This song makes me cry when I hear it. It reminds me of when I was a kid, and couldn't understand it. And now that I'm older and have lived this song, it resonates so much with me.
There's so much in this song that it's hard to break down. But here's how I see it.
"If you could read my mind, love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
'Bout a ghost from a wishing well
In a castle dark, or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet, you know that ghost is me
And I will never be set free
As long as I'm a ghost that you can't see."
This verse describes what is going on in the man’s mind, feeling trapped and invisible, not sure how to mend the relationship or make his feelings known. The figurative chains on his feet keep him from both expressing his feelings and from leaving … he feels powerless. He wishes she could read his mind -- hence the song title -- because that would be the only way for her to really see how he feels.
The second verse,
"If I could read your mind, love, what a tale your thoughts could tell
Just like a paperback novel, the kind the drugstores sell
When you reach the part where the heartaches come
The hero would be me, but heroes often fail
And you won't read that book again because the ending's just too hard to take."
describes the woman's mind, like a romance novel or a fairy tale — dreaming of the knight in shining armor she hopes for her love to be. He realizes that she wanted for him to be the hero, the knight in shining armor … but he failed. And now she won’t come back to him because it is too painful and she already knows how it will turn out.
"I'd walk away like a movie star who gets burned in a three way script,
Enter number two
A movie queen to play the scene
Of bringing all the good things out in me
But for now, love, let's be real
I never thought I could act this way
And I've got to say that I just don't get it
I don't know where we went wrong but the feeling's gone
And I just can't get it back."
Here, he describes the end of the paperback novel and what was simultaneously occurring in his mind. His pride (as the movie star) makes him want to walk away rather than compromise or communicate. He thinks that there's some other woman out there who will bring out all the good things in him, and he won't have to work on the relationship or deal with arguments. In "escaping" from the relationship and the chains upon his feet, he is expecting to find the perfect relationship to take its place, but realizes this is unrealistic and can’t figure out why he thinks this way.
The last verse,
"If you could read my mind, love, what a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie, 'bout a ghost from a wishing well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong with chains upon my feet
But stories always end
And if you read between the lines, you'll know that I'm just trying to understand
The feelings that you lack
I never thought I could feel this way and I've got to say that I just don't get it
I don't know where we went wrong but the feeling's gone and I just can't get it back."
Relationships, like stories, come to an end. He uses an interesting tactic to show the abrupt end — unlike the first verse where he finishes the thought, he interrupts the verse to say “but stories always end.” He can’t understand how she doesn’t care anymore, in the powerful line, " And if you read between the lines, you'll know that I'm just trying to understand the feelings that you lack."
This is oh so representative of the lack of clear communication in so many relationships. We sit there, feeling so many things that we just can't express. And we wish that the other person could just read our mind and understand us. But our pride gets in the way. And we are silent. Then those feelings gradually fade and we can't understand where they went or how our relationship went wrong.
I respect your enthusiasm for this great work of art and I think we agree on the generalities of the song. Two people are in a relationship. They love and respect each other. One person is happy with the terms of the relationship, but the other (the narrator) is unhappy with the terms of the relationship. The narrator must end the relationship to put an end to the emotional distress he is experiencing. He ends this relationship with a heavy heart……this song has sorrow in the words and voice like almost no other……but he ends the relationship without any regrets………it is something he knows that he must do.
But I do disagree with some of your more specific conclusions.
First some facts. This song is about GL’s breakup from his first wife (which eventually led to divorce). When GL wrote this song, he was young (31 years old). He had been married for 6 years. He had two very young children (5 & 3 years old) that he cared for very much. He was far from wealthy at the time (If You Could Read My Mind would change that…….that was his first major hit), and I would dare say not in the best shape financially.
To understand the meaning of this song, you have to look at it from this context. Given the facts, what is so firmly driving GL to end this relationship has to be a BIG deal. This is not small stuff. This conflict is not just between two adults; the welfare of 2 young children is at stake.
Now, just to cite a few examples of why you think he is leaving (and I paraphrase):
-He is not sure how to mend the relationship or make his feelings known
-He would rather leave than compromise or communicate.
-He thinks that there's some other woman out there who will bring out all the good things in him
>
He won't have to work on the relationship or deal with arguments.
I’ll say this…..I am the father of two children (now teenagers)……..and if I had left my kids at that young of an age for the reasons stated above, the last thing I would have done was write a song about it. I would have been far too ashamed. You mentioned GL’s pride was also a factor…….how on earth could GL (or anyone) be proud of that? Not exactly the behavior of a Movie Star, don't you think?
So I think your specific conclusions are wrong. Again, this was a bold, thoughtful, and excruciating decision. I think GL is taking action because of something that is concrete, specific, and well understood. He leaves because he knows that there is no chance that it can be resolved. And he knows that if he chooses to stay, it will do more harm than good to his family.
Sexual incompatibility is a common reason for marital strife and break up (poke around the internet and see for your self). Simply put, one person’s sex drive is substantially higher than the sex drive of the partner that they committed to. When the drives become too far apart…….one person’s minimal needs exceeds the others maximum tolerance……..the options for compromise are severely limited and usually unacceptable to either party. Often these relationships start out with both having high/compatible sex drives (the honeymoon period), but then one of the parties loses interest…..which causes the other party to fall into depression and emotional distress. Again, poke around on the internet. Plenty of information and examples. Very common.
My hypothesis is that this song is about this unfortunate, yet common circumstance. When you test this hypothesis against the lyrics, it easily passes the test.
If You Could Read My Mind…….I agree that this title infers that communication is difficult……and you would be hard pressed to find a topic more difficult to discuss than sexual incompatibility.
Chains around my feet……..as in the old saying ball and chain……….chain is a common metaphor for the promise that you will have sex only with your spouse. And when the one you made vows to loses interest, keeping those vows is torture.
Burned in a 3 way script…….the 3 way script is himself, what his wife was (the Movie Queen) early in the marriage and what his wife has become years later (one much less interested in sex). He is doing the honorable thing by being up front and walking away (many men in this situation lie and cheat).
Regarding the enter #2 line…….my interpretation is that in order to save the relationship, she proposes to be the Movie Queen again……..but he knows this would just be an act……he is not interested in obligation sex……….it is time to get real and be true to ourselves.
The feelings that you lack……..this one is obvious and I think the biggest clue…….feelings is a euphemism for sexual desire.
One more final note……when GL sings the song today, he uses the line:
The feelings that WE lack
He does this because he is honoring a recent request by his children from the first marriage. They know exactly what he is talking about………the line feelings that you lack is too revealing………it is easy to understand why they are very uncomfortable with that….being constantly reminded that mom could not put out for dad………they need relief; too painful.
Anyway, that is my take. I hope it was constructive and helpful.
I think you nailed it! What an incredible song and so honest and vulnerable... not to say the clever lyrics... Title: If you could read my mind..... ;;;;;then that ending line, And if you read BETWEEN the lines ,you'll know that I'm just trying to understand the feelings that you lack...
I think you nailed it! What an incredible song and so honest and vulnerable... not to say the clever lyrics... Title: If you could read my mind..... ;;;;;then that ending line, And if you read BETWEEN the lines ,you'll know that I'm just trying to understand the feelings that you lack...
@hopeandunderstanding I think you're right on the money. When you hear it as a kid and a teenager you can feel the hurt but through life experience you really get it. Well done.
@hopeandunderstanding I think you're right on the money. When you hear it as a kid and a teenager you can feel the hurt but through life experience you really get it. Well done.
This song makes me cry when I hear it. It reminds me of when I was a kid, and couldn't understand it. And now that I'm older and have lived this song, it resonates so much with me.
There's so much in this song that it's hard to break down. But here's how I see it.
"If you could read my mind, love What a tale my thoughts could tell Just like an old time movie 'Bout a ghost from a wishing well In a castle dark, or a fortress strong With chains upon my feet, you know that ghost is me And I will never be set free As long as I'm a ghost that you can't see."
This verse describes what is going on in the man’s mind, feeling trapped and invisible, not sure how to mend the relationship or make his feelings known. The figurative chains on his feet keep him from both expressing his feelings and from leaving … he feels powerless. He wishes she could read his mind -- hence the song title -- because that would be the only way for her to really see how he feels.
The second verse, "If I could read your mind, love, what a tale your thoughts could tell Just like a paperback novel, the kind the drugstores sell When you reach the part where the heartaches come The hero would be me, but heroes often fail And you won't read that book again because the ending's just too hard to take."
describes the woman's mind, like a romance novel or a fairy tale — dreaming of the knight in shining armor she hopes for her love to be. He realizes that she wanted for him to be the hero, the knight in shining armor … but he failed. And now she won’t come back to him because it is too painful and she already knows how it will turn out.
"I'd walk away like a movie star who gets burned in a three way script, Enter number two A movie queen to play the scene Of bringing all the good things out in me But for now, love, let's be real I never thought I could act this way And I've got to say that I just don't get it I don't know where we went wrong but the feeling's gone And I just can't get it back."
Here, he describes the end of the paperback novel and what was simultaneously occurring in his mind. His pride (as the movie star) makes him want to walk away rather than compromise or communicate. He thinks that there's some other woman out there who will bring out all the good things in him, and he won't have to work on the relationship or deal with arguments. In "escaping" from the relationship and the chains upon his feet, he is expecting to find the perfect relationship to take its place, but realizes this is unrealistic and can’t figure out why he thinks this way.
The last verse,
"If you could read my mind, love, what a tale my thoughts could tell Just like an old time movie, 'bout a ghost from a wishing well In a castle dark or a fortress strong with chains upon my feet But stories always end And if you read between the lines, you'll know that I'm just trying to understand The feelings that you lack I never thought I could feel this way and I've got to say that I just don't get it I don't know where we went wrong but the feeling's gone and I just can't get it back."
Relationships, like stories, come to an end. He uses an interesting tactic to show the abrupt end — unlike the first verse where he finishes the thought, he interrupts the verse to say “but stories always end.” He can’t understand how she doesn’t care anymore, in the powerful line, " And if you read between the lines, you'll know that I'm just trying to understand the feelings that you lack."
This is oh so representative of the lack of clear communication in so many relationships. We sit there, feeling so many things that we just can't express. And we wish that the other person could just read our mind and understand us. But our pride gets in the way. And we are silent. Then those feelings gradually fade and we can't understand where they went or how our relationship went wrong.
Dear Hope and Understanding
Dear Hope and Understanding
I respect your enthusiasm for this great work of art and I think we agree on the generalities of the song. Two people are in a relationship. They love and respect each other. One person is happy with the terms of the relationship, but the other (the narrator) is unhappy with the terms of the relationship. The narrator must end the relationship to put an end to the emotional distress he is experiencing. He ends this relationship with a heavy heart……this song has sorrow in the words and voice like almost no other……but he ends the relationship without any regrets………it is something he knows that he must do.
But I do disagree with some of your more specific conclusions.
First some facts. This song is about GL’s breakup from his first wife (which eventually led to divorce). When GL wrote this song, he was young (31 years old). He had been married for 6 years. He had two very young children (5 & 3 years old) that he cared for very much. He was far from wealthy at the time (If You Could Read My Mind would change that…….that was his first major hit), and I would dare say not in the best shape financially.
To understand the meaning of this song, you have to look at it from this context. Given the facts, what is so firmly driving GL to end this relationship has to be a BIG deal. This is not small stuff. This conflict is not just between two adults; the welfare of 2 young children is at stake.
Now, just to cite a few examples of why you think he is leaving (and I paraphrase):
-He is not sure how to mend the relationship or make his feelings known -He would rather leave than compromise or communicate. -He thinks that there's some other woman out there who will bring out all the good things in him
>
I’ll say this…..I am the father of two children (now teenagers)……..and if I had left my kids at that young of an age for the reasons stated above, the last thing I would have done was write a song about it. I would have been far too ashamed. You mentioned GL’s pride was also a factor…….how on earth could GL (or anyone) be proud of that? Not exactly the behavior of a Movie Star, don't you think?
So I think your specific conclusions are wrong. Again, this was a bold, thoughtful, and excruciating decision. I think GL is taking action because of something that is concrete, specific, and well understood. He leaves because he knows that there is no chance that it can be resolved. And he knows that if he chooses to stay, it will do more harm than good to his family.
Sexual incompatibility is a common reason for marital strife and break up (poke around the internet and see for your self). Simply put, one person’s sex drive is substantially higher than the sex drive of the partner that they committed to. When the drives become too far apart…….one person’s minimal needs exceeds the others maximum tolerance……..the options for compromise are severely limited and usually unacceptable to either party. Often these relationships start out with both having high/compatible sex drives (the honeymoon period), but then one of the parties loses interest…..which causes the other party to fall into depression and emotional distress. Again, poke around on the internet. Plenty of information and examples. Very common.
My hypothesis is that this song is about this unfortunate, yet common circumstance. When you test this hypothesis against the lyrics, it easily passes the test.
If You Could Read My Mind…….I agree that this title infers that communication is difficult……and you would be hard pressed to find a topic more difficult to discuss than sexual incompatibility.
Chains around my feet……..as in the old saying ball and chain……….chain is a common metaphor for the promise that you will have sex only with your spouse. And when the one you made vows to loses interest, keeping those vows is torture.
Burned in a 3 way script…….the 3 way script is himself, what his wife was (the Movie Queen) early in the marriage and what his wife has become years later (one much less interested in sex). He is doing the honorable thing by being up front and walking away (many men in this situation lie and cheat).
Regarding the enter #2 line…….my interpretation is that in order to save the relationship, she proposes to be the Movie Queen again……..but he knows this would just be an act……he is not interested in obligation sex……….it is time to get real and be true to ourselves.
The feelings that you lack……..this one is obvious and I think the biggest clue…….feelings is a euphemism for sexual desire.
One more final note……when GL sings the song today, he uses the line:
The feelings that WE lack
He does this because he is honoring a recent request by his children from the first marriage. They know exactly what he is talking about………the line feelings that you lack is too revealing………it is easy to understand why they are very uncomfortable with that….being constantly reminded that mom could not put out for dad………they need relief; too painful.
Anyway, that is my take. I hope it was constructive and helpful.
I think you nailed it! What an incredible song and so honest and vulnerable... not to say the clever lyrics... Title: If you could read my mind..... ;;;;;then that ending line, And if you read BETWEEN the lines ,you'll know that I'm just trying to understand the feelings that you lack...
I think you nailed it! What an incredible song and so honest and vulnerable... not to say the clever lyrics... Title: If you could read my mind..... ;;;;;then that ending line, And if you read BETWEEN the lines ,you'll know that I'm just trying to understand the feelings that you lack...
@hopeandunderstanding I think you're right on the money. When you hear it as a kid and a teenager you can feel the hurt but through life experience you really get it. Well done.
@hopeandunderstanding I think you're right on the money. When you hear it as a kid and a teenager you can feel the hurt but through life experience you really get it. Well done.
@hopeandunderstanding Your analysis is almost as beautiful as the song
@hopeandunderstanding Your analysis is almost as beautiful as the song
@hopeandunderstanding I couldn't agree more - the crying, your interpretation and the living through it. Thanks for taking the time to write this out.
@hopeandunderstanding I couldn't agree more - the crying, your interpretation and the living through it. Thanks for taking the time to write this out.