Cup XXXVII: Isn't That What Music's Supposed to Do?

Tea: Sour Kumquat Green and Raspberry bubble tea

Music: Holly Cole, "Make it Go Away"

Time: Night

Today, while I was waiting for a news conference, I went -- as I often go -- hunting for cool music videos on YouTube.

I'd never had any luck finding that particular Holly Cole song on the site, but I thought -- as I often think -- "Oh, what the heck. Might as well look one more time."

And there it was -- or there she was, I suppose. But the arrangement was different. Same singer, same melody, same lyrics -- but the versions don't feel the same at all.

The song I first fell in love with (and no, that's not too strong a word in this case) is an aching, running on fumes of fumes, two in the morning plea. It'll think about the next day when it comes -- if it comes.

This one's stronger, acknowledging its weakness but also its strength.

It says, "Yeah, I'm messed up, and hurting, and sometimes I can't see past the next minute. And yeah, I need you to get me through that. But we're going to get through this, and someday, when you're messed up and hurting and can't see past the next minute, I'm going to be there."

And you know what?

The feelings for the first version haven't diminished one bit -- but "love's" not too strong a word for this one.

Tonight's story:

Richard Middleton, "On the Brighton Road"