That I Would Be Good

I went to a writing group last Saturday, at which we began, getting our 'juices flowing', by attempting to write about a song. The song I cut short when I turned off the ignition in my car upon arrival was "That I would be good" by Alanis Morrissette, so feeling out of creative sorts I went with that one. I heard this song playing in a music store in a shopping centre once, stopped to listen, and later acquired the album. I wouldn't recommend that anyone buy this album, and fill their mind and subject their thoughts to such wailings. But I do like this song, even if only for the way she deliberately plays the flute badly at the end. Maybe it's a song for girls only, but it's about the longing to be good, despite committing such relationship fatalities as being clingy, gaining ten pounds and losing your youth.

That I Would Be Good

that I would be good even if I did nothing

that I would be good even if I got the thumbs down

that I would be good if I got and stayed sick

that I would be good even if I gained ten pounds

that I would be fine even if I went bankrupt

that I would be good if I lost my hair and my youth

that I would be great if I was no longer queen

that I would be grand if I was not all knowing

that I would be loved even when I numb myself

that I would be good even when I am overwhelmed

that I would be loved even when I was fuming

that I would be good even if I was clingy

that I would be good even if I lost sanity

that I would be good

whether with or without you

The last line always strikes me as curious. Up until then the song sounds like a different perspective on the marriage vows. But with or WITHOUT you? Is it a plea to be free of needing the approval and/or love of others to be "good"? I suppose it might be, but I don't know ... and I don't know that it's worth my time contemplating Alanis Morrissette either. I'm watching Little Women at the moment, which is all about pure and wholesome goodness and strength of character and moral courage. I can't be bothered with the introspections of Alanis Morrissette.