A Thing About You (Live at The Forum, June 28, 1981)

Song Meaning

The narrator admits a persistent, almost involuntary fascination with someone, despite initial attempts to dismiss it. They confess, "I thought this might pass with time," and "I thought I was satisfied," suggesting a prior belief in their own emotional detachment or contentment. However, the repeated, emphatic declaration, "I got a thing about you," cuts through these rationalizations, revealing a powerful, undeniable pull. The core tension lies between the narrator's conscious attempts at self-assurance and the subconscious grip this person holds. The lyrics contrast the fleeting nature of spoken affections – "Words of love that disappear" – with the enduring, almost mystical hold the subject has. This person exerts "strange control," a force so potent it "hypnotizes," highlighting the irrationality of the narrator's feelings. The true craft here is in the simple, insistent repetition of the central phrase, "I got a thing about you." It’s not a grand declaration of love, but a raw, almost bewildered acknowledgment of an inexplicable connection. The phrase itself is understated, yet its constant return, especially after lines about doubt or attempted satisfaction, amplifies its significance. The phrase "It don't matter what you say / It don't matter what you do" further underscores the passive, almost fated nature of this "thing." This lyrical approach works because it captures the disorienting feeling of being unexpectedly captivated. It bypasses complex metaphors for a direct, almost conversational confession of being under someone's spell. The raw honesty of admitting a lack of control, framed by the simple, repeated phrase, makes the narrator's internal struggle feel immediate and relatable, even without knowing the specifics of their situation.