Strange Perspective

[kerravonsen]

Why is it that, listening to "classic" love songs, I get the feeling that the singer is a stalker rather than someone in love?

One floor below me
You don't even know me
I love you
Oh my darlin'
Knock three times on the ceiling if you want me
Twice on the pipe means the answer is no

Think about it.

Comments

[raine]

Maybe because some of them are? The Police's "Every Breath You Take" is a stalker song -- yet it's been perceived as one of the great love songs.

[cainangrey.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. Ever listen to the song I Will Possess YOur Heart by Death Cab for Cutie?
http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-will-possess-your-heart-lyrics-death-cab-for-cutie.html

[kerravonsen]

(shudder) Yes, I can see that's another example, in some ways even worse, because the girl in question already turned him down.

[jhall1.livejournal.com]

Then there's the song that Sting wrote for the Police, "I'll be Watching You". The difference being that I'm sure that Sting was aware that he was writing about a stalker - though most listeners seem blithely oblivious to it. With the other songs, one has the feeling that the lyricist didn't realise that they were a bit off.

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

I hear you... there are some creepy songs out there.

If I hear the song 'Sometimes When We Touch' on the radio, I will change the station, because it has the lyrics:

"Sometimes I'd like to break you, and drive you to your knees"

Eww, eww.

[dreamflower]

Then there are the lyrics from the theme to "Last of the Mohicans".

No matter where you go
I will find you
If it takes a long long time
No matter where you go
I will find you
If it takes a thousand years


In the context of the movie, not so bad, but by itself as a song? Yeah, definitely stalkerish.

It's nothing new. "I'll be Around" was written in 1942

Just call me at home, I'll be there
I'll never leave you alone, I'll be there
Just call out your name you know I know you know
I'll be around


I think sometimes lyricists confuse obsession with true love...

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

Lionel Ritchie's "Hello"
http://www.lyrics007.com/Lionel%20Richie%20Lyrics/Hello%20Lyrics.html
Is another good candidate.