Prompt: "A cold or empty or bitter song that represents something that you lost or some feeling that you've been searching for and could never seem to find"
Selected by Brianna
"Jim Song"
Dr. Dog
Abandoned Mansion, 2016
Whenever I listen to this song, I walk away feeling selfish. Like the man at the center of Carly Simon's hit: am I really so vain to think this song is about me?
Of course, this song by Dr. Dog was not written about me. While my admiration for the band runs deep, I never dated any of them or broke their hearts like the woman described in the song seemed to do. But I did once date a guy for five years, think big big about what felt like a certain future with him, only to break up and move on soon after.
As the person who lived through these events, I know that what happened was what was right for me and my happiness, and I have zero regrets. We had a wonderful relationship with a whole lotta love. But that eventually felt better as platonic than romantic. No drama, no hate, no wrongdoing on anyone's part. But every once in a while, when I listen to this song, my mind drifts to what it felt like on his side; is his story and experience like Jim's? We ended on good terms, but I guess there could have been more to it in his eyes. My moving-on with Shane six months post breakup could seem fast without the context of our lifelong friendship.
So there I am, whistling along to the harmonica solo, thinking to myself: Am I this girl? Is that how he sees me now? And then I remember he moved on ages ago as well. That we're all adults now living independently happy lives, and I couldn't possibly be so vain to think I'm some character in his song.
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