I try to say I love you/ 
But the words get in the way.

Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine were soft rock staples in the 1980s. “Words Get in the Way” was their one classic. Estefan imagines talking to her ex.  He is seeing someone new. She still feels deeply about him.

She remembers his quirks: his moodiness that he sometimes tries to hide and knows she knows him better than the new girl. She has so much to say to him. She knows she feels more love for him than the new woman. If only she can get the words out.

In the second part of Gloria Estefan’s ”Words Get in the Way” we find out part of her hesitancy might because she knows she is not right for him and “it’s time to set you free.” Maybe she was wrong, and she doesn’t know him as well as she thought. In the end she doesn’t say anything.

“Words Get in the Way“ is a beautiful song that many can relate to. Estefan’s voice is amazing and she sings the song in an understated way: a lot of the divas during this time period (and since) would go on crazy runs just to show off their vocal prowess. Estefan keeps it simple and delivers a classic. The percussion should be pointed out. Estefan’s songs are always strong on percussion and this song is no different. It helps create her signature Latin American sound.

Words Get in the Way Lyrics

I realize you’re seeing someone new
But I don’t believe she knows you like I do
Your temperamental moody side
The one you always try to hide from me

But I know when you’ve got something on your mind
You’ve been trying to tell me for the longest time
But before you break my heart in two
There’s something I’ve been trying to say to you

But the words get in the way
There’s so much I want to say
But it’s locked deep inside and if you look in my eyes
We might fall in love again

I won’t even start to cry
Before we say goodbye
I’m trying to say I love you
But the words get in the way

Your heart has always been an open door
But baby I don’t even know you anymore
And despite the fact it’s hurting me
I know the time has come to set you free

But the words get in the way
There’s so much I want to say
But it’s locked deep inside and if you look in my eyes
We might fall in love again

I won’t even start to cry
Before we say goodbye
I’m trying to say I love you
But the words get in the way

I’m trying to say I love you
But the words get in the way

Songwriters: Gloria M. Estefan

We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor.

I am all for any song about a fandango. Let’s walk through the lyrics of Procol Harem’s “Whiter Shade of Pale” because they are a bit obfuscated, making it difficult to cull the meaning. But the story is fairly simple. A guy (the miller) is hitting on a girl. He tells her a story about a time when he was partying at a club.

He was partying hard. He might have said too much to this beautiful fair-skinned girl, and the narrator notices she gets a bit freaked out by his tale. He notices her turn pale at his tale and ask, “what’s wrong”? She says nothing. But he is discouraged because he thinks he might have blown his chance to score.

There are other verses that appear on other versions that may change the meaning, but I have not considered those here. Most of the fun of the song is in the lyrics but the sound from the Hammond organ is instrumental and influential. The organ is such a key part of this song. I wonder what a cover of this song would sound like without it. Could it be done, or would the song lose its essence?

Whiter Shade Of Pale Lyrics

We skipped the light fandango,
Turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor.
I was feeling kinda seasick,
But the crowd called out for more.
The room was humming harder,
As the ceiling flew away.
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray.

And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale,
That her face, at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale!

She said, “There is no reason,
And the truth is plain to see.”
But I wandered through my playing cards,
And would not let her be.
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast.
And although my eyes were open,
They might have just as well’ve been closed.

And so it was that later,
As the miller told his tale.
That her face, at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale.

And so it was that later…

Songwriters: Gary Brooker / Keith Reid / Matthew Fisher

It’s only words, and words are all I have
To take your heart away.

“Words” is a beautiful, pre-disco Bee Gees love song about the inability to express words of love to a significant other. We saw a similar them in Jim Croce’s Have to Say I love You.  People who believe in the power of words are shocked when they hear another person say “those are only words”.

Here the Bee Gees are saying “look, words are all I have, they are everything to me.” I have always appreciated the sentiment of this song and for standing up for all of those whose love language is words of affection. This is a great song about that.

For those of you only familiar with the Bee Gees because of Staying Alive, this is what the majority of their songs sound like. They had a long and varied career, so they tried a little of everything, but this song is very representative of their work. Not too heavy in instrumentation, usually written on guitar with Barry singing lead and the brothers harmonizing. They were great harmonizers and had a very unique sound.

Words Lyrics

Smile an everlasting smile,
A smile can bring you near to me.
Don’t ever let me find you down,
‘Cause that would bring a tear to me.

This world has lost its glory,
Let’s start a brand new story now, my love.
Right now, there’ll be no other time,
And I can show you how, my love.

Talk in everlasting words,
And dedicate them all to me.
And I will give you all my life,
I’m here if you should call to me.

You think that I don’t even mean
A single word I say.
It’s only words and words are all I have,
To take your heart away.

You think that I don’t even mean
A single word I say,
It’s only words and words are all I have,
To take your heart away.

It’s only words and words are all I have,
To take your heart away.
It’s only words and words are all I have,
To take your heart away.

Songwriters: Barry Gibb / Robin Gibb / Maurice Gibb