Several weeks ago, an old friend called me up and asked if we could meet. I said yes and we met at a restaurant the next day. During our meeting, my friend confided that he and his wife of 20 years have separated because she confessed to having a long-time lover.
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 possess me and he knows he never will
There’s just this empty place inside of me that only he can fill
I was naturally shocked because I’ve known my friend and his ex-wife for many years, and I know how much they love each other. My friend and I were both silent for minutes, but as I struggled to ask the right questions, my friend said that his ex-wife told him that it was not his fault. She added that she loves my friend, but this ‘other man’ was able to fill the emptiness that she had been feeling for a long time.
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
After a few bottles of beer, my friend said he wanted to give his wife a second chance if she will end the affair. Sadly, his ex-wife declared that she can’t promise to do what he wants but would like to keep the marriage intact. In short, she wanted to have the best of both worlds.
Torn between two lovers, feelin’ like a fool
Lovin’ both of you is breakin’ all the rules
Torn between two lovers, feelin’ like a fool
Lovin’ you both is breakin’ all the rules
It was at this point that my friend realized that their marriage was over. He called it quits and left their house despite his ex-wife’s pleas. I felt sad for my friend, but in a way, I also admired him. It’s because he had the guts to walk away from a relationship that he didn’t know was founded on lies and deception, unlike me who opted to forgive my wife for her betrayal because I can’t afford to see my children carry the pains of separation. It was a choice that until now keeps bugging me, asking if I made the right decision.
I couldn’t really blame you if you turned and walked away
But with everything I feel inside, I’m asking you to stay
Mary MacGregor recorded ‘Torn Between Two Lovers’ in 1976, which also served as the title track of her debut album. Peter Yarrow of the iconic music trio Peter Paul and Mary wrote the song which hit number 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
‘Torn Between Two Lovers’ also topped the Easy Listening chart and the Canadian music charts. It likewise stayed for over two months in Billboard’s Top 10 and was named as the tenth top song of 1977.
AKA Music 