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.