Emotional Rollercoaster: When a Song Isn't Just a Song

You know how you can like a song and get it on an intellectual level, but you can't really relate to it? The song is not an Aha! moment, at least not on the first listen. For example, I had a love/hate relationship with Miguel's "Quickie." I've never had a quickie, can't relate to the concept, but whenever I heard it, I sang along quite loudly. However, I never did that around anybody's kids, because considering the lyrics, that would be kinda trifling.

Well, Vivian Green's 2002 diddy,"Emotional Rollercoaster," is now one of those Aha! moment songs for me. It's a beautifully crafted song that tells an all too familiar story. Like other songs, I liked it, but it didn't really speak to my experiences....until today. I listened to the song on a whim for the first time since the Great Regret, and I finally GOT IT. Funny how that happens when you finally get off your own emotional rollercoaster. If you're not familiar, peep the lyrics:

 Last night I cried, tossed and turned
Woke up with dry eyes
My mind was racing, feet were pacing
Lord, help me please, tell me what I have gotten into

Ran my three miles to clear my mind
It always helps me out
It's my therapy when I'm losin' it
Which is usually, hey

I'm on an emotional rollercoaster
Lovin' you ain't nothin' healthy
Lovin' you was never good for me (For me)
But I can't get off

This emotional rollercoaster
Lovin' you ain't nothin' healthy
Lovin' you was never good for me (For me, oh)
But I can't get off

Yesterday I told myself
I was gonna be okay
Gonna start a new day, truly happy
I was gonna take control of me

But eventually reality hit me
Mentally, physically, emotionally
And I opened my eyes and realized
That I was still bein' taken for a constant ride on
your

I'm on an emotional rollercoaster (Ooh, baby)
Lovin' you ain't nothin' healthy (For real, it's never
healthy for me)
Lovin' you was never good for me (Oh, but I can't get)
But I can't get off (Ooh...ooh...baby...)

Emotional rollercoaster (You got me goin' up and down)
Lovin' you ain't nothin' healthy (Oh)
Lovin' you was never good for me (Never good for me,
ah)
But I can't get off

So tired of you makin' love to me
Then disappearing so suddenly
Up and down it goes
And I'm so tired of you pacifyin' me
With promises you know that you'll never keep
Round and round it goes, I am on a

I'm on an emotional rollercoaster (Oh)
Lovin' you ain't nothin' healthy (Ooh, ain't nothin'
healthy ?bout it, baby)
Lovin' you was never good for me (Nothin' healthy
'bout it, baby)
But I can't get off (Oh, oh)

Emotional rollercoaster
Lovin' you ain't nothin' healthy
Lovin' you was never good for me
But I can't get off

What about you? Any new Aha! moments from your favorite songs?

While you're thinking about that, stay random and stay away from rollercoasters, at least the emotional kind.

--Jay