Love makes us happy. Unrequited love makes us babbling overzealous fools. Its never more obvious than in the rhythm and blues songs of old. Songs of literal begging for forgiveness. Songs in which the lead singer promises to do better. Pleads for another chance. There's something about those songs that really clicks with us as a whole. Otherwise, such music would long have been retired to the LP shelves in antique stores. As it is, the music moves as much as it did in its relative hey day, because there's something about a grown man begging, pleading, crying out for just a moment of some wronged young woman's attention. I give you exhibits A and B. A is lyrics, lyrics from a powerful song. The man? Dumped. His methodology? He's so pathetic he doesn't even bother to sing a good deal of the song. The end result? Good music. Here's the lyrics. Courtesy, of course, of lyricsondemand.com

Have You Seen Her?

One month ago today
I was happy as a lark
But now I go for walks
To the movies - maybe to the park

And have a seat on the same old bench
To watch the children play (huh)
You know, tomorrow is their future
But to me, just another day

They all gather around me
They seem to know my name
We laugh, tell a few jokes
But it still doesnt ease my pain

I know I cant hide from a memory
Though day after day Ive tried
I keep sayin shell be back
But today again I lied

Verse 1:

Oh, I see her face everywhere I go
On the street, and even at the picture show
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?

Verse 2:

Oh, I hear her voice as the cold winds blow
In the sweet music on my radio
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?

Bridge:

Why, oh, why
Did she have to leave and go away [2: oh, yeah]
Oh-oh-oh, Ive been used to havin someone to lean on
And Im lost
Baby, Im lost (Oh)

[Repeat verse w/wordless vocal first two lines (2X)]

Verse 3:

Oh, she left her kiss upon my lips
But left that break within my heart
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?

Verse 4:

Oh, I see her hand reaching out to me
Only she can set me free
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?

[Repeat bridge]

[Repeat verse w/wordless vocal first 2 lines (4X)]

(spoken over 2nd and 3rd repeats):

As another day comes to an end
Im lookin for a letter or somethin
Anything that she would send
With all the people I know
Im still a lonely man
You know, its funny
I thought I had her in the palm of my hand

Coda [repeat to fade]:

Have you seen her
Tell me, have you seen her (tell me, have you seen her?)

And of course, Exhibit B. I give you, the Temptations. Masters of their craft, they had two lead singers. One was a romancer, the other was a begger. Eddie Kendricks and Dennis Ruffin respectively. Eddie promised and delivered the world, while David, David just promised not to mess up again. This song is David, asking just to hear her say she forgives him. Enjoy.
All I Need - The Temptations

My mood?

You know, I really don't know. . .