by Diana Tibert

Created on: July 15, 2008

When I first heard "Nothing Better to Do" by Leann Rimes on the radio, it caught my ear. It was an upbeat song with a catchy chorus that was easy to sing along with. Hey, doesn't everybody wish we had nothing better to do than just sit back and listen to the song or jump up and dance.

The only problem I had with Leann's singing was that I couldn't make out some of the words regardless of how closely I listened. No matter, it was a good tune with a good beat. It wouldn't be the first song I listened to and enjoyed without knowing everything that was said.

After a few months of listening to the song and thinking it was a light-hearted tune perfect for summer and playing about, I saw the video. My view of the song changed. Women in prison wearing what could have easily been garbage bags dancing around looking for a break out. It added a dark side to the song.

I had to ask myself, what was I singing'? Did someone get murdered in the song? Why were these girls in prison? It was easy to find the lyrics on-line and by the number of hits to the website, I could see others were also interesting in learning what they were singing.

Thankfully, no one was murdered. It was just about a young girl who attracted two boys long enough to steal some money from the church offering plate and booze and get them into a fight while she stole their car. This was nothing I would do or hope my children would take part in, but I can see where younger people singing the lyrics might think it is cool. After all, it was just in good fun. Or should we really think this way? Truthfully, it is the wrong message to be sending to youth.

After seeing the video and learning the lyrics, the song has lost its zest. It's not the fun, upbeat song it was before.

In this case, I don't think the video helped promote the song. Many listeners might prefer to be left in the dark and just enjoy the beat. Those who learn more about the lyrics might shake their heads and decide not to buy the CD.

On a scale of one to ten, I give the beat of the song an eight. However, because of the lyric content and the fact that a lot of the words cannot be understood, the overall song receives a four. On our radio station, it played for about three to four months. This is not a long time compared to many good songs that play for about six months and often reappear even though the singer has another hit on the air waves.

Learn more about this author, Diana Tibert.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.