But Not Tonight

Album: Modern Girls soundtrack (1986)
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Songfacts®:

  • This was the theme song to the 1986 romantic comedy Modern Girls, which starred Cynthia Gibb, Daphne Zuniga, and Virginia Madesen. The lyrics celebrate the simple pleasure of being alone in the rain and away from the crowds. In that respect, it's similar to their single "Enjoy The Silence," which is also about solitude away from the throngs. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA

Comments: 3

  • Ivis Dm from Mexico CityI agree with "Devoted in Mx City"... unless explained by the author, the lyric of a song is opened to interpretation and adjusts one can adjust it to one's context, but, I'm sorry, the meaning written here for "But Not Tonight" is very simplistic. Since the lyrics say, "... Reminiding me of so many other nights, When my eyes had been so red, I'd been mistaken for dead, but not tonight", I've always believed the song is a bout a depressed person who do drugs, but is determined to get out of his addiction... and the rainy night makes it a little more dramatic.

    Good one, Devoted in MX City.
  • Devoted In Mx City from Mexico CityA long, long time ago, I got to the conclusion that most of the songs (except the ones with obvious references) have a meaning in particular for the person who listens to it.
    I mean, you can interpret the lyrics any way you want (a good example about this is Danny Wilson’s Mary’s Prayer)... most of the times, only the writer/composer knows the exact meaning of a lyric, but that lyric can adjust to one’s moment in life.
    IMO, I believe “But Not Tonight” is about a depressed person who tries to unsuccessfully get out of it.

    Greetings to all!
  • Benoit from MontrealThe lyrics celebrate the simple solitary pleasure of autoerotism (masturbation)... A break from the simple pleasure of pot ("my eyes have been so red...")
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