Tune Tuesday – Cuts Both Ways

On this day in 1989, Gloria Estefan released her first solo album, Cuts Both Ways.

The title track was released in 1990 worldwide as the fifth and final single from the debut solo album. It had moderate success in the US, becoming a number one hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart while reaching #44 on the US Billboard Hit 100.

From Wiki: Matthew Hocter from Albumism described “Cuts Both Ways” as a “heartbreakingly beautiful song of love lost”, and picked it as one of the “highlights” of the album. Bill Coleman from Billboard viewed it as a “trademark-styled ballad, highlighted by lovely acoustic guitars and affecting vocals.”David Giles deemed it a “big ballad”. He added, “Cliched lyrics aside; its acoustic guitar is undeniably pleasant and her voice is left attractively uncluttered, Carpenters style.” A reviewer from The Network Forty noted that “shifting gears from power, ballad, to folk and Latin. “This one has a deeper message, both musically and lyrically, than you might expect.” Pop Rescue wrote that “this is really quite a nice track as it twists and turns”, and “a nice plodder”. Mike Soutar from  Smash Hits called it a “latin-tinged sappy smoocher”.

The music video was produced to promote the single, featuring Estefan performing alone in a beach house. Sometimes she is seen standing by a large window, glancing out at the sea. Other times she sits by a table. In between there are also small clips of billowing water or a guitar that is being strummed. The video was later published on Estefan’s official YouTube channel in March 2011. It has amassed more than 2,7 million views^.

I remember the words really hitting me when I first listened to this. This could have been because a gal I had dated sent it to me to listen to.

Did she feel that way? Was she trying to get back together? I was already in another relationship at the time. I wasn’t sure what to think or do at the time. After a phone call and some discussion, I told her I needed to think.

I would up ending the one relationship and went back to my ex. We stayed together for another three years, but it eventually ended again.

It’s interesting how a song can really make you think….

It cuts both ways
Our love is like a knife that cuts both ways
It’s driven deep into my heart each time
That I realize
How it cuts both ways

Can’t be together, cannot live apart
We’re heading straight into a broken heart
But I can’t stop

‘Cause I feel too much to let you go
I’m hurting you and it’s hard, I know
To stay and fight for what we’ve got
Knowing it’ll never be good enough
‘Cause you and I are dangerous
We want too much and life ain’t that way
Don’t ask for more, you’d be a fool
Haven’t we already broken every rule?

It cuts both ways
We’re in too deep for sorry alibis
Can’t have regrets or even question why
We can’t say goodbye

Because it cuts both ways
No more illusions of the love we make
No sacrifice would ever be too great
If you would just stay

‘Cause I feel too much to let you go
I’m hurting you and it’s hard, I know
To stay and fight for what we’ve got
Knowing it’ll never be good enough
‘Cause you and I are dangerous
We want too much and life ain’t that way
Don’t ask for more, don’t be a fool
Haven’t we already broken every rule?

It cuts both ways
Our love is like a knife that cuts both ways
It’s driven deep into my heart each time
I see we’re livin’ a lie
And it cuts both ways

Oh, it cuts both ways
It cuts both ways
It cuts both ways
It cuts both ways
It cuts both ways