Let me take you back to summer 2017. That was a wild time for me and what I consider a turning point in my life. Or maybe it was just my equivalent of Britney shaving her head.
It was right before my senior year of college. I was saving up for an apartment, working one paid job and one internship and trying to date. I was desperate to get over someone and hoping to find my “someone” at the same time, which is a bad mixture.
You might say I was lovesick.
Day 12: Every Time I’m Ready to Hug – Ra Ra Riot
This is a jam for people who feel like they are going to be single for the rest of their lives (hearkening back to the Decemberists song from a few days ago.) Being “lovesick” is the worst best feeling ever. It’s a feeling that’s full of possibility but also makes you incredibly miserable. Ra Ra Riot equates it to a bomb.
Held out a plastic rope
Needed to tie a fuse
Held out a plastic rope
Tied to a bite ring
The protagonist is waiting for someone to throw him a line, so to speak. He’s ready to open his arms up to love, but it doesn’t seem to be working.
Well I’m lovesick baby
I’m lovestruck
Ready to construct
Ready to love
I was sure hoping you were fooling
This guy is so desperate, he’s ready to create a construct of this person in his mind, which none of us have ever done before, probably. Except we all totally have. The thing is, sometimes when we put ourselves out there, we don’t get what we want in return. But it’s also not good to be desperate when it comes to love. It’s an easy trap to fall into, especially when you’re so ready to hug.
Day 13: Turning Out – AJR
“Turning Out” is similar to “Every Time I’m Ready to Hug” in that the protagonist feels like he’s missing something in his new relationship. It’s a common thing to feel when you’re young, especially when you see how perfectly things turn out on rom-coms.
Am I ready for love?
Or maybe just a best friend
Should there be a difference?
Do you have instructions?
Maybe I’m stuck on what I see on TV
I grew up on Disney
But this don’t feel like Disney
It starts out with a really simple, playful melody. Our hero is in love, but didn’t realize there would be so many pitfalls – that love would be hard. Then he realizes he’s still a work in progress. The music in the chorus intensifies.
You say I turned out fine
I think I’m still turning out
It takes time for us to “turn out.” Arguably, we are constantly in the process of “turning out,” and despite what we might think, love is rarely like the movies. Let’s be honest – if it were, life would be boring and empty. The trick is to stick around and see things through.
I’m a little kid, and so are you
Don’t you go and grow up before I do
I’m a little kid with so much doubt
Do you wanna be there to see how I turn out?
Audrey D. DeBoer 