Wednesday September 2, 2020 “If You Could Only See” Tonic
Mother knows best.
This tune was always background music for me, I heard it but never really listened to it. There are countless other songs like that but for whatever reason when it came on the radio recently I actually listened to the song and, well, it confused me.
Tonic was formed by childhood friends lead singer Emerson Hart and guitarist Jeff Russo who both collaborated on most of the songwriting. This particular song however was a solo venture by Hart and would become a top twenty tune in 1997.
Now songs, like stories need to be told from a perspective; the jilted lover, the amorous boyfriend, the girl next door, the teenager in love, the guy on the corner in Winslow AZ, even just a narrator but there is always a perspective. So in this song who exactly needs to “see the way she loves me”? Sorry, when isolated like that it feels a bit more graphic than intended.
According to Hart this song was inspired by a contentious phone call he had with his mother when he told her he was getting married and she was a lot more than just unsupportive with him. He takes aim at his mother's “manipulations'' and ‘lies’ during the strident verses, then slowing it down to present his side of the story in the chorus. Knowing all that will hopefully make your next listening experience more complete, if not it’s still nice background music.
Did Hart eventually marry the love of his life...nope, they broke up shortly after this song was written.
Stay safe and well...and mom usually is right (dad sometimes too).
The video? Yeah I don't get it either.
