B.J. Thomas - Songs Lyrics
Lyrics
People I don't understand them
Never can and never could
The more I get to know them
The less I think I should
They don't mean the things they say
Or say the things they mean
You got to try and find the message
Somewhere in between
But songs are such good things
They never change their tune
They fill up lonesome evenings
And empty afternoons
Songs make such easy friends
All you do is sing along
And you can't stay a stranger to a song
Everyone seems to be moving
Moving up or moving on
Just when you try to touch them
That when you find they're gone
We pass through each others lives
Then fade into the past
You just don't know who to believe in
No one seems to last
But songs are such good things
They never change their tune
They fill up lonesome evenings
And empty afternoons
Songs make such easy friends
All you do is sing along
And you can't stay a stranger to a song
Old songs
New songs
Bright songs
Blue songs
Sweet songs
Soul songs
The rock and roll songs
Songs are such easy friends
All you do is sing along
And you can't stay a stranger to a song
Video
B.J. Thomas - "I Just Can't Help Believing"
Meaning & Inspiration
The song "Songs" by B.J. Thomas explores the often-complex and sometimes disappointing nature of human relationships in contrast with the simple, enduring comfort found in music. The lyrics open by expressing a fundamental difficulty in understanding people, noting their inconsistencies and the lack of clarity in their communication. There's a sense of weariness with the effort required to decipher intentions and find truth in interactions, leading to a feeling that perhaps deeper understanding is undesirable given the observed behaviors. This sets up a backdrop of human connection being a source of confusion and potential disillusionment.
Against this backdrop, the song introduces music as a steadfast and reliable counterpoint. Songs are described as inherently good things that possess a rare constancy; unlike people, they "never change their tune." They are portrayed as companions that effortlessly fill the void of loneliness, providing solace during "lonesome evenings" and "empty afternoons." This highlights music's ability to offer comfort and structure to solitary moments, acting as a dependable presence when human interaction falls short. The ease with which one can connect with music is emphasized; simply singing along dissolves the barrier of being a stranger.
The theme of human transience is further developed, illustrating how people are constantly in motion, either advancing in life or simply moving away. There is a poignant reflection on the difficulty of maintaining connection, as individuals vanish just when one attempts to reach out. The passage of time is shown to erode relationships, with people fading into the past, leaving a feeling of uncertainty about who can be trusted or counted on, as no one seems to last indefinitely in one's life. This reinforces the earlier sentiment of human connection being unstable and potentially fleeting.
The contrast is resolved once more by returning to the reliable nature of songs. The chorus repetition underscores their role as good things, unchanging and capable of filling the void left by unstable human connections. Music remains an accessible and welcoming friend, requiring nothing more than participation through singing along to forge a bond. The song concludes by listing a variety of song types – old, new, bright, blue, sweet, soul, rock and roll – to emphasize that this welcoming friendship is not limited to a specific genre or mood but is universally available. Regardless of form, songs offer an easy companionship, ensuring that anyone can find solace and connection simply by engaging with them.