Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy/ She'll beat you if she's able/ You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
"Desperado" by The Eagles wasn't just any song to me growing up; it was THE song. You know, the kind you play on loop until the lyrics are practically engraved in your brain. Even as I got older, it's stayed as one of my go-tos, holding a special place in my heart. I'm hoping by writing this, we can dig a little deeper into what this song's really about and how it might connect to us personally.
Now, think about it like this: Imagine you're 11 and in the foster system, craving love and a place to call home. "Desperado" kind of mirrors that longing, showing us how easy it is to chase after the wrong things, thinking they'll fill that void. Instead of going after wealth or temporary highs (which the song kind of equates to chasing the "queen of diamonds"), it's really about finding something real and lasting—like the "queen of hearts," who symbolizes true, meaningful connections over superficial ones. But it's tricky, right? Especially if, like in my case, you've grown up equating family with wealth and possessions. It's tough to separate what's genuine from what's just glitter on the surface.
The song doesn't just stop at calling out our misplaced desires. It also gets into how tough it can be to navigate life, especially when you're feeling lost, unworthy, or longing for a family. That line about letting somebody love you before it's too late? It hits hard. It's like a wake-up call, reminding us to open up to real love and connection, even when we're scared or carrying baggage from our past.
For someone in the foster system, or really anyone feeling a bit lost, "Desperado" serves as a bittersweet reminder of the importance of letting your guard down and connecting with others. It's about not letting fear or past disappointments stop you from forming genuine bonds. The song beautifully captures the essence of that journey, pushing the message that real, heartfelt connections are worth the risk, even in the face of uncertainty or the challenge of opening up.
Desperado
Why don't you come to your senses?
You've been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
But I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
She'll beat you if she's able
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Now it seems to me some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get
Desperado
Oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger
They're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh, freedom
Well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walkin' through this world all alone
Don't your feet get cold in the wintertime?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the nighttime from the day
You're losing all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?
Desperado
Why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences
Open the gate
It may be rainin'
But there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you
(Let somebody love you)
You better let somebody love you
Before it's too late
Songwriters: Glenn Lewis Frey, Donald Hugh Henley. For non-commercial use only.
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