Sometimes in life you have people who will surprise you. Sometimes that person will be someone that you are happily surprised by all the time. This song was introduced to me by my son. He never ceases to surprise me. Even down to his choices of artists that he listens to. He is one of those people that really listens to music. Not just Bob’s head, and then years later he says, “I have no idea that is what the song said…” which, I have to admit, I have done quite a few times in my lifetime.
Have you ever listened to a song that was surprisingly upbeat until you listened to the lyrics? This is one of those kinds of songs… let’s see if you can guess it.
"I'm a-okay, I'm a-okay
You say it but you just don't mean it
You're so insane, you're so insane
Shut up and just enjoy this feeling."
Why I Love This Lyric:
When I was first introduced to this band, they were not really my vibe. Catchy? Absolutely! Bring out the Carlton in me? You betcha!
The main singer’s voice is often overly cheerful and is the kind of voice that makes you think that what he is singing about is being the happiest he has ever been in his lifetime with this top 100 hit ultimate sunny-day anthem. But as we all know, sometimes we have to lie to ourselves just to get out of bed in the morning. But this song says what we often think to say to ourselves.
That one line, “You say it, but you just don’t mean it,” hits…it hits hard. Throughout the song, you almost wonder, who is he trying to convince? Himself or others? Who are they pretending for?
(Side note—did you know that the phrase ‘a-ok’ became popular in the 1950s due to advertisements but actually has quite the history from its origin story?) We do love to slang the English language up, don’t we?
Saying that we say something but we do not mean it really causes emotional turmoil. We feel like we are a fraud or that we were lied to. When someone says it to us, we often ask them, “Why didn’t you just tell me the truth?” Often because of the stigma that still exists around mental health. We try to convince ourselves and others that we will be a-ok. That we got this. We can do it. Say whatever we can to convince ourselves that it is true. It also makes me feel pacified when people toss around empty reassurances and you’re left wondering if anyone is being real. Am I alone?
Then we often see that others, in fact, seem fine! We see smiling faces on social media. Hear our friends laughing in the living room while we have a little tiny panic attack in the bathroom because you just can’t be in the moment. Enjoy the moment. You do indeed “feel insane.” You’re insane for not being able to laugh and be a part of the group like you ever so desperately want to be. That “fake it until you make it” part of you that you try to hide away because you are told that you will manifest those good feelings if you tell your brain that it is happy.
That last line, “Shut up and just enjoy this feeling,” sounds like someone desperately trying to mute their anxiety by dancing it away. Been there. Felt that. Hell, I’ve done that. Just be happy being happy! But mental health is a bitch! One day you feel fine, and the next you’re wondering if you need to be put on Zoloft…again.
Did you guess the artist?
I now quite enjoy most of this band’s songs and still have a great appreciation that my son listens to songs with depth. It also lets me know what he is feeling, and when he shows me songs, I have an honest conversation with him about why he might like a certain lyric or band. I appreciate the brief glimpse into his noggin and his ability to express his feelings.
Leave a comment below if you know the artist or if you had to click on the link below to find out where the lyric came from!
Please go here to listen to the full song and other music that this artist makes! Enjoy!
Leave a Reply