What were they thinking.....

jovifan93 · #51 03-14-2017, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becky

I love that song and don't understand why people are "puzzled" about the Heather line. The character in the song is a schizophrenic with delusions of grandeur, including talking to Jesus and being married to a celebrity.

BTW, the song is basted on a true story. When Jon was younger someone came up to his house saying he talked to Jesus and Jon was naive enough at the time to talk to him without considering he might have been a threat.

Interesting story, thanks for that!

I think the Heather line puzzles many (including me), because at the time, she was Richie's wife (or am I messing up time periods here?) and it just feels a little odd...

Jeeper · #52 03-14-2017, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jovifan93

That's a good question. Was it a habit in the early/mid 80s to have shorter albums? I always thought 12 tracks would be the norm, not 10. Could've easily fitted at least Edge Of A Broken Heart onto it, as well.

Hmm, maybe I was too hard on the song, and I have quite a few (fond) memories attached to the time when I've been listening to SWW for the first time (1993), but it's a weak song nonetheless. Maybe not crap, but weak.

Perhaps it was the norm back then. I'm trying to think of many early/mid 80's albums I own that have 12 or more songs.

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bonjovi90 · #53 03-14-2017, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jovifan93

Interesting story, thanks for that!

I think the Heather line puzzles many (including me), because at the time, she was Richie's wife (or am I messing up time periods here?) and it just feels a little odd...

No, they were married from 1994 until somewhere around the HAND tour, so she definitely was his wife around that period of time. This had actually puzzled me as well and it never occured to me that the narrator is schizophrenic or insane and therefore it's understandable.

jovifan93 · #54 03-14-2017, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonjovi90

No, they were married from 1994 until somewhere around the HAND tour, so she definitely was his wife around that period of time. This had actually puzzled me as well and it never occured to me that the narrator is schizophrenic or insane and therefore it's understandable.

Well, that the narrator is crazy, was always obvious to me. I mean besides talking to Jesus, which could still be normal for a religious guy, the following is just plain crazy or whatever you want to call it:

Quote:

You know Elvis Presley talks to me
Through my school teacher
Jon Lennon moved in down the street
He bought the pizzeria

And aliens control our lives
And when we speak, they're in our minds
And Heather Locklear is my wife
And, Man ain't a lucky guy

Still, the part about Heather Locklear somehow stands out and makes this awkward, because to me, it seems like either he's writing from Richie's perspective (which would equal saying Richie's crazy) or from someone's wishful thinking, which is ok, but I'd have picked another celebrity, and not the one your lead guitarist and buddy is married to...

Eveline · #55 03-14-2017, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jovifan93

Well, that the narrator is crazy, was always obvious to me. I mean besides talking to Jesus, which could still be normal for a religious guy, the following is just plain crazy or whatever you want to call it:

Still, the part about Heather Locklear somehow stands out and makes this awkward, because to me, it seems like either he's writing from Richie's perspective (which would equal saying Richie's crazy) or from someone's wishful thinking, which is ok, but I'd have picked another celebrity, and not the one your lead guitarist and buddy is married to...

This! It's so wrong on so many levels and I just can't imagine singing about any of my gffs' husbands like this

Besides, Jon was raised Catholic so talking to Jesus should be a normal thing to him, not a schizophrenic bull***t... lumping Jesus, Elvis and Heather must be some serious nut talking, though!

Becky · #56 03-14-2017, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eveline

This! It's so wrong on so many levels and I just can't imagine singing about any of my gffs' husbands like this

Besides, Jon was raised Catholic so talking to Jesus should be a normal thing to him, not a schizophrenic bull***t... lumping Jesus, Elvis and Heather must be some serious nut talking, though!

If he was making a nod toward a celebrity that someone would want to be married to, it's not "wrong" to make a shout out to your friend's wife. It's a compliment that of all the starlets in the world, he used Heather in the lyric. He could have easily picked someone younger and better looking.

Also, talking to Jesus is normal to him. if it wasn't, he wouldn't have given the original guy that inspired the song audience to start with. It's the REST of the story that reveals the guy is a nut. Jon has said he personally prays all the time.

Eveline · #57 03-14-2017, 09:14 PM

Becky, I appreciate your opinion, but I'm still not convinced

cqleonardo · #58 03-14-2017, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jovifan93

That's a good question. Was it a habit in the early/mid 80s to have shorter albums? I always thought 12 tracks would be the norm, not 10. Could've easily fitted at least Edge Of A Broken Heart onto it, as well.

Hmm, maybe I was too hard on the song, and I have quite a few (fond) memories attached to the time when I've been listening to SWW for the first time (1993), but it's a weak song nonetheless. Maybe not crap, but weak.

I have my version of the SWW and I think it works better than the original:
You Give Love A Bad Name
Raise Your Hands
Livin' On A Prayer
Borderline
Without Love
Wanted Dead Or Alive
Let It Rock
Edge of A Broken Heart
Social Disease
I'd Die For You
Never Say Goodbye
Wild In The Streets

Rdkopper · #59 03-14-2017, 11:50 PM

Borderline is not worthy of Slippery...

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Rdkopper · #60 03-14-2017, 11:50 PM

Edge is Brilliant and could replace half the album.

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What were they thinking.....

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