No Choice in the Matter
Love's Unavoidable Grip: No Choice in the Matter
Lyrics
We'll say a friend of mine, a fella I know real well
The narrator mentions a friend who shared a personal story.
Came to me on Friday and he had a story to tell
The friend approached the narrator on a Friday with a story.
I've heard it a thousand times, but this one hits close to home
The narrator has heard a similar story many times, but this one is emotionally impactful.
The woman who left him I've taken for my own
The woman who left the friend is now with the narrator.
Love leaves you no choice in the matter
Love doesn't give you a choice; it happens involuntarily.
And there ain't a damn thing sadder than a man
Expresses the sadness of a man deeply involved in a genuine emotional experience.
In the throes of something real
Refers to the intense emotions experienced in a real and profound connection.
The woman that lays down beside you
Describes the woman lying beside the man in this emotional state.
She can't help or hide you
Indicates that the woman can't control or conceal the man's emotions.
It don't matter how she wants to feel
Regardless of the woman's feelings, the man's emotional state prevails.
So I bought him a round or two and gave him a talking to
The narrator buys the friend drinks and offers advice.
I said, "Boy, you can't let yourself get so far"
Advises the friend not to let himself get too deeply involved emotionally.
But you can't tell a man a thing when he's picking out diamond rings
Highlighting the difficulty of advising someone deeply immersed in a romantic pursuit.
And you yourself don't know who you are
Reflects the complexity of self-awareness when pursuing a romantic relationship.
Love leaves you no choice in the matter
Reiterates that love doesn't offer a choice; it happens naturally.
And there ain't a damn thing sadder than a man
Expresses the sadness of a man deeply involved in a genuine emotional experience (repeated).
In the throes of something real
Reiterates the intensity of emotions in a real and profound connection (repeated).
The woman that lays down beside you
Describes the woman lying beside the man in this emotional state (repeated).
She can't help or hide you
Indicates that the woman can't control or conceal the man's emotions (repeated).
It don't matter how she wants to feel
Regardless of the woman's feelings, the man's emotional state prevails (repeated).
My hands, they used to be a young man's hands
The narrator reflects on how time and hard work have aged his hands.
But I worked 'em to the bone
Describes the physical toll of labor on the narrator's hands.
When'd she even find the time to get to know another man?
Questions when the woman found time to be with another man.
"Leave me alone," he said, "Leave me alone"
Quoting the other man, expressing a desire to be left alone.
Love leaves you no choice in the matter
Reiterates that love doesn't offer a choice; it happens naturally (repeated).
And there ain't a damn thing sadder than a man
Expresses the sadness of a man deeply involved in a genuine emotional experience (repeated).
In the throes of something real
Reiterates the intensity of emotions in a real and profound connection (repeated).
The woman that lays down beside you
Describes the woman lying beside the man in this emotional state (repeated).
She can't help or hide you
Indicates that the woman can't control or conceal the man's emotions (repeated).
It don't matter how she wants to feel
Regardless of the woman's feelings, the man's emotional state prevails (repeated).
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