Stare

Wes Marlin

Songwriter/Composer

Trust me, it really is about the music...*

"I Don't Mean to Stare"
(Song being re-recorded, no link)

THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG:

In July of 2004 I was driving in NC. The car was in "drive" but my mind was in neutral and the phrase hit me, “I don’t mean to stare.” I could only write that down on a scrap as we drove along, but I knew that I wanted to do something with it. It immediately impressed me as a sentiment expressed by someone smitten by love. A few days later I started to develop the idea of a guy struck by a woman’s beauty that kinda immobilized him.

My mouth was hanging open but no words were coming out
My brain was barely copin’ how’d this ever come about
The moment she came into view I never was the same
I tried to introduce myself but I forgot my name

I don’t mean to stare
But I’ve never met a woman quite like you
I’m stuck standing here
Cause the rest of me doesn’t (don’t) know just what to do
Your beauty has me dazzled by everything I see
My courage has been frazzled by the look that you gave me
In all my frame of reference
There’s no one to compare
I’m sorry to embarrass you
I don’t mean to stare

I never thought a blind date could ever start this way
I normally was charming and found funny things to say
But my usual lines and compliments wouldn’t come out right
Could this warm sensation be love at first sight

(CHORUS)

Twenty years and three kids now
She’s still the world to me
And this is what I said to her
On our anniversary

I just have to stare
Cause I’ve never met a woman quite like you
I’m stuck standing here
And the rest of me doesn’t (don’t) know just what to do
Your beauty has me dazzled by everything I see
My composure still gets frazzled every time you look at me
In all my frame of reference
There’s still no one to compare
I know it might embarrass you, But I just want to stare
I’m sorry to embarrass you, I just have to stare