Something to talk about -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 13:46:14 04/15/08 Tue
Author: Janelle
Subject: Something to talk about

I've always loved teh song "Something to talk about" by Bonnie Raitt, but the other day, while I had thoughts of Girard and go-betweens in my head, I started to wonder if there was something more to the song than I realized. I've always taken it as best friends are in love, don't realize or admit it, and it is only after others notice and begin to spread rumors that they realize it for themselves. Then I got to thinking about it and wondered if this isn't mediated just as much as the love story of Paolo and Francesca. Here are the lyrics:

*Bonnie Raitt-Something to About*

Ooh, ooh, ooh,
People are talkin', talkin' 'bout people,
I hear them whisper, you won't believe it.
They think we're lovers kept under cover,
I just ignore it but they keep sayin' we...
Laugh just a little too loud,
Stand just a little too close,
We stare just a little too long.
Maybe they're seein', somethin' we don't darlin'.

Let's give 'em somethin' to talk about
(Somethin' to talk about)
Let's give 'em somethin' to talk about
(Somethin' to talk about)
Let's give 'em somethin' to talk about
How about love?

I feel so foolish, I never noticed
You act so nervous, could you be fallin' for me?
It took the rumor to make me wonder,
Now I'm convinced that I'm goin' under.
Thinkin' 'bout you every day,
Dreamin' 'bout you every night.
I'm hopin' that you feel the same way,
Now that we know it, let's really show it darlin'.

Let's give 'em somethin' to talk about
(Somethin' to talk about)
A little mystery to figure out
(Somethin' to talk about)
Let's give 'em somethin' to talk about
How about love?

Let's give 'em somethin' to talk about babe,
A little mystery to figure out.
Let's give 'em somethin' to talk about,
How about love? Ooh...
Listen to 'em baby
(Somethin' to talk about)
A little mystery won't hurt 'em
(Somethin' to talk about)
Let's give 'em somethin' to talk
How about our love, love, love, love
Whoowhoo mmmm hey oohh whoowhoo
About love, love, love, love
How about they talk about it? uh huh
Talk about love........
--------
Although my original take on the song may not be wrong (their love may be genuine), it is important to note the fact that the friends don't even consider a relationship with each other until other people suggest it--models anyone? Although the thought had, probably, never crossed either friend's mind, once someone else suggests it, it is immediately acted upon and is determined to really be love: "It took a rumor to make me *wonder* / Now I'm *conviced* that I'm goin' under". And what are the friends doing when they actually get together? Merely acting out what everyone suggested they were doing in the first place. Just as Lancelot and Guinevere serve as models for Paolo and Francesca, the rumors serve as a model for the couple.

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Replies:

Re: Something to talk about -- Katelyn R., 22:51:57 04/20/08 Sun