In the works of Lucretius’ On the Nature of Things, one can see the detrimental effects of love on the affected, as “The body seeks out the object that has wounded the mind with love”(pg. 128) and lovers “…tightly squeeze the object of their desire and cause bodily pain, often driving their teeth into one another’s lips…”(pg. 129). One can see a somewhat similar sentiment in the song “My Kind of Crazy” by Brantley Gilbert, with descriptions of “Pokin’ out her kip and bitin’ mine when we kiss” and “She never lets me rest/ She keeps me up all night/ Known to roll me off the bed/ And steal the covers on my side”. From these quotes, there is a feeling that Brantley Gilbert is suffering on a physical level from this relationship, and suffering similarly to how Lucretius predicted.
However, especially given the more humorous latter part of the second quote, one can sense a more lighthearted sense and almost appreciation from Brantley Gilbert. While Lucretius warns us about the dangerous effects of Venus, Gilbert seems to totally embrace this aspect of his relationship. With the recurring lines of “Yeah but she’s my kinda crazy/…/She’s too cute to get on my last nerve/The way she throws her little fits”. The very things that Lucretius describes as being the bad part of any relationship between lovers are what draws Gilbert in, with the lack of sleep and the somewhat painful sounding embraces being quirky parts of his relationship. What’s even more interesting is Lucretius warns of this effect, with “Thus we find women with numerous defects of body and behavior being fondly loved and held in high esteem”(pg.131). This adds another level to the song of Gilbert, as what other features are perhaps in his mind a benefit when in reality they too are detrimental to either him or his lover, or perhaps both. The description of her being too cute to get on his last nerve, in conjunction with her “fits” also resonates with this fact as he openly admits that things that should irritate him do not as she is physically attractive.
“The body seeks out the object that has wounded the mind with love”(pg. 128)
“…tightly squeeze the object of their desire and cause bodily pain, often driving their teeth into one another’s lips…”(pg. 129)
“Thus we find women with numerous defects of body and behavior being fondly loved and held in high esteem”(pg.131)