We Don't Have to...

Take our clothes off to have a good time?  Correct!  I heard this song while shopping at BJ's and just had to write about it this evening.  It seemed to go on forever, and everytime I hear it, it just seems cheesier and cheesier to me.  I do remember when it came out in 1986.  I was pretty young -- had just been playing clarinet for about 2 years.  All of my 6th grade buddies and I giggled over it.  Of course, we really had no idea what the song was about.  To this day, I am still baffled by "cherry wine," so I did a bit of research.  Seems that many of the cherries for this type of drink are grown in Michigan, and Jermaine Stewart was from Chicago -- so it kind of makes sense.  I lived in Elkhart, IN for a long time, and I know that Chicago, Michigan, and Northern Indiana are all kind of in the same area -- so I guess they share certain regional foods and beverages.

Anyway, back to the song.  I had no idea that Jermaine Stewart died at such a young age.  Yes, he passed away in 1997 at the age of 39.  Very sad.  I saw a couple of references to Jermaine as a "one hit wonder" because of this song, which is probably true.  I can't think of any other songs by Jermaine.  This one will forever live in the minds of those of us who grew up in the 80s, and those who happen to be shopping in BJs or a similar store will get hit with this tune from time to time.  The message for the song is clear -- well, sort of.  I get it.  People can have fun without "going too far too fast," but again, I am stuck on the cherry wine.  "We can dance and party all night...and drink some cherry wine...uh huh..."  Well, okay.  Dancing seems to be pretty important in this song.  "Take my hand, let's hit the floor...shake our bodies to the music, maybe then you'll score..."  Hmmm.... maybe a bit of a mixed message.  Guess this girl better show some class and start groovin' on the dance floor before she has a chance at a romantic relationship here.  Wait -- I know there is a girl in the video, but maybe the song isn't about a girl now that I think about it...  Well, the song is fun, cheesy, and silly all at the same time.  My favorite parts: (1) trumpet lines, and (2) "na na na-na na-na...na na..."  Hope you enjoy this one!