Foreigner – Urgent (Official Music Video)
Inspiration Behind Urgent:
Urgent was spawn from guitarist Mick Jones’s spontaneous musical ideas. The ideal for this song came during a time when Foreigner transitioned toward a more soulful, synth-driven sound. Frontman Lou Gramm portrays a situation where two people recognize their mutual immediate desire and physical attraction. This love at first sight scenario triggers a sense of urgency, to seize the moment or miss this opportunity.
Biblical Application:
The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” – Daniel 3:22-26.
Exegesis of Urgent:
[Verse 1]
You’re not shy, you get around
You wanna fly, don’t want your feet on the ground
You stay up, you won’t come down
You wanna live, you wanna move to the sound
An outgoing woman is on the dance floor. A man approaches knowing her reputation.
[Verse 2]
Got fire in your veins
Burnin’ hot, but you don’t feel the pain
Your desire is insane
You can’t stop until you do it again
A reference to a mutual attraction that is initially denied. However, this desire intensifies to the point you feel like you have to respond.
[Pre-Chorus]
But sometimes I wonder as I look in your eyes
Maybe you’re thinkin’ of some other guy
But I know, yes I know, how to treat you right
That’s why you call me in the middle of the night
There is hesitation, unsure that this feeling is mutual. Yet, receiving a call in the middle of the night suggests she has some interests in you.
[Chorus]
You say it’s urgent
So urgent, so oh-oh urgent
Just wait and see
How urgent my love can be
It’s urgent
Is she using this call as an excuse to get your attention? Questions are asked to ascertain what is really going on.
[Verse 3]
You play tricks on my mind
You’re everywhere but you’re so hard to find
You’re not warm or sentimental
You’re so extreme, you can be so temperamental
This woman is taking him on the same emotional roller coaster. I see you around all the time, but when I want to talk, you’re hard to find. This man is tired of her extreme behavior, wanting to know where their relationship stands.
[Pre-Chorus]
But I’m not lookin’ for a love that’ll last
I know what I need and I need it fast
Yeah, there’s one thing in common that we both share
That’s a need for each other anytime, anywhere
Sexual desires are being aroused, looking for a quick fix. Feeling alone likely triggered this feeling. Signs of an on again off again relationship.
Being alone triggers a sense of urgency that doesn’t arise when they are with other people.
Signs of co-dependency. the stronger the urge to be together, the greatest the urgency.
[Outro]
So urgent, emergency
Ooh-ooh (Ooh-ooh)
Ooh-ooh (Ooh-ooh)
Ooh-ooh (Ooh-ooh)
It’s urgent
This relationship has become dysfunctional as they treat each other like a drug. After hooking up, this urgent desire is satisfied.
Final Thoughts:
I had a few relationships in college that mirror the lyrics of Urgent. The first relationship ended as my girlfriend never fully got over her ex. Another relationship was with a girl from high school where we met up a few times when we were both lonely. Finally, there was one relationship with a serious girlfriend who would call me out of the blue. All of these relationships were emotionally draining, especially the last one. However, I have learned that whenever a relationship doesn’t have a clear vision or purpose, they will fall apart over time. Maintaining open communication is crucial to building long-lasting relationships.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 