I think that’s one possible interpretation, consistent with the lyrics of the song but not required by them.
To Rick Springfield’s credit, he’s at least looking inward and wondering what’s wrong with him that he can’t find a woman like that. Joe Jackson is wondering what the woman’s malfunction is for picking those dudes instead of him.
(within the context of the song; I’m not seriously implying anything)
For those who haven’t seen it, I’ve loved the Jimmy Kimmel sketch on the making of “Jessie’s Girl.”
Hey now, that’s a different song for a different thread, because…
“you I wish that I had Jessie’s Car
Jessie’s Car
Why can’t find an auto like that?
Like Jessie’s Car”
Seriously, you have never had a painful crush on a friend’s girlfriend\boyfriend?
I have never, but I can imagine it can be a very painful thing.
Where can I find a woman like that? I’ve thought about this line.
Does she have a sister? Friends?
Birds of a feather, as they say. Network through her. She might be able to set you up.
If I had, I would identify her by her name. I wouldn’t be calling her Jessie’s girl or Hank’s wife. And he’s not even sure if he wants whats-her-name or a girl like her.
This isn’t a guy who’s fallen for his dream girl. This is an incel who’s upset that his buddy has a girlfriend and he doesn’t.
Damned back stabbers!
Nah. If he was an incel, he’d be insulting her and saying it’s because of feminism that he can’t get laid.
I think this is definitely a valid interpretation. I wouldn’t paint him as a villain either, but he’s not thinking in a very healthy way about any of this. It wouldn’t take much for him to go one step too far and it would turn really bad.
I’ve been funny, I’ve been cool with the lines.
Ain’t that the way love’s supposed to be?
Hoo boy, dude. That isn’t love at all. You got some growing up to do.
I wouldn’t call him a villain, unless he tries to pull some incel shit, or tries to hit on her.
But he’s no hero either.
Yeah, in the end he’s just an average guy who lusts after a woman he doesn’t know. It’s just a coincidence that he already knows her current boyfriend, and it adds to the drama of the situation. I can’t say whether he’s a villain or hero because we only have the context of a short pop song.
I’ll add: That song has a really odd structure for a pop song of that era. It’s really kind of a master work in that respect, and I’d wager Mr. Springfield spent more time on that than the lyrics.
Yeah, I can see someone who falls for the toxic incel mindset starting out with this situation and these feelings, and maybe someone who’s actually being a total creep identifying with the speaker in the song. But I just don’t see anything within the four corners of the lyrics to suggest anything more than a young guy struggling with the triple whammy of 1) I want girls but they don’t want me, 2) my best friend has a girl and I’m envious and feeling a little left behind socially, and 3) this particular girl is really attractive and I have a crush on her, and I have to see her all the time because she’s dating my friend, but all I can do is sit here and eat my heart out. It’s kinda refreshing that he doesn’t claim to be in love with her when he doesn’t know her at all, as the speakers so often do in pop songs. I also picture the speaker being about sixteen years old; I would view these sentiments much differently coming from someone old enough to rent a car.
And when he does get a girlfriend, he tells her, “Don’t talk to strangers.”
Because they all need the human touch!
I agree it has a more elaborate structure than pop songs in general. But I would dissent on the idea that this was rare for the era. The 80’s had its share of 3-chord bubblegum, but it was really common for songs to have elaborate chord/melodic structures. At least in the first part of the 80’s.
Well, he spelled Jesse wrong. Jessie is a girl’s name, Jesse, a guy’s name. If the guy’s name really was Jessie, that would be as bad as being a guy named Frances.
I’d say most of the time you’d be correct, but exceptions abound.
I mean I wouldn’t tell this guy that he has a girl’s name ;).
I think that’s a bit too far. I could see this person becoming an Incel, but I don’t think they’re quite there, yet. He doesn’t present her as owing him anything, and doesn’t hate Jessie for being a “Chad.”
I remember having feelings like this early on in puberty. The objectification was an age thing, combined with what I’d seen in the media.
It didn’t last long, though, as soon as I started having actual crushes, rather than just being jealous of guys with girlfriends. I’d say the changeover happened at most age 13.5.
That’s what’s holding me back in calling the guy a creep: how old is the singer supposed to be in this? I mean, he thinks “love” is being funny and saying the right “lines.” He’s rather naive.