11:38 p.m. - 2008-06-12
No Love Today
Did you ever hear a song again for the first time after countless listenings? Such was the case for me with "No Love Today" by Chris Smither. Specifically the second and third verses. I know I've heard it a thousand times (approximately, my phone doesn't keep track of such things,0) but it really struck me dumb when it came on today. I had just started my walk and I had to stop in my tracks and listen to it all the way through for a second time. I'll spare you the tedium of my interpretation and what it meant to me personally and just submit it for your perusal.
I don't know much, when I knew less
And I was heartbroke for the first time,
I was drowning in my tears
I went looking for a lifeline
Trying to find some comfort,
A simple tender touch
Searching for some little cure
That would not cost too much
And I could hear that produce wagon on the street
I could hear that farmer singing
As I cried myself to sleep
CHORUS
I got ba-na-na, watermelon, peaches by the pound,
Sweet corn, mirleton, mo' better than in town,
I got okra, enough to choke ya,
Beans of every kind
If hungry is what's eatin' you
I'll sell you peace of mind
But this ain't what you came to hear me say
And I hate to disappoint you
But I got no love today
I got no love today
I got no love today
No love today
I could not love to save myself
From lonesome desperation.
Everything I thought was love
Was worthless imitation.
My concept of commitment
Was to take all you could give
I thought the cheapest thrills I loved
Were teachin' me to live
But nothin' seemed to last or see me through
Nothin' but that little song
That I still sing for you.
CHORUS
No love today, none tomorrow,
Not now, not forever.
You can't see what comes for free
I think you much too clever
For your own good I will tell you
What's right before your eyes
Intelligence is no defense
Against what this implies,
In the end no one will sell you what you need,
You can't buy it off the shelf
You got to grow it from the seed
CHORUS
