José Montserrate Feliciano García (born September 10, 1945 in Lares, Puerto… Read Full Bio ↴José Montserrate Feliciano García (born September 10, 1945 in Lares, Puerto Rico) is a singer and guitarist, who has been successful in both Spanish and English music. A victim of congenital glaucoma, he was left permanently blind at birth. He is most known for his Christmas song "Feliz Navidad", as well as his covers of "California Dreamin'" and "Light My Fire".

Ain't That Peculiar
José Feliciano Lyrics

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Honey you do me wrong but still I'm crazy about you
Stay away too long and I can't do without you
Every chance you get you seem to hurt me more and more
But each hurt makes my love stronger than before
I know flowers go through rain
But how can love go through pain

Ain't that peculiar

A peculiar-arity
Ain't that peculiar baby
Peculiar as can be

You tell me lies that should be obvious to me
I've been so much in love with you baby til I don't want to see
That things you do and say are designed to make me blue
It's a doggone shame my love for you makes all
Your lies seem true
But if the truth makes love last longer
Why do lies make my love stronger

Ain't that peculiar
Peculiar as can be
Ain't that peculiar baby
A peculiar-arity

I cried so much just like a child that's lost its home
Maybe baby you think these tears I cry are tears of joy
A child can cry so much until you do everything they say
But unlike a child my tears don't help me to get my way
I know love can last through years
But how can love last through tears

Now ain't that peculiar baby
A peculiar-arity
Ain't it peculiar baby
Peculiar as can be

Said I don't understand it baby
It's so strange sometimes

Overall Meaning

In José Feliciano's "Ain't That Peculiar," the singer addresses his tumultuous relationship with his romantic partner. Despite the fact that she hurts him consistently, he confesses that he still loves her deeply. Even though she tells him lies and purposely causes him pain, his feelings for her only get stronger with each hurt. He wonders how love could endure such hardship while comparing it to flowers that can survive rain but not pain. The singer is confused by his own feelings but knows that what he's feeling is peculiar.

The chorus repeats the word peculiar, emphasizing the strange and perplexing nature of the situation. The singer compares himself to a child who has lost its home and cries to get what they want. However, his tears don't hold that same power, making him feel helpless. He acknowledges that love can last for years, but wonders how it can survive through so many tears.

The song is a poignant reflection on the contradictory feelings that can accompany love. It demonstrates the confusing nature of a relationship in which one's partner causes both joy and pain, often at the same time. Overall, Feliciano's soulful performance and thoughtful lyrics make "Ain't That Peculiar" an enduring classic that speaks to the complexity of love.

Line by Line Meaning

Honey you do me wrong but still I'm crazy about you
Even though you mistreat me, I am still enamored with you.

Stay away too long and I can't do without you
If you are gone for too long, I feel like I cannot survive without you.

Every chance you get you seem to hurt me more and more
It feels like every opportunity you have, you take it to hurt me more and more.

But each hurt makes my love stronger than before
Your hurtful actions only make my love for you stronger each time.

I know flowers go through rain
I understand that flowers sometimes face difficulties like rain.

But how can love go through pain
I don't comprehend how love can survive through pain.

Ain't that peculiar
Isn't that odd.

A peculiar-arity
An unusual quality.

You tell me lies that should be obvious to me
You deceive me with lies that are so apparent that I should recognize them.

I've been so much in love with you baby til I don't want to see
I have been so deeply in love with you that I choose not to acknowledge your lies.

That things you do and say are designed to make me blue
I believe that you intentionally do and say things that make me unhappy.

It's a doggone shame my love for you makes all Your lies seem true
It is regrettable that my love for you causes me to believe in your lies.

But if the truth makes love last longer Why do lies make my love stronger
If honesty makes relationships last longer, why do falsehoods make my love grow stronger?

I cried so much just like a child that's lost its home
I have wept so much that I resemble a child who has lost its home.

Maybe baby you think these tears I cry are tears of joy
Perhaps you mistake my tears of sadness for tears of happiness.

A child can cry so much until you do everything they say
A child can cry so much that whoever is with them will do whatever they ask.

But unlike a child my tears don't help me to get my way
Contrary to a child, my tears are not a way to manipulate you.

I know love can last through years
I am aware that love can endure over time.

But how can love last through tears
But how can love survive through emotional pain and suffering?

Now ain't that peculiar baby
Now isn't that strange, my darling.

A peculiar-arity
An unusual quality.

Ain't it peculiar baby
Isn't it strange, my darling.

Peculiar as can be
Extraordinarily unusual.

Said I don't understand it baby It's so strange sometimes
I confess that I don't comprehend it, my love. It is so bizarre at times.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WARREN MOORE, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR., ROBERT ROGERS, MARVIN TARPLIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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