美國流行音樂界有一個很有名的民謠三重唱Peter, Paul and Mary。他們自己寫過很多名曲,也唱別人的歌,學彈民謠吉他的人,一定都唱過他們的歌。
Torn between two lovers就是其中的團員Peter和友人合寫的歌,也是美國流行音樂史上描述婚外情的作品中,相當有名的一首。這首歌的原始靈感,是來自文學名著「齊瓦哥醫生」中男主角的遭遇,只是決定由女歌手來詮釋之後,歌詞作了更動。原本這首歌打算交由當時名氣響亮的Olivia Newton John 或 Anne Murray來演唱,但後來決定把機會讓給沒沒無名的Mary MacGregor。
There are times when a woman has to say
what's on her mind
Even though she knows how much it's gonna hurt
Before I say another word
Let me tell you: I love you
Let me hold you close and say these words as gently as I can
There's been another man that I've needed and I've loved
But that doesn't mean I love you less
And he knows he can't posses me
And he knows he never will
There's just this empty place inside of me that only he can fill
Torn between two lovers
Feeling like a fool
Loving both of you is breaking all the rules
You mustn't think you've failed me
Just because there's someone else
You were the first real love I ever had
And all the things I ever said
I swear they still are true
For no one else can have the part of me I gave to you
Couldn't really blame you
If you turned and walked away
But with everything I feel inside
I'm asking you to stay