Song Lyric Sunday: “Think It Over”

Helen Vahdahti’s Song Lyric Sunday prompt this week is “think.” Naturally my first thought is The Cars, which creates a dilemma. Do I go with “You Might Think,” winner of MTV’s inaugural Video of the Year Award in 1984, beating out (incredibly) Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video? This is, after all, Song Lyric Sunday, and “You Might Think” is chock-full of Ric Ocasek’s more-pop-y-than-usual lyrics. Or do I go with the lesser-known “Think It Over?” Ocasek’s simple lyrics aren’t his best, but the music more than compensates, in my opinion.  There’s an understated yet driving mix of live instruments combined with original band-programmed synth. Then there’s Benjamin Orr’s Elvis-inflected vocals.

For me, part of the fun of Song Lyric Sunday is discovering either new singers, bands, and/or songwriters or deeper cuts from musicians I’m already familiar with. I hope you’ll enjoy discovering one of my favorite songs from The Cars “Shake It Up” album.

“Think It Over”
Every time I see you I got to jump and shout
I haven’t got a clue what it’s all about
Ooh I never had a dream that looked so much like you
I’ll do anything that you want me to

(Think it over, think it over)
There’s nothin’ you can do to make me wanna stop
(Think it over, think it over)
Ooh every time you run around it makes me want to pop

What’s it gonna take to make you change your line?
What’s it gonna take to get your valentine?
How can I be sure that you’re the one for me?
I only know that you wanted to be free

(Think it over, think it over)
There’s nothin’ you can do to make me wanna stop
(Think it over, think it over)
Every time you run around it makes me want to pop
Nothin’ you can do to make me wanna stop

Every time you run around makes me want to pop
Nothin’ you can do to make me wanna stop
Think it over
Pop…
Pop

Every time I see you I got to jump and shout
I haven’t got a clue what it’s all about
I never had a dream that looked so much like you
Well I’ll do anything that you want me to

(Think it over, think it over)
There’s nothin’ you can do to make me wanna stop
(Think it over, think it over)
Every time you run around it makes me want to pop
(Think it over, think it over)

Well nothin’ you can do to make me wanna stop
(Think it over, think it over)
E-every time you run around it makes me want to pop
There’s nothin’ you can do to make me wanna stop
Every time you run around it makes me want to pop
There’s nothin’ you can do to make me wanna stop
Think it over
Yeah

(Think it over)
(Think it over)
(Think it over)
Think it over
(Think it over)
Think it over
(Think it over)
(Think it over)
Think it over
(Think it over)
(Think it over)

Nothin’ you can do
Nothin’ you can do
(Think it over)
Nothin’ you can do
Nothin’ you can do
(Think it over)
Nothin’ you can do
Nothin’ you can do
(Think it over)
You gotta think it over

Nothin’ you can do
Nothin’ you can do
(Think it over)
Nothin’ you can do
Think it over
Nothin’ you can do
(Think it over)
Nothin’ you can do
Nothin’ you can do
(Think it over)
Nothin’ you can do but think it over

Nothin’ you can do
Nothin’ you can do
(Think it over)
Nothin’ you can do
Nothin’ you can do
(Think it over)
Nothin’ you can do, nothin’ you can do
Nothin’ you can do, nothin’ you can do
But think it over
(Think it over)
Nothin’ you can do
Nothin’ you can do