She is known for her sense of humor, which is expressed in both her music and her onstage performances. Many of her songs alternate between emotional reflections on romance and outright comedy. Two of her more famous songs include "Sensitive New Age Guys" and "Bald Headed Men".
What Was I Thinking?
Christine Lavin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ran into the store, I said I need something black
Something formal, other than that I don't care
I made it to the theatre as the lights dimmed
The first act was brilliantly fun
When I caught my reflction during intermission
I thought What have I done
What was I thinking? What was I blind
When I bought this outfit I must have been out of my mind?
What was I thinking? Look at this dress
I'm taking up drinking, my life is a mess
My good friend said "I know you're gonna love him.
I've known him for a long long time.
And if I were not happily married myself
In a heartbeat, I would try to make him mine.
So I figured, I'll take my chances
I mean really what harm could it do
Makes you wonder 'bout your good friends and their motivations
When something like this happens to you"
What was she thinking? Who is this guy
Maybe I will choke on this porkchop and conveniently die
What was she thinking? Quick sharpen this knife
I'm thinking of drinking and I'm thinking of eding my life
Ache tu livre, aah what a dinner
Henery Bonjour, Kae lacksiman
Oh it was late, I had insomnia
The TV stair stepper started to look good
I thought to myself shuld I buy it
Then I heard Bruce Jennings voice say "yes you should"
And that's that master, and that bald headed man spray
And that victoria jackson makeup kit
Now I can barely get around my apartment
It's so full of this stupid stuff
What was I thinking? Look at this junk
I can't blame this on drinking
I have never, hardly, right now I'm not drunk
What was I thinking? When will this end?
What was I thinking? When will this end?
What was I thinking? This song has no end.
What was I thinking? Okay, that's the end.
The lyrics to Christine Lavin's "What Was I Thinking?" is a humorous reflection of the singer's impulsive decision-making that leads to regrettable choices. The song begins with the singer needing to find something to wear at the last minute, and ultimately choosing a formal black dress. It is during the intermission of a play when she catches her reflection and realizes how bad she looks - leading to the chorus "What was I thinking?" The second verse is about a friend setting her up with someone who the friend is interested in themselves, leading to distrust in her good friend. The last verse is about an infomercial that she fell for and now has cluttered her small apartment. The final chorus is a repeating of the initial line while the singer accepts her foolhardiness in all her decisions.
The song is a lighthearted take on how sometimes people make impulse decisions without giving it much thought, leading to silly or even regrettable outcomes. It is relatable as everyone has had instances when they look back at their decisions and wonder, "What was I thinking?" The song uses irony in the friend's setup and purchasing the home shopping network products, which adds to the humor. Additionally, the use of non-lexical vocables in the final verse adds to the comic effect.
Line by Line Meaning
It was a last minute invitation, I did not have a thing to wear
I received an unexpected invitation and did not have appropriate clothing to wear
I ran into the store, I said I need something black
I rushed to a store and requested black clothing
Something formal, other than that I don't care
I only cared about the formality of the clothing I needed
When I caught my reflction during intermission, I thought What have I done
At the break in the performance, I saw my reflection and regretted my clothing choice
What was I thinking? What was I blind
I am questioning my past decision making abilities
When I bought this outfit I must have been out of my mind?
I am wondering if I was mentally unprepared for the decision to purchase this outfit
What was I thinking? Look at this dress
I am unhappy with my dress and questioning my decision to wear it
I'm taking up drinking, my life is a mess
I am using alcohol to cope with my feelings of dissatisfaction and regret
My good friend said "I know you're gonna love him.
My friend told me about a man she thinks I will like
In a heartbeat, I would try to make him mine.
If she were not married, my friend would pursue this man herself
So I figured, I'll take my chances
I decided to take a risk and meet this man
Makes you wonder 'bout your good friends and their motivations
This situation made me question my friend's intentions and reasons for setting me up with this man
What was she thinking? Who is this guy
I am questioning my friend's judgement and the man's character
Maybe I will choke on this porkchop and conveniently die
I am suggesting a morbid solution to avoid the date
What was she thinking? Quick sharpen this knife
I am joking about self-harm to get out of the date
I'm thinking of drinking and I'm thinking of eding my life
I am using humor to mask my discomfort with the situation
Ache tu livre, aah what a dinner
I am describing a pleasant meal in another language
Henery Bonjour, Kae lacksiman
I am continuing to describe the meal in another language
Oh it was late, I had insomnia
I could not sleep and it was late at night
The TV stair stepper started to look good
I considered purchasing an exercise machine I saw on TV
I thought to myself shuld I buy it
I debated the purchase in my mind
Then I heard Bruce Jennings voice say "yes you should"
I imagined a salesperson encouraging me to make the purchase
And that's that master, and that bald headed man spray
I purchased more unnecessary items
And that victoria jackson makeup kit
One item I bought was a makeup kit
Now I can barely get around my apartment
My living space is cluttered with my impulsive purchases
It's so full of this stupid stuff
I regret buying all of these items that clutter my home
What was I thinking? Look at this junk
I am regretting the decision to buy unnecessary items
I can't blame this on drinking
My poor decision to buy these items was not influenced by alcohol
I have never, hardly, right now I'm not drunk
I am stating that I am not currently intoxicated
What was I thinking? When will this end?
I am hoping to stop my impulsive behavior and regretful decision making
What was I thinking? This song has no end.
I am acknowledging the endless cycle of my poor decision making
What was I thinking? Okay, that's the end.
I conclude the song by reiterating my regret and hoping to improve
Writer(s): Christine Lavin
Contributed by Caleb A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.