|
|
|
|
|
WEBMISTRESS speculates:
Stevie is a bit vague in her commentary, because she doesn't quite remember what it's about. She states:
"'If I'd really known you then, you'd've had to watch out' - I must be talking to somebody about something that happened a long time ago. That's all I can think of. And I'm comparing it to a card game. 'I held the cards. I was the dealer and it wasn't hard.' It was some kind of a game that I was writing about with somebody that I was playing, obviously, and it wasn't cards because I don't know how to play cards. So I don't really know exactly what that song's about, but whatever it's about, everybody seems to really love it. And maybe it's good, because I don't really always love to tell people exactly what songs are written about because I like it that maybe people can come up with their own idea for 'The Dealer'. They can be The Dealer in that song. They can hold the cards."
I'm going to put on my Dealer hat and speculate away! I like this song - it's very interesting. I think Stevie is talking about the choices she's made regarding her relationship with Lindsey - not just the choice to end it, but the choices she made afterwards regarding him. She acknowledges that she was the one with the power in the relationship: she "held the cards", and "it was [her] fault" that it ended - that was her decision, her "move" in the "game" of love. But if she'd known how hard it was going to be afterwards, she never would have gotten involved with Lindsey in the first place - she would "have run away."
At the time, though, she felt like it "wasn't hard." She felt in control, like she was the "mistress of [her] fate". She didn't know then what she knows now about Lindsey, though - she only saw the handsome genius and not his flaws. If she had realized all the problems they were going to have, she would have made him "watch out"! I love how it ends - Stevie is assessing their current situation. She is the "dancer", spinning around, while Lindsey is the "player", and they come so close to each other but they still can't make it work. They almost connect, but never actually do. So they continue their "passion...play" - she wants to hold him, he wants to stay with her, but somehow they never hook up. So tragic!
RUISRYAN speculates:
This is my all time favorite Stevie demo, I just love how this song, like few others really show Stevie's strong side. "That part of her that is as tough as nails" is somewhat how it's put in the Behind the Music on her. I really think in this song she strives to take control of her life, and especially her romantic relationships. Also, around the time this song was first recorded, she and Lindsey were broken up, or breaking up. She began to see other men, such as Don Henley, and I love how this song incorporates her flirty side too..."I'll be the dancer, and you be the player... I'll dance around you, and you just stay" I think as a songwriter, and as a woman Stevie was coming out of her shell bravely with this song.
24 Karat Gold | SN Albums