Charming

This is a song I love, one that will herald in a quasi-new "period," so to speak, of my songs.  It's the one that most, out of all of the songs I've ever written, speaks to the little girl in me (and that part of my mind that is still) fascinated by fairy tales and romantic, carefree stories that are meaningful in their meaninglessness.

Welcome.

This is also a song I wrote about three times.  Once, a long time ago.  (No, not once upon a time - too early.)  And then, because I wrote a song called "Loved You Best," which is upcoming and is thoroughly connected to "Charming," I wanted to revisit it.  And I couldn't find it.  So I tried to re-create it.  But as I was doing so, earlier this year, I misplaced that sheet of looseleaf as well, so I had to start again.  And that is the version you will see here, transcribed.

So, no, this is not the "original," as it were.  I have filled three notebooks with songs, but I am only left with two now, so I think this might have been a casualty of that.  For better or worse, I suppose.  Instead, I set about trying to recreate it from memory, which is a bit more difficult than it may sound (unless, of course, it does actually sound difficult).  I remembered a few of the major themes, and the bridge is basically a carbon copy of the original, I think.  So what you get here is a melding of sorts, of the person and the writer I used to be when I wrote it originally and of the person and writer I am now.

And I hope you'll see what I mean by that.  There's a nice, sweet, almost magical confluence of more childish images (the happily ever after, for starters, or the glass slipper moment) and the feeling of nostalgia (as in the second verse).  And when I introduce you to "Loved You Best," I'll get more into it, too, but this is the precursor to all that.  The charming part of somebody is how one gets drawn into wanting to know him/her better.  And that's what you have here - it's a song about being drawn into loving somebody. And it doesn't matter how long the "I think I could love you for a while" ends up being - a single night, or six and a half years, or forever.  Because it started with a dance, it started with an evening, and it started with someone being charming.

But then, of course, you have the "charming" meaning a little something else, as well.  Because, obviously, the fairytale imagery is STRONG here (maybe a little too much, but that's what makes it sweet).  I used so much from what I remembered, to make it work.  I think a part of everyone is just searching for the pieces to fit right - like a pair of glass slippers being made to fit just one person - and wants to feel like nothing is going to go wrong, especially with a beginning that's perfect, and that there really will be a happily ever after, etc.  So the use of the word "charming" is deliberate - namely, as in Prince Charming.  And there's an additional bit of cleverness that I won't go into, but it's something that makes it all just a little more meaningful than is inherent in the multilayered themes.

Additionally, you might be able to figure out why all of my recent songs incorporated an image of dancing.  It started with this.

Charming

your eyes were the first thing I saw, following me across the room
and I don't think anything's ever shined so bright
I should have prepared my heart, for what I was getting it into
but I didn't know, when I walked in here tonight
that you would be so charming, I'd want you to be mine
I heard about someone like you, once upon a time

CHORUS:
out of everyone in this crowded room, you're the only one I want to know better
and it's like I can't stop grinning like crazy, 'cause that's what you do to me
you catch my eye with a wink and a smile
and it makes me think I could love you for a while
careful now, or you might have me dreaming for once about happily ever after

it's just one moment in a life, but I'll remember it always
how you came over and asked me to dance right there
our hands met and I caught my breath, so close that I could touch your face
and I don't know who tried harder not to stare
all the lights in the room lit up your hair like a crown
and you looked at me like I was the only girl around

CHORUS:
out of everyone in this crowded room, you're the only one I want to know better
and it's like I can't stop grinning like crazy, 'cause that's what you do to me
you catch my eye with a wink and a smile
and it makes me think I could love you for a while
careful now, or you might have me dreaming for once about happily ever after

BRIDGE:
would you mind if I called you beautiful tonight?
you're charming and crazy, you've brought me to life
I hope I didn't dream this, don't let me be wrong
shouldn't you have a glass slipper for us* to try on?

CHORUS:
out of everyone in this crowded room, you're the only one I want to know better
and it's like I can't stop grinning like crazy, 'cause that's what you do to me
you catch my eye with a wink and a smile
and you whisper, "I think I could love you for a while"
careful now, or you might have me dreaming for once about happily ever after
oh, you've gotten me dreaming for once about happily ever after

your eyes were the first thing I saw, following me across the room
and I don't think anything's ever shined so bright... (end)

*This is something that could have been corny but ended up being really great.  Of course, the traditional fairytale image is the guy (that is, Prince Charming) whipping out a glass slipper for Cinderella to try on, to see whether or not she fits, which would mean that she's The One.  But including him in this phrase (as in, having the word "us" rather than "me"), in this more modern image, makes it all just a little less idealised, and a little more inclusive and unified.

At least I think so.  I wonder what you might think.

Much love, and thank you for the musik,

Just Another Ordinary Girl

And I don't know how it gets better than this / you take my hand and drag me headfirst, fearless.  And I don't know why, but with you, I'd dance in a storm in my best dress, fearless.