I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind of Thing [7" Version]

Song Meaning

This track captures a sudden, almost bewildering shift in behavior, driven by a powerful new connection. The narrator finds themselves compelled to act in ways that are entirely out of character, describing it as "most unusual." This isn't a gradual change; it's an immediate embrace of joy and spontaneity, marked by a desire to "feel like dancing" and "singing like lovers sing." The repeated refrain, "I wouldn't normally do this kind of thing," acts as both an admission and a defiant declaration of this new, uncharacteristic state of being. The core tension lies in the contrast between the narrator's established self and this emergent, uninhibited persona. They acknowledge that others might perceive this transformation as irrational, even calling it "crazy" or "a phase." Yet, the lyrics suggest a profound internal certainty, a feeling of running "a race I know I'm gonna win." This newfound confidence, sparked by meeting someone, overrides any concern for external judgment or the predictability of their past actions. The most striking craft element is the sheer, unadorned repetition of the central phrase, amplified by the "Ta-ra-ra-ra" interjections that lend a almost childlike, uninhibited musicality. This isn't subtle; it's a direct, almost blunt assertion of the unusual nature of their feelings and actions. The climax, with the desire to "take all my clothes off / Dancing to the Rite of Spring," pushes this uncharacteristic behavior to an extreme, suggesting a complete shedding of inhibitions and a full immersion in this overwhelming new experience. Ultimately, the lyrics resonate because they articulate that exhilarating, disorienting moment when a new love or experience shatters one's own perceived limitations. The effectiveness comes from the narrator's earnest, almost surprised recounting of their own transformation, making the uncharacteristic feel both deeply personal and universally recognizable as the potent force of sudden infatuation or inspiration.