I'm Not In Love

[MrScorpio]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4zJBlgdwdM

[pacalo]

1. I love this song. I've tried to explain my interpretation of it to my husband

but he doesn't get it.

The guy is in denial after a breakup. He won't take down the picture of his girl, not because it actually "hides a nasty stain on the wall", but because he can't bear to get rid of it. He still loves her.

The girl whispering in the background, "Big boys don't cry", is symbolic of his girlfriend being the one who has the emotional upperhand.

It's a brilliantly-written song.

/on edit, I was referring to the 10cc version

[Arugula Latte]

2. He doesn't get it?

I thought the lyrics were pretty clear that the guy is obviously still in love but trying to deny it:

I'm not in love, so don't forget it
It's just a silly phase I'm going through
And just because I call you up
Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made
I'm not in love, no-no
(It's because...)

I like to see you, but then again
That doesn't mean you mean that much to me
So if I call you, don't make a fuss
Don't tell your friends about the two of us
I'm not in love, no-no
(It's because...)

(Be quiet, big boys don't cry)

I keep your picture upon the wall
It hides a nasty stain that's lyin' there
So don't you ask me to give it back
I know you know it doesn't mean that much to me
I'm not in love, no-no
(It's because...)

Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me
Ooh, you'll wait a long time

Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me
Ooh, you'll wait a long time

I'm not in love, so don't forget it
It's just a silly phase I'm going through
And just because I call you up
Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made, ooh

I'm not in love, I'm not in love...

[pacalo]

4. Looking between the lines isn't his strong suit.

He's a musician who cares only about the instrumental aspects of songs. He's not a writer.

[velvet]

3. great song

I've never thought of it as a post-breakup song. I thought it was about not getting together in the first place.

Maybe he's a tease, he draws them in and reels them out again. Or he's in love (he doth protest so) but he keeps the other person at arm's length, skeered of commitment, or intimacy or whatever. Or he only wants a FWB. Or maybe he's just a confused kid who doesn't know what he wants.

Great song, I love to listen to it when it comes my way.

[pacalo]

5. When this song came out, my first impression was the same as yours.

I was on the shy side, introverted at that point in my life, while dating a rambunctiously witty, gregarious guy who took me for granted. He was a tease, so whenever I heard the song back then I associated it with him.