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I love the Beatles and I think I know the words to all of their song—or at least all of the big hits, you know. I learned English from a Beatles’ Greatest Hits tape that my parents brought with them from Poland to Germany to Libya to Italy and to Canada. “Yesterday” was the first English “poem” I learned, by transcribing it repeatedly when I was learning English as a nine-year-old in Italy, in an immigrant language class taught by a old British dude called Mr. Smith. Point: I really, really love the Beatles and when a Beatles song comes on, I start to sing along.

So when “Try to see it my way” comes on in the car while we’re driving to a coffee date pre-the youngest child’s basketball practice, I of course start to sing along.

“Try to see it my way
Do I have to keep on talking till I can’t go on?
While you see it your way
Run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone”

But for some reason, I actually listen to the words, apparently for the first time ever.

“You can get it wrong and still you think that it’s alright
Think of what I’m saying
We can work it out and get it straight or say goodnight
We can work it out
We can work it out…”

Um. Paul? John?

Do you hear what you’re actually saying?

“So I will ask you once again
Try to see it my way
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong
While you see it your way
There’s a chance that we may fall apart before too long…”

Because what I’m hearing is that the only way forward is for me to see it your way, because my way is 100% wrong, so, like, we can only work it our if I come to your side, entirely, because you’re 100% sure that you’re right and I’m wrong.

And of course (according to the song), I’m sure that I’m right and you’re wrong.

But you’re actually right (you say), while I’m wrong (you say).

And, oh baby, if that’s how you feel, we definitely can’t work it out.

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I don’t think there’s a second verse to this post. But maybe there’s a moral. If you really love a song (its tune, its beat, its hummability), don’t learn the lyrics. Odds are, it will be spoiled for you forever.

xoxo

“Jane”

Ps It’s a very, very catchy tune: