Music Review: M2M "Don't Say You Love Me"
M2M
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Don't Say You Love Me
Album: Shades of Purple
Year: 1999
Marit Larsen wards off unwanted sexual advances from a touchy-feely date in the firm "Don't Say You Love Me."
She met her date through a friend of hers. She thought he was a good-looking. He set the bar. He took her to see a movie. While they wait for movie the start, he begins to kiss her neck and cheek. Startled, she tells him to stop.
In the second verse, she explains to him that he went past her boundaries. He seemed like a nice guy but she finds him skeevy. She won't disavow her beliefs just to be with him. He's not worth it. She says in the future they may make out. But not right now. They have to build a relationship first.
In the chorus, she tells him that it's only the first date and they met briefly. There's no possible way he could have an intense emotional attraction to her. She says she wants to wait before having sex. He protests but Larsen shuts him down. She says it's not going to be the end-all be-all of relationships and to be patient with her.
She details the type of person she is. She will spell out her feelings regarding sex. She won't dodge the subject or tiptoe. Once she says why she's not ready, she expects him not to pressure her again. She wants them to get to know each other first. However, he keeps insisting on making out. In turn, it's irritating her and she wants nothing to do with him.
After the chorus, Larsen "na na na's" through the bridge. Marion Raven adds the "oh's" Then, M2M summarize the chorus.
The chorus is sung three times to end the single.
"Don't Say You Love Me" approaches pressure to have sex in a sophiscated way. First, Larsen is unafraid to stand up for herself and to tell her date to back off. She has self-confidence. While a boyfriend would be nice, it isn't necessary. She also knows what she wants out of a relationship, exactly how far she will go and when.
However, Larsen's pure, naive vocals betray her. Most tweens are starting to grapple with dating. They may know someone likes them, but otherwise they have to resort to teen magazines to guide them. Unlike Larsen, they also are trying to fit into junior high and make new friends. Sexuality is something they previously learned in fifth grade. It's not something they are fully aware of yet. Also, the handling of the new emotions could cause them to question themselves. The message of the single is smart and well-meaning but it's not realistic.
Album: Shades of Purple
Year: 1999
Marit Larsen wards off unwanted sexual advances from a touchy-feely date in the firm "Don't Say You Love Me."
She met her date through a friend of hers. She thought he was a good-looking. He set the bar. He took her to see a movie. While they wait for movie the start, he begins to kiss her neck and cheek. Startled, she tells him to stop.
"Got introduced to you by a friend/You were cute and all that, baby you set the trend/Yes you did, oh/The next thing I know were down at the cinema/We're sitting there, you start kissing me/What's that about?"
In the second verse, she explains to him that he went past her boundaries. He seemed like a nice guy but she finds him skeevy. She won't disavow her beliefs just to be with him. He's not worth it. She says in the future they may make out. But not right now. They have to build a relationship first.
"You're moving too fast, I don't understand you/I'm not ready yet, baby I can't pretend/No I can't/The best I can do is tell you to talk to me/It's possible, eventual/Love will find a way/Love will find a way."
In the chorus, she tells him that it's only the first date and they met briefly. There's no possible way he could have an intense emotional attraction to her. She says she wants to wait before having sex. He protests but Larsen shuts him down. She says it's not going to be the end-all be-all of relationships and to be patient with her.
"Don't say you love me/You don't even know me/If you really want me/
Then give me some time/Don't go there baby/Not before I'm ready/Don't say your heart's in a hurry/
It's not like we're gonna get married/Give me, give me some time."
She details the type of person she is. She will spell out her feelings regarding sex. She won't dodge the subject or tiptoe. Once she says why she's not ready, she expects him not to pressure her again. She wants them to get to know each other first. However, he keeps insisting on making out. In turn, it's irritating her and she wants nothing to do with him.
"Here's how I play, here's where you stand/
Here's what to prove to get any further than where it's been/I'll make it clear, not gonna tell you twice/
Take it slow, you keep pushing me/You're pushing me away/Pushing me away."
After the chorus, Larsen "na na na's" through the bridge. Marion Raven adds the "oh's" Then, M2M summarize the chorus.
" Oh, na, na, na, na, na, na, na/Na, na, na, na, na, na/Oh, na, na, na, na, na, na, na/Na, na, na, na, na, na, na/Don't say you love me/You don't even know me baby/Baby don't say love me, baby/If you really want me/Then give me some time (give me some time)"
The chorus is sung three times to end the single.
"Don't Say You Love Me" approaches pressure to have sex in a sophiscated way. First, Larsen is unafraid to stand up for herself and to tell her date to back off. She has self-confidence. While a boyfriend would be nice, it isn't necessary. She also knows what she wants out of a relationship, exactly how far she will go and when.
However, Larsen's pure, naive vocals betray her. Most tweens are starting to grapple with dating. They may know someone likes them, but otherwise they have to resort to teen magazines to guide them. Unlike Larsen, they also are trying to fit into junior high and make new friends. Sexuality is something they previously learned in fifth grade. It's not something they are fully aware of yet. Also, the handling of the new emotions could cause them to question themselves. The message of the single is smart and well-meaning but it's not realistic.