Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson: Because of You.
There are a plethora of songs out there in today’s music business that all sing about the same subjects: love, break ups, sex, drugs, money, life etc. all in their own unique fashion do they sing about said subjects. But how often is it that you find a song with lyrics that you can, honestly, say you relate too whole heartedly? I have found one of those songs, Because of You by Kelly Clarkson (the newest version is a duet with Reba McEntire). I heard the duet version (I’ve known the original song for awhile) of this song a few weeks back in the car with my mom; she listens to country music on a regular basis where as I tend to listen to popular music (the music you hear on MTV) over country. Then I saw the music video for the song on Yahoo! just a few minutes ago and after sitting here, listening to the lyrics and then looking them up I have to say that I can relate to the song more so than a lot of the music I listen too.
If you watch the original music video, you will understand the meaning behind the lyrics; the song is talking about Clarkson’s personal childhood and how because of the relationship her parents had she is afraid for herself. I have to say I can relate to this very much. My dad and mom have been divorced for seven years now, prior to their divorce they argued but I never recall my dad ever being physical with my mom…it wasn’t until my dad married my step-mom that I saw the rage come out in him and it was a night of sleeping on the couch at their house that I first witnessed my dad and step-mom getting into a physical fight. I have come to realize that over the years as I’ve matured and ventured into my own relationships with men that I have my own personal issues with trust (this steaming from my dad cheating on my mom) because of how my dad has treated not only my mom but my step-mother. I also have put up my own boundaries and walls when it comes to relationships because of how my mom has reacted to such situations; one learns by example and experience.
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of the experiences I have been through with my own family and my parents, I have to say that I relate completely to the above lyrics. After listening to the song on repeat a few times in the last hour, I realize how much I have tried to protect myself against the hurt/pain that my dad put my mom through and not allowing it to happen to me. Only in time have I realized that no matter what guy I am with that they aren’t my father and just because he acted and is a certain way towards my mom and step-mom does not mean my boyfriend will be same. But by the same token, I can only protect myself against what I have experienced and like I said, you learn by example and through experience; if you go through a negative experience, you’re going to try your damndest to make sure it doesn’t happen again or to you personally and I have done just that.
While, I have become more open about certain issues and feelings in the past few months of being with Alan, it has taken a lot for me to let him in on some of those things. Even though, I don’t believe he’d ever treat me in a wrongful manner I can only be cautious but I can only be cautious for so long and I don’t plan to be cautious forever. I have talked to him about the many things that I am scared of when it comes to my relationship with him but relationships in general, most of which stems from my parents relationship and he understands which only makes it easier to deal with. I have yet to be in a really bad abusive relationship whether it be emotional or physical and I hope I never have to be, whether it be with my boyfriend or a friend or anyone…but like most I have had my share of bad seeds and when I look back I realize that I should have left long before some of the issues that did arise came up but I stayed and faked being happy, it wasn’t until my last relationship (the guy I dated before Alan) did I realize that the hurt, pain and unhappiness another person causes you is not worth sticking around for because if that person truly loved you, cared about you and wanted to be with you they would have absolutely no reason to treat you like dirt. I am glad, even if it may have taken six months of a not so great relationship, to realize what I did because it only has allowed me to see that I am worth more than the trash someone feeds me and the bullshit that someone can put me through!
Listen to the song:
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Watch the Clarkson feat McEntire video here.
Read the full lyrics here.
Tags: Alan, Dad, Divorce, Family, Kelly Clarkson, Music, Reba McEntire
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