What’s happiness?
Charlene’s song I’ve Never Been To Me has been negatively criticized by jealous housewives when it comes in 1982, (the year mom gives birth to my older brother) my mom hated her because Charlene sings as if she had so bad, but now as an adult myself, every word she sings makes sense.
As a man I shed tears while listening to this song. Too many people running after false freedom and forgetting the real happiness we can easily find at home with our family. This song tells everything.
— Waluya Waluya
Lyrics
Hey lady, you, lady, cursin’ at your life
You’re a discontented mother and a rich inventive wife
I’ve no doubt you dream about the things you’ll never do
But I wish someone had a talked to me like I wanna talk to you
Ooh I’ve been to Georgia and California, oh, anywhere I could run
Took the hand of a preacher man and we made love in the sun
But I ran out of places and friendly faces because I had to be free
I’ve been to paradise, but I’ve never been to me
Please lady, please, lady, don’t just walk away
Cause I have this need to tell you why I’m all alone today
I can see so much of me still living in your eyes
Won’t you share a part of a weary heart that has lived a million lies
Oh I’ve been to Nice and the isle of Greece
While I sipped champagne on a yacht
I moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo and showed ’em what I’ve got
I’ve been undressed by kings and I’ve seen some things
That a woman ain’t s’posed to see
I’ve been to paradise, but I’ve never been to me
Hey, you know what paradise is? It’s a lie, a fantasy we create about
People and places as we’d like them to be but you know what truth is?
It’s that little baby you’re holding, and it’s that man you fought with
This morning, the same one you’re going to make love with tonight
That’s truth, that’s love
Sometimes I’ve been to cryin’ for unborn children
That might have made me complete
But I, I took the sweet life and never knew I’d be bitter from the sweet
I spent my life exploring the subtle whoring that cost too much to be free
Hey lady, I’ve been to paradise, but I’ve never been to me
I’ve been to paradise, never been to me
(I’ve been to Georgia and California, and anywhere I could run)
I’ve been to paradise, never been to me
(I’ve been to Nice and the isle of Greece
While I sipped champagne on a yacht)
I’ve been to paradise, never been to me
(I’ve been to cryin’ for unborn children)
Jessica / Jessie
Jessica / Jessie Winterspring is a time travel romance fanatic who loves writing fiction about ordinary people with extraordinary experiences. She blogs music inspired stories, poems, micro-fictions, moments in life. She enjoy spending time outdoors, adore animals and traveling with her family. She like anything unusual and fun. CLICK HERE to read more about her or CLICK HERE to view her books
10 Comments
Sandeep Kumar Verma
Great song. For her what she has lost became her paradise, and all those moms are living it. For them what the singer is explaining about in her song is paradise.
Paradise is beyond both these situation, it is called realising the self or knowing the answer of āWho am i?ā.
Jessica E. Larsen
You’re right. A lot of people (women especially) seem to be looking for themselves. It’s a crappy feeling. I once thought that way too but if only they can look at what they have, the treasure they got beside them, then it’s easy to know the answer to “who am I”
Thank you so much for dropping by and sharing such thoughtful feedback.
cheriewhite
Great post! I remember the song but didn’t understand exactly what it meant when it first came out. I was only 11. But now I do! Thank you for the reminder. There are people who would give anything to have an ounce of what we have.
Jessica E. Larsen
Me too! I thought it was a terrible song. My memory of it is my mom getting pissed off each time it play on the radio. I was really happy when I found it by chance. You’re right about how some people would throw everything to get what we have š
cheriewhite
I can just see your mom quickly changing the dial. LOL Charlene doesn’t have the best voice in my opinion either. But as you said, the message is great! š
Jessica E. Larsen
I agree. I’ve heard a better voice, but the message in the song is too good not to love. I can clearly see my mother too. In fact, I can see her throwing us away for that “freedom”.
Thanks for this comment and sorry for the late reply, it ended up in the spam. š
cheriewhite
I’m so sorry that happened, Jessica. And I completely understand. I get a lot of legitimate comments in spam too and it’s annoying. Have a wonderful weekend. ā¤
Jessica E. Larsen
Same to you. A wonderful, peaceful weekend. š
SRIKANTH
Good one ! I just gained a fair idea of happiness Jesica ! The song lyrics is good šš¤
Jessica E. Larsen
Thank you. š I’m glad you like it and have given you inspiration.