Plague Journal, Laughing

December 27, 2020 Jerry King Comments 0 Comment

I lived in Japan when this song was released in 1969. A Canadian band, The Guess Who performed the tune, Laughing, which became the second of their three gold records. The lyrics are simple and brutal. Rare is the love song that is not a sad song. The patience, courage, and luck demanded by a long term, durable relationship between two humans is beyond calculation. How much effort and good fortune does it take to see another as they really are?

Why do I like Rock n’ Roll, really like the music? Rock n’ Roll reminds me of how awesome it is to be human, that I can be “forever young” at heart. (When listening to this one I feel the tears come.)

Enjoy!

Laughing

Lyrics by Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman

I should laugh, but I cry
Because your love has passed me by
You took me by surprise
You didn’t realize but I was waiting

Time goes slowly, but carries on
And now the best years have come and gone
You took me by surprise
I didn’t realize that you were laughing

Laughing, ’cause you’re doin’ it to me
Laughing, it ain’t the way it should be
You took away everything I had
You put the hurt on me

I go alone now, calling your name
After losing at the game
You took me by surprise
I didn’t realize that you were laughing

Time goes slowly, but carries on
And now the best years
The best years have come and gone
You took me by surprise
I didn’t realize that you were laughing

Laughing, ’cause you’re doin’ it to me
Laughing, it ain’t the way it should be
You took away everything I had
You put the hurt on me

Laughing, ha ha ha ha ha ha
Laughing, ha ha ha ha ha ha
Laughing, what, you laughing at me?
Laughing, what, you laughing at me?

Laughing, oh, what you do on the weekend?
Laughing, I wanna look when you’re laughing
Laughing, I wanna look when you’re laughing
Laughing