Song Meaning
B.J. Thomas's rendition of "It's Not Unusual" (though associated with Tom Jones) is less about celebrating the universality of love and more about dissecting the raw, almost comical, pain of unrequited affection. The lyrics analysis reveals a character caught in the throes of desperate longing, trying to rationalize his feelings while simultaneously acknowledging their absurdity. The central paradox—it's 'not unusual' to experience love or even heartbreak, yet the singer feels uniquely devastated—captures the disorienting nature of infatuation. He is tormented by seeing his beloved with 'anyone,' his reaction a melodramatic 'I wanna die' that borders on self-parody. This hint of dark humor underscores the emotional immaturity at play.
The song’s power comes from its juxtaposition of normalcy and obsession. The phrase 'It happens every day' is repeated like a mantra, a feeble attempt to normalize the singer's intense feelings. He recognizes that love is a common experience, but he’s unable to accept that *his* love isn't reciprocated. There's a sense of entitlement, a wounded bewilderment expressed in the line, 'Why can't this crazy love be mine?' This isn't just about wanting love; it's about wanting *this* specific love, highlighting the possessive, almost irrational, nature of his desire.
Ultimately, "It's Not Unusual" exposes the gap between the idealized vision of love and the messy reality of human relationships. The singer's dramatic pronouncements ('such a crime,' 'I wanna die') reveal a fragile ego struggling to cope with rejection. While the song may sound like a lighthearted pop tune, a deeper lyrics analysis uncovers a poignant, if slightly pathetic, portrait of a man caught in the throes of unrequited love, desperately clinging to the hope that his feelings will somehow be returned, despite all evidence to the contrary. It's a simultaneous admission of universality and a desperate plea for individual exceptionalism in the realm of love.
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