The Message Behind the Music-September 24

Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen – Good Time

Inspiration Behind Good Time:

Back in 2012, Owl City wanted to create a song celebrating a pure, unapologetic joy and spontaneity. The lyrics promote living in the moment and embracing carefree happiness. Between life, work and trying to avoid going into debt, Good Time serves as a break from stress. While you will have to go back to reality, take breaks from time to time to recharge your heart, soul and mind.

Biblical Application:

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[c]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ Luke 10:27.

Exegesis of Good Time:

[Intro: Carly Rae Jepsen, Adam Young]
Mm-mm-mm
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
It’s always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
It’s always a good time

Setting a positive tone for this moment.

[Verse 1: Adam Young, Carly Rae Jepsen]
Woke up on the right side of the bed
What’s up with this Prince song inside my head?
Hands up if you’re down to get down tonight (Mm-mm-mm)
‘Cause it’s always a good time
Slept in all my clothes like I didn’t care
Hopped into a cab, take me anywhere
I’m in if you’re down to get down tonight
‘Cause it’s always a good time

Not feeling right after waking up. Perhaps referring to partying like it’s 1999. Despite the current mood, there is a resolve to go out dancing. Expecting to have a good time. Fell asleep fully dressed. Living spontaneously, going out without a set plan or schedule.

[Pre-Chorus: Carly Rae Jepsen, Adam YoungBoth]
Good morning and goodnight
I wake up at twilight
It’s gonna be alright
We don’t even have to try, it’s always a good time (Woo)

Staying out late and sleeping in. Preparing for another special night on the town.

[Chorus: Adam Young & Carly Rae Jepsen]
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, it’s always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
We don’t even have to try, it’s always a good time

The chorus starts as if on a dance floor. Speaking a good time into existence.

[Post-Chorus: Adam Young, Carly Rae Jepsen]
It’s always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh

This mindset became reality.

[Verse 2: Carly Rae Jepsen]
Freaked out, dropped my phone in the pool again
Checked out of my room, hit the ATM
Let’s hang out if you’re down to get down tonight
‘Cause it’s always a good time

An accident, likely due to alcohol. Living without a concern in this world. Living for the next party, night.

[Pre-Chorus: Adam Young, Carly Rae Jepsen, Both]
Good morning and goodnight
I wake up at twilight
It’s gonna be alright
We don’t even have to try, it’s always a good time (Woo)

This is the pattern for someone living for the nightlife.

[Chorus: Adam Young & Carly Rae Jepsen]
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, it’s always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
We don’t even have to try, it’s always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, it’s always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
We don’t even have to try, it’s always a good time

The Woah provides an image of someone having fun on the dancefloor. Not allowing their mind to become negative.

[Bridge: Adam Young, Carly Rae Jepsen, Minneapolis Youth Chorus]
Doesn’t matter when, it’s always a good time then
Doesn’t matter where, it’s always a good time there
Doesn’t matter when, it’s always a good time then
(It’s always a good time)

Whatever the location or night, they have the resolve to have fun.

[Chorus: Adam Young, Carly Rae Jepsen & Minneapolis Youth Chorus, Carly Rae Jepsen]
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, it’s always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
We don’t even have to try, it’s always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh (Doesn’t matter where)
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, it’s always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh (Doesn’t matter where)
We don’t even have to try, it’s always a good time

This mindset becomes a reality.

[Outro: Minneapolis Youth Chorus]
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, it’s always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh

Keeping up the energy on the dance floor.

Final Thoughts:

I lived for dancing in high school and college. While there wasn’t a great place to go dancing on campus, I often went to a nightclub in Pennsylvania. Beside the main dance floor, there were 3 additional levels to dance. This club which is no longer open was where I lived to dance. Now that I am too old to stay up late, I live for Karaoke as long as I can sing a few songs before 10.

by Jay Mankus

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