Everybody Needs A Best Friend
Norah Jones
The Joy of Unconditional Friendship in Song
Norah Jones' song 'Everybody Needs A Best Friend' is a heartwarming ode to the beauty of friendship and the importance of having a close confidant in life. The lyrics, delivered with Jones' signature smooth and soulful voice, convey a message of gratitude and self-awareness. The song acknowledges the imperfections of the self while celebrating the bond between friends.
The opening lines, 'My words are lazy / My thoughts are hazy,' suggest a candid admission of the speaker's flaws, setting a tone of humility and vulnerability. The chorus, 'Everybody needs a best friend / I'm happy I'm yours,' is a simple yet profound recognition of the universal need for companionship and the joy that comes from being someone's close companion. The song's charm lies in its acknowledgment of the speaker's shortcomings ('A fool could see decidedly / That you're a ten and I'm a three') and the playful acceptance of being the 'bummer' in the friendship.
The metaphor of a 'royal brie,' a high-quality cheese, suggests that the friend deserves the best, yet they choose to stick with the speaker despite their self-proclaimed lower status. This metaphor, along with the rest of the song, highlights the unconditional nature of true friendship. The song's lighthearted tone and whimsical lyrics celebrate the idea that everyone, regardless of their imperfections, deserves a best friend who loves and appreciates them for who they are.