Rewriting a 1970s rock classic

[thatcrazycajun]

Well, the other day, I was driving and heard on the radio a really great cover of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's old hit, "Love the One You're With," done by the late, great and dearly missed R&B crooner Luther Vandross. While I mainly enjoy the melody and driving piano hooks, it occurred to me that the lyrics might not be the best thing for men with wives or girlfriends far absent to be hearing. Maybe it's just the incipient old fogey in me, but it does appear as though Stephen Stills was basically writing to encourage infidelity ("There's a girl right next to you / And she's just waiting for something to do...").

So I took it upon myself to come up with lyrics more suitable to help someone in a long-distance relationship hang on to their integrity and preserve a relationship in which both have agreed to exclusivity. (And I just know my Songbird is going to tease me yet again about my statement to her, early in our dating, that monogamy is not a natural state for most males of the species.) What follows is my version; comments not required, but welcome. (I do realize that my poly friends may take issue with this; any intelligent and respectful objections are also welcome.)

DON'T LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH
Based on "Love the One You're With" music & lyrics by Stephen Stills
New Lyrics: Matt G. Leger

When you're down and confused
Well, you got someone who's counting on you
Concentration can slip any day
 ‘Cause your woman is so far away

Chorus:
    Well, keep that rose in your fisted glove
    And let the eagle fly with the dove
    You must be faithful to the one you love, honey
    Not the one you’re with (4x)

Don’t be angry, don’t be sad
Just remember the good times you’ve had
Forget that girl right next to you
Think of your baby, you'll know what to do
Repeat Chorus

Dit dit dit dit dit dit dit dit
dit dit dit dit dit dit dit dit
dit dit dit dit dit dit dit dit
dit dit dit, dit dit dit
(Bridge)

Yeah, there's heartache now, but there will be joy
When your sweet girl comes back to her boy
When you're together, make it real nice
You ain’t gonna need anymore advice
Repeat Chorus

Dit dit dit dit dit dit dit dit
dit dit dit dit dit dit dit dit
dit dit dit dit dit dit dit dit
dit dit dit, dit dit dit

New lyrics ©2007 by Matt G. Leger. Performance/recording for profit requires prior written consent from all copyright holders and payment of royalties per ASCAP/BMI standard. All other uses of lyrics freely permitted so long as this notice is retained unaltered.

Comments

[pocketnaomi.livejournal.com]

I don't have a problem with this; poly doesn't mean or sanction cheating. The song works for anyone who doesn't have blanket preauthorization to do whatever they want whenever they want, and is doubtless perfectly understandable even to those who do, even if they don't happen to live that way. Nicely done.

[ladymondegreen.livejournal.com]

Well said, Naomi. :)

Nice song, Matt.