Introduction
I needed to select a song for my paper analyzing song lyrics, and chose one of my favorites. Hootie and the Blowfish is an American rock band, and one of their songs is titled “Let Her Cry.” This song is about the termination of a girl’s relationship with a guy who was harmful to their relationship. They give off the impression of being in an intense relationship, yet the phrase “I was by myself when I woke up this morning” reveals otherwise (Hootie & Blowfish, 2009).
The guy cannot let go of the girl, even though he knows he ought to. When one listens to the song, it appears that the male protagonist is more preoccupied with the female protagonist than she is with herself. This research paper analyzes concepts of gender, sexuality, forms of love, and attachment patterns, drawing on insights from Hootie and Blowfish.
Gender and Sexuality
This song appears to invert the traditional gender roles typically assigned to men and women. Women are often perceived as more vocal about their emotions and feelings, whereas men are typically viewed as more stoic individuals who demonstrate their love through more demonstrative characteristics (Hootie & Blowfish, 2009). When I think of a relationship getting divorced, it is almost always because the male partner is unwilling to communicate his emotions and open up to the female partner. Therefore, when you read the title of this song, “Let Her Cry,” your first thought is probably that the male is ending his relationship with the girl.
In this song, however, it is not the case at all. In reality, the girl displays more traditionally masculine characteristics, such as appearing rigid, as if she does not care enough about the relationship. In the song’s lyrics, he admits, “She never allows me in, and the only time she tells me where she has been is when she is drinking too much” (Hootie & Blowfish, 2009). This shows that he is the one willing to communicate with her and get to know her, while she is the one who is reluctant to open up to him unless she is intoxicated. Thus, this provides the appearance that the link is not healthy.
Type of Love
According to the triangular theory of love, the aspect of love that must be present in this song to be considered current would have to be committed. Choosing to love someone and doing what it takes to keep that love going is an act of commitment. The boy briefly mentions it at the song’s outset, but its conclusion has eliminated it.
The guy sings at the beginning of the song a feeling of attachment, and by the end of the lyrics, it says, “She went in the back to get high; I lay down on my couch and cried; Yelling: ‘Oh mother, please help me”(Hootie & Blowfish, 2009). These verses demonstrate that she does not care enough and decides to prioritize drugs over him while he pleads for assistance to get away from her and be done with it.
Love and Attachment Styles
Even though he displays a more profound desire to be with her, she continues to express emotion for him throughout the song. Their romantic relationships are more characterized by mania because they are predicated on an obsession. Since she has put him through hell, but he still sticks around and cannot let her go, he seems more obsessed with her. He cannot seem to let go of her.
For instance, she is intoxicated when he approaches her at the song’s beginning, and he sings, “I claim that I do not care, I just run my hands through her dark hair.” (Hootie & Blowfish, 2009). This shows that his interest in her as a person supersedes his distaste for her actions. He would rather deal with it to keep her than risk being alone.
Recommendation
My recommendation to this person is that he get out of this unhealthy relationship as soon as possible. It may seem like the end of the world when you let go of what you once believed you needed to survive, but it is preferable to lead a life of solitude in which one is happy rather than one in which one is emotionally torn apart. Instead of critiquing the other person for issues you do not like or do not do for you, tell them what you want from the relationship. This will make things simpler for you when you terminate the relationship.
Conclusion
In conclusion to this research paper, any musician composing a love song should emphasize gender and sexuality, type of love, love and attachment styles, and pieces of advice. Similarly, respecting the partner’s feelings is essential, as depicted in the song “Let Her Cry.” The band Hootie and the Blowfish emphasizes its significance in the song “Let Her Cry,” which can be found on their album.
Reference
Hootie and Blowfish. Let Her Cry. (2009). YouTube. Web.