quietlife.net

love the one you happen be standing next to

20 Jun 2007

Is it just me or do a lot of people misunderstand the meaning of the expression (song) “love the one you’re with”. They seem to interpret “with” as “dating” or “married to” – making the statement a commandment of fidelity. (Example.)

That’s not what the song was about, dudes:

If your guy can’t come to you
And you don’t remember who you’re talking to
…
And if you cant be with the one you love
Love the one you’re with
…
Don’t sit cryin’ for good times you had
There’s a girl right next to you
And she’s waiting for something to do

It’s like totally about free love, man. Or more accurately, it’s some ham-fisted lyrical mumbojumbo (“there’s a rose in a fisted glove, and the eagle flies with the dove “ – uh, what?) mixed with some good ol’ fashioned sexual/romantic nihilism. Now that’s something I can really get behind.

Comments

Kat Coble — June 20, 2007 at 18:39 · reply

I always understood it to be about free love. Then again, I also understood it was by Steven Stills…which pretty much guarantees that it would either be about Judy Collins or about fucking around on Judy Collins.

Nick Hess — June 20, 2007 at 18:44 · reply

Back in college, a friend of mine told me that that song was his basic romantic motto.

I replied incredulously, “You’re taking romantic advice… from a rock musician?”

“Well… yeah, good point.”

Lesley — June 20, 2007 at 19:05 · reply

It was certainly the unofficial motto of a lot of the people at Bonnaroo this weekend. In the way it was intended. I doubt fidelity was on the mind of many people.

emma — June 20, 2007 at 21:13 · reply

Um. I had no idea anybody could possibly interpret that song has having diddly-squat to do with fidelity. It’s totally “you’re horny, but your important person isn’t here right now? No problem, someone else is!”

Kate O' — June 20, 2007 at 21:38 · reply

Oh, how I hate that glove/dove/love rhyme. Makes me want to claw my inner ears to shreds.

aaron — June 21, 2007 at 07:19 · reply

nihilism, eh? That must be exhausting… -JL

Mack — June 21, 2007 at 12:20 · reply

I happen to like those lyrics. Anyway, I always considered the song to be about loving those around you even if you don’t know them. I thought the reference of the glove/dove/love thing was that what might look threatening isn’t always so, and that even those of opposing viewpoints/lifestyles/habits could find common ground in love.

But I did my share of acid back then.

Ginger — June 22, 2007 at 01:24 · reply

lol..I never, ever took it as a song about peace and love, so I’m really impressed with Mack’s analysis. It’s about free love, man…sex…pure & simple. :)

allessior — October 05, 2014 at 02:53 · reply

It means, if you or your wife are away from one another, then love yourself and have a good time. That neans having a good time with those around you. If one thing leads to another, it’s just part ofthe equation. Nobody is hurt because nobody knows about it other than you.

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