie all around me
And I don't see an easy way to get out of this
Her diary it sits on the bedside table
The curtains are closed, the cats in the cradle
Who would've thought that a boy like me could come to this
Tip of the cap to anyone who can give me a reasonable explanation of "the cats in the cradle" part. I mean, I know the origin of the phrase. I just want to know what in the world is has to do with anything that's happening here other than the fact that it kind of ryhmes with "table."
2nd Verse
Is there any just cause for feeling like this?
On the surface I'm a name on a list
I try to be discreet, but then blow it again
I've lost and found, it's my final mistake
She's loving by proxy, no give and all take
'cos I've been thrilled to fantasy one too many times
That whole verse makes no sense to me. On the surface you're a name on a list? Lost and found? Loving by proxy? Someone needs to explain this to me.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I'm just giddy that you brought up the SNL skit. So exciting.
I think the "And I......" over a silent background is great....I think the Stamford office should attempt that as their follow up to Closer To Fine.
Tuna!
Brilliant brilliant blog. "10 Cent Freeze Pops" needs more pub, this is one of the best blogs I have found...
(Ok, I'll get off your jock now)
I have no explanation, other than, the bands name was Cutting Crew.
If the band name makes no sense, why would any of the forgettable lyrics in a regrettable song?
Cutting Crew? What the hell is a Cutting Crew?
All I know is that I have always stated that this song should have been Brutus "the Barber" Beefcake's intro music. It was a perfect fit. Cutting Crew? "Died in your arms tonight" -- hello? Sleeper Hold?
damm you Vince McMahon... damn you all to hell...
"that chorus is the only part anyone ever really remembers and/or sings when they think about that song."
I regularly think of the other parts of this song. In fact, my sister used to insist the dude was talking about Atari in this song. I was like, "Where? What part?" And she's like, "Atari sits by the bedside table..."
It would actually fit perfectly with the rest of the incongruity you describe. So I listened, and golldang it she was right. Then ol' Al Gore invented the internet, and I looked the fucker up and it was actually "Her diary it." What? I like Atari better. It's rather play Atari than Herdiaryit.
Post a Comment