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Original poster

Am I a total dickwad or is Billy Joel

56 replies

NoSOHisadealbreaker · 20/08/2015 09:17

I love the song 'I love you just the way you are' even though it outs me as someone in her dotage.

However, the line 'I don't want clever conversations' irritates the b'jings out of me. What the frig is wrong with clever conversations? I would go so far as to say that they form (part of) the bedrock of the relationship between Mr Breaker and me, and I just love listening to interesting discussions that I'm not even part of.

Not saying this is for everyone...but it is the smug assumption that a clever conversation is somehow out of line that gets my goat. or maybe this is just because my mother always uses the term clever as an insult

But you see I also fear the implication that he just wants someone who looks good and 'I just want someone I can talk to' makes me think what he really means is 'I just want someone I can talk AT'

I'm overthinking this aren't I?

OP posts:
itsonlysubterfuge · 20/08/2015 09:48

My DH really likes having in-depth conversations about politics, etc. Things that I don't like discussing and really struggle to follow. Sometimes I'd rather just talk about easy things that don't require me to have to pay attention to something really boring and in-depth. So, I always agree with Billy Joel on that line.

Maybe he just means he doesn't want to discuss quantum physics while he's trying to get lucky Grin.

I grew up listening to Billy Joel and absolutely love him.

BrendaandEddie · 20/08/2015 09:49

the story was he had fallen in love with,, was it his mates wife/

i dunno, they eneded up together

bruffin · 20/08/2015 09:52

Did anyone see Moving Out. It was a modern ballet set to Billy Joel music at the Apollo Vic. It was excellent however they said it was suitable for over 5s ???? the dance to Captain Jack was very explicit but thankfully seemed to go over dcs head

BrendaandEddie · 20/08/2015 09:52

i dont think the gag about "She got the house. She got the car." helps my case!!

will always sing that now!

BrendaandEddie · 20/08/2015 09:54

lolz

OVienna · 20/08/2015 09:54

"I just wahnt sooomeone, that I can talk at" is what I suspect he means.

But if I were on Room 101, he'd be the first out the door.

BoskyCat · 20/08/2015 09:55

It is irritating but at least he's giving us fair warning I suppose. "I'm a bit thick and insecure and want a woman I can look down on a bit, and who won't ever leave me behind in the intellect or style stakes."

Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the color of your hair
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care

Great. So I have to not change, at all, ever, and you don't have to do anything to show you care, I'm just supposed to know. So romantic.

I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are

"Just the way I am", unless I think of changing anything about myself or having a brain, that is. No Newsnight/Casting Creme Gloss for me!

Original poster
NoSOHisadealbreaker · 20/08/2015 09:56

Maybe he just means he doesn't want to discuss quantum physics while he's trying to get lucky

Line of the day Subterfuge Grin

OP posts:
AtiaoftheJulii · 20/08/2015 10:00

I do love a bit of Billy Joel, but I can't help giving a running commentary on this one.

I don't want clever conversation - "well, I do"

Don't change the colour of your hair - "I'll do what I want with MY hair, thank you very much"

etc.

bruffin · 20/08/2015 10:48

You have to think of it in the context of the title "Dont go changing to try to please me
He is saying be yourself, i like uou as you are. He isnt saying dont do these things. Just dont do them to impress me

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 20/08/2015 10:52

I certainly dont have clever conversations with DH.
But I luffs him none the less.

onecurrantbun1 · 20/08/2015 10:55

I think he means "clever" in the way my gran, and PP's mums, mean it: pretentious, show-off, word twisting etc.

He does say "I just want someone that I can talk to" - a relaxed partner he can have a chat with. 99% of me and DH's conversations are pretty banal but I find them fascinating, because they're about him / me / the kids, our little sphere. That's what the verse means to me.

Original poster
NoSOHisadealbreaker · 20/08/2015 11:00

Very perceptive currant, and bruffin ...and how ironic that this is turning into (what I call) a fascinating conversation. Sorry if you find it threatening BJ Grin

OP posts:
bruffin · 20/08/2015 11:07
Confused
BoyFromTheBigBadCity · 20/08/2015 14:16

I have always thought this, No.

bringthenoise · 20/08/2015 20:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bearsbeets · 20/08/2015 20:55

YANBU that bit annoys me

EachandEveryone · 21/08/2015 08:44

Piano Mans my favourite

DoreenLethal · 21/08/2015 08:46

I have detested this ridiculous song for around 30 years.

BestIsWest · 21/08/2015 08:52

I like Piano Man too.

I agree with zbruffin's interpretation of 'clever' too.

I think the lyrics of Always A Woman are quite bitter.

abbieanders · 21/08/2015 08:57

I'd be deeply offended if someone said they didn't want clever conversation so I'd do just fine as I am.

EachandEveryone · 21/08/2015 09:02

Tbh I love Dylan but Just Like a Woman makes me cringe.

Narp · 21/08/2015 09:03

I think it would have be fine, if on the video he'd done the "speech marks' double finger wiggle to denote 'clever' (i.e. pretentious), rather than clever.

We could all practise singing it out loud with the fingers. See if that ameliorates the annoyance

thehypocritesoaf · 21/08/2015 09:06

I love piano man but dh loathes it, he goes on that bj is a smug bastard, singing look at me you idiots...

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