The pop trio Hanson never, I believe, threatened to encroach on my radar in the 1990s. I knew of them — they were hard to miss entirely — but they seemed too, I don’t know, insubstantial or something.*
This video from their latest album makes me think, like, Hmm, maybe it’s past time to pay attention… Some of the comments at YouTube say pretty much the same thing. My favorite one begins: “What the hell? At what point did Hanson become awesome?” Ha!
Of course, it doesn’t hurt — from my perspective — that I can see the cross-references not just to The Blues Brothers Movie, but also to The Temptations, Aretha Franklin…
(Lyrics below the video.)
Lyrics:
Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’
(words, music, and performance by Hanson)Well, I gave you love, you know it
So when did you outgrow it?
And decide that you would find another man
Well, you’ve been out there shakin’
Tell the boys you’re chasing
When you get home, I’ll be the bigger manI’ve been thinking ’bout somethin’
I’ve been thinking ’bout somethin’ other than youI ignored your reputation
‘Cause you send my heart racing
You think I would always be the fool
Well, I’ve run out of patience
For this sticky situation
You won’t find me crying that we’re throughI’ve been thinking ’bout somethin’
I’ve been thinking ’bout somethin’ other than you
It’s sad to say, but baby everyday
I’ve been thinking ’bout somethin’
I’ve been thinking ’bout somethin’ other than you
It’s sad to say, heyWell, if you’re not too proud to beg
I could give you some respectThat tune you’re humming is never gonna change
You didn’t have to do what you did
I didn’t think you’d end it like this
‘Cause the love I’ve got is better than what you gave
Well, I’ve got girls in line
Waiting for these arms of mine
Listen up to what I sayI’ve been thinking ’bout somethin’
I’ve been thinking ’bout somethin’ other than you
It’s sad to say, but baby everyday
I’ve been thinking ’bout somethin’
I’ve been thinking ’bout somethin’ other than youHey, hey, I took my best shot
I’ve had enough of your tainted love you give me everyday
I tried to limit the lonely nights
But darlin’ please, c’mon, c’mon
I’m not gonna make that same mistakeYou’ve been out there foolin’,
but I’m not thinkin’ about you
I’ve been gettin’ the love that moves me,
while you’ve been getting around
You’ve been out there foolin’,
but I’m not thinkin’ about you
I’ve been gettin’ the love that moves me,
while you’ve been getting around
You’ve been out there foolin’,
but I’m not thinkin’ about you
I’ve been gettin’ the love that moves me,
while you’ve been getting around
___________________________
* He said, recalling the depths and heights of his own thoughts and sensibilities, not just when he was in his own late teens but also twenty-thirty years later, when Hanson was at their peak popularity.
whaddayamean says
oh my god.
Hanson was the first cd i ever bought. i won’t tell you how old i was at the time. you can probably guess. i had no idea they were still around.
::fast-action google stalking::
Jules says
You know, they were easy to make fun of before, but I always noted that they wrote all their music and played all their instruments and such. In other words, I saw the talent there.
That really is a good song.
John says
whaddayamean: Yes, I can guess. But I prefer not to — I prefer to think of you as… ageless.
Jules: If you ever decide you need a break from kids’ books, I gotta say, music is always waiting for you just around the corner!