Ok...this post has absolutely NOTHING to do with Boy George, but it happens to be later in the evening for me, and therefore my inhibitions have decreased substantially to a point where I think I'm pretty damn clever right about now. I'm sure when I read this at a later date, I'll slap my forehead and utter some self-depricating remark. But until that day arrives, the title stays. So let's let it go.

I mention commas only because recently, someone indirectly pointed out what a significant form of punctuation they actually are. Perhaps you are familiar with an '80s tune titled "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House. If not, this entire post is lost on you, and I beg you to go out an educate yourself further in the arena of music...then return at a later date. Or, simply illegally download the song and let me know what you think. Anywho- I digress....again. The song..."Don't Dream It's Over", written by Neil Finn of Crowded house is a 3 minute and 52 second joy to listen to complete with haunting melodies, full bass, complex harmonies and borderline-genius guitar work (depending on which version you happen to get your hands on).

Now...the canumdrum: Don't Dream It's Over...OR...Don't Dream, It's Over. If there was ever any excuse to loose sleep over a comma, this is certainly it, folks. Both options are a possibility as far as I'm concerned. I will first address "Don't Dream It's Over":

Don't Dream It's Over: Comma or not, the song is clearly about a relationship. Sure, it's heavily skewed at first glance, and I'll be honest, I still don't understand what he implys with certain lyrics (i.e. 'Now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof. My possessions are causing me suspicion but there's no proof', 'Try to catch the Deluge in a paper cup', etc). However, the general tone of the song conveys a longing and a desperation that one could only associate with love. It could be DDIO minus the comma, which basically makes the song a plea for a distant love to come back in and reconnect with their partner. "I love you, we've had some rough times, the outside world has tried and tried to tear us apart, don't let them alter your perception and condemn what we have". Personally, I love this take...it's romantic and idealistic. Of course this plays on my heart strings, being a hopeless romantic, and it's the the more preferred interpretation of the two I've created in my own bored little mind. Sort of a "Love Conquers All" motif.

Don't Dream, It's Over: The comma. It doesn't change the fact that the song is about a relationship, but it does give the interpretation a complete 180º switch in what he hopes to accomplish in the said 3 minutes and 52 seconds. Instead of desperate, it strikes me more as melancholy and distant. Like he's the disillusioned lover saying that there's really no hope and love is a losing battle. When viewing the song with the comma in place, this interpretation seems most legitimate with the following lyrics: "Only shadows ahead, barely clearing a roof, get to know the feeling of liberation and relief". This hits me hard because I interpret it as him saying "Hey, it's over, it's done...we're caught in a trap (instead, this guy can walk out). We may as well embrace the breaking of our emotional bond and view it as something that can set us free and allow us to be functional individuals again." Almost as if their love consumed them to a point that it was dangerous and destructive (There is freedom within, there is freedom without).

A love that consumes can allow for much freedom to let your inhibitions run amuck like a toddler who just downed a liter of Jolt Cola, but be unbearably restricting in the same measure. While it's a weak analogy, I liken it to that outfit that makes you look drop dead gorgeous. I mean, people stop as you walk into a room and gape as you saunter by. You KNOW you look mah-velous. Unfortunately, you've given up your ability to breathe normally or sit to achieve this level of beauty. By the end of the evening, although all the attention has been more than flattering and good for the self image and ego, all you can think about is that bottle of champagne in the fridge, those nasty boxer shorts with purple stripes you've had since college and the shirt with holes in odd places, and how good that feels. The drop-dead outfit gives you power, you can woo anyone who engages in conversation with you, but the boxers...that's freedom.

Ok, maybe I lost you on the analogy, but I think I was on the right track. Anywho...what have we learned today? I'll list it:
1) I have WWAAAYYY too much time on my hands
2) Nothing was really solved, just further scrutinized
3) I should refrain from any further comparison of wardrobe to tormented relationships
4) I have an idealistic view of romance...and I really hope the song was meant to not have that comma
5) I have WWAAYYYYYY too much time on my hands

But I want to know what you think, even if your comments refer to my obvious need for a social life. We can also get into a comma/no comma debate if anyone actually ends up reading this...which is unlikely. Ok, I'm done, I'm gonna take a shower. Goodnight.