I don't want to fake you out,
Take or shake or forsake you out,
I ain't lookin' for you to feel like me,
See like me or be like me.
All I really want to do
Is, baby, be friends with you.
All I Really Want To Do - Another Side of Bob Dylan - 1964
The lyrics here resonate with me on a daily basis. Its not so much leave me alone, as it is let me be who I am. There is so much pressure (direct and indirect) applied from work, friends, family and society to conform in every possible way. We're only allowed to be "different" in ways that are pre-screened and safe to express to the world. Why do we allow ourselves to be so conveniently boxed and sold?
Its not that I'm all that radical or crazy but my method of doing things differs from time to time and the judgment of those differences is so maddeningly constant, I can count on one hand the amount of people in this world I can express a thought to without having to think twice how they'll interpret that thought and how it will reflect upon me.
Worse yet, some days I find myself boxing people.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Al I've enjoyed this post most out of all since we started blogging. You hold a feeling that most don't. If I can reference a contemporary of Dylan's, Dave Matthews, referred to this as the "Ants Marching" syndrome. The truth is social norms shape and conflict with true human feeling. Let's also keep in mind the largest target market are these people that allow social norms to shape human interaction. Dylan is basically saying, "Hey babe, relax let's hang and whatever comes about comes about, but please leave the expectations and norms at the door." How many times, especially in our youth, have we all failed to be open and let great moments slips because of these norms? Humans adapt, therefore norms change, unfortunately for us it may take a long time before we are satisfied. Live your life, act as you will and just don't hurt anybody, that's all Bob is saying !
ReplyDeletei agree with both of you on this. sometimes all
ReplyDeletewe have with anyone is what seems like a fleeting moment, and if that moment is cherished
with purity of purpose, we can gain much from spending that moment. i think this is another
"relationships of ownership" song, in which
expectation, norms and social mores often injure
what could be beautiful. alas, again i ramble.