What Are Words For? (6/30)

[Railyn]

I must say that although I love this song, it's meaning is a tad unclear to me.

It's a great song, but I was surprised at how few lyrics there are. I underestimated the amount of instrumentals in this song.

So here it is, a favorite song by a very favorite artist:

CHEER DOWN
by: George Harrison
album: Lethal Weapon 2 Soundtrack and Best of Dark Horse
author: G. Harrison/T. Petty

I can see by your grin
That you're trembling within
It's all over town, cheer down
And the smile on your face
Is sometimes out of place
Don't mind, no frowns, cheer down.

If your hair should fall
If your shares should crash
You'll get by even without getting a rash

There's no tears to be shed
I'm gonna love you instead
I want you around, cheer down.

When your teeth drop out
You'll get by even without taking a bite

If your dog should be dead
I'm gonna love you instead
The world loves a clown, cheer down.
I want you around, cheer down


My Opinion In A Nutshell (and it's stretching it here): Some people hide their real feelings. Perhaps he's saying it's ok to be sad sometimes? Perhaps mood swings? As I've said - I love this one but it's a bit unclear to me.

Favorite Line: None specifically. This is one where I just love the whole "sound" of the song.

[Dawn]

I agree that this one is pretty elusive. Some of the lyrics are contradictory, such as "cheer down", which makes me think he might be trying to present two opposite ideas as being related or similar in some way. I think you have the right idea about people hiding their feelings. We try to put on a happy front, but it's better to let others know how we really feel.

[Railyn]

Dawn said:

I agree that this one is pretty elusive. Some of the lyrics are contradictory, such as "cheer down", which makes me think he might be trying to present two opposite ideas as being related or similar in some way. I think you have the right idea about people hiding their feelings. We try to put on a happy front, but it's better to let others know how we really feel.

That's a good thought, Dawn. I knew I was gonna toss this one in somewhere - I thought maybe someone had a better idea than I did. Although if you look at the songwriting duo, it's no wonder it's a bit elusive....

[H2IZCOOL]

I think, Railyn, that you're correct with interpreting this as it's OK to be sad. Cheer Down is the opposite of Cheer Up. If someone is sad for no important reason you advise them to cheer up, things aren't so bad. Here, instead Harrison presents a case where bad things have happened to someone: The stock market has crashed, their dog has died, they've lost their teeth, etc. George is telling these people,don't pretend to be happy. It's OK to be sad, and you'll live longer than if you try to keep it inside, and show, as Dawn says, a happy front.

[Railyn]

H2IZCOOL said:

I think, Railyn, that you're correct with interpreting this as it's OK to be sad. Cheer Down is the opposite of Cheer Up. If someone is sad for no important reason you advise them to cheer up, things aren't so bad. Here, instead Harrison presents a case where bad things have happened to someone: The stock market has crashed, their dog has died, they've lost their teeth, etc. George is telling these people,don't pretend to be happy. It's OK to be sad, and you'll live longer than if you try to keep it inside, and show, as Dawn says, a happy front.

Another good idea, H2. That's kind of what I've always thought, but I tend to over-analyze things sometimes. I always get lost in the music. It's classic Harrison.