If You Won't Be With Me, You Won't Be With ANYbody: The 452nd Greatest Song of All Time

 

I've never heard anyone say a negative word about any of Sam Cooke's songs. And rightly so! The mixture of early 60's innocence and smooth, sweet vocals makes a crowd-pleasing combo.

But there's one song of his, "Cupid", that we really should take a closer look at.

On the surface, sure, it seems like a teenager secretly longing to be noticed by a girl he is smitten with:

Now, I don't mean to bother you

But I'm in distress

There's danger of me losing all of my happiness

For I love a girl who doesn't know I exist

And this you can fix

So, Cupid, draw back your bow

And let your arrow go

Straight to my lover's heart for me, nobody but me

Cupid, please hear my cry

And let your arrow fly

Straight to my lover's heart for me

This is clearly a case of homicidal stalking.

She's totally ignoring me

This will not go on

If this girl doesn't come around and admit

How she belongs to me, NOBODY but ME

I'mma hire a hitman

And make it look like a bow-hunting accident

Early 60's innocence, my foot.