Donaldson had been composing and recording since 1964. He rocketed to popularity in 1971 with his winning entry in the annual Jamaican Festival Song Competition, "Cherry Oh Baby". He went on to win the festival again in in 1977, 1978, 1984 and 1993. The "Cherry Oh Baby" has been very popular, and has been covered more than thirty times, including covers by The Rolling Stones and UB40.
Funny How Love Can Be
Eric Donaldson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ERIC DONALDSON
Don't you play it on me now.
you should have tried to understand
Cuz we were in love
so much in love.
tell me, what should I do
about it
when you got to wait on your mummy
wait on your mum
to decide her mind for you
I want to make it up to you ooo oh
but how can I make it up to you?
and suddenly
ayaba yaba yayoo
You just pass with your nose in the air
passes me just as if you don't care
funny how love can be
funny funny funny how love can be
I want to make it up to you ooo oh
but how can I make it up to you?
and suddenly
You just pass with your nose in the air
passes me just as if you don't care
funny how love can be
funny how love can be
funny how love can be
funny how love can be
funny funny funny how love can be
oh yea. funny how love can be
funny how love can be
funny h-o-w l-o-v-e can be
(Repeat till fades out)
The lyrics of Eric Donaldson's "Funny How Love Can Be" convey the emotional struggle of a man who is deeply in love with a woman but is constantly rejected by her. He expresses his pain and frustration as he questions how can he make things right again. The opening line of the song, "Don't you play it on me now", emphasizes the man's fear of being blamed for the end of their relationship. He believes that his partner should have tried to understand their love despite the obstacles they faced.
The man's partner, on the other hand, seems to be indecisive and unable to make up her mind about their relationship. She is waiting for her mother's approval before committing to their love. The line "wait on your mummy to decide her mind for you" highlights her lack of independence and the man's frustration at having to wait for her.
In the end, the woman ignores the man, "passes me just as if you don't care." The repetition of "funny how love can be" in the chorus emphasizes how unpredictable and sometimes hurtful love can be. The man is left alone, wondering how he can make things right.
Overall, the song portrays the complexity of love and the emotional turmoil it can bring. It highlights the importance of communication and the dangers of allowing others to influence our decisions.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you play it on me now.
Do not blame me for our failed relationship.
you should have tried to understand
You should have made an effort to comprehend our love.
Cuz we were in love
Our love was real.
so much in love.
Our love was intense.
tell me, what should I do
Please give me advice on how to act.
about it
Regarding our relationship.
when you got to wait on your mummy
When you have to wait for your mother's decision.
wait on your mum
To patiently await your mother's verdict.
to decide her mind for you
To make up her mind for you.
I want to make it up to you ooo oh
I want to make amends for you.
but how can I make it up to you?
But I do not know how to make it up to you.
and suddenly
Suddenly.
ayaba yaba yayoo
Non-sensical lyrics, no meaning.
You just pass with your nose in the air
You ignore me, feeling superior.
passes me just as if you don't care
Passes me, showing a lack of concern.
funny how love can be
It is ironic how love can turn out.
funny funny funny how love can be
Reinforcing the idea of the ironic nature of love.
oh yea. funny how love can be
Affirming that love can be unpredictable.
funny how love can be
Love can take unusual turns.
funny how love can be
Repeating the message of the ironic nature of love.
funny how love can be
Love is unpredictable.
funny funny funny how love can be
Re-emphasizing the capricious nature of love.
funny h-o-w l-o-v-e can be
Spelling out the letters of 'how love can be' to suggest that love can take many forms.
Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ID Idio
Love this
@Maureen-wn7xw
Lovely message. Thinking of the departed good ones.
@davidquarcoo1497
Funny how his songs got me emotional when I was a kid.. There's something about his voice that connects to the soul...
@irenenjeri2993
Exactly...the voice
@ericmunene7521
true
@muhameddaudamansaray8905
Extraordinary voice... Forever sweet and soul-touching ❤
@henriatonfack4551
I liké raggae song through this unforgatable man since 1982
@simphiweyekiso2171
I'll always cherish the moment that my mom introduced me to eric donaldson's songs. Thank mom u gave legacy. Oh i love this track with all my heart, it truely hit the senses...
@abenayeboah9730
Who’s here in 2021 and still listening to this good music 🥰
@raybancojr4107
I am I love this song