"Cross My Fingers" is a song by John Hiatt, an American singer-songwriter. The song tells a story of someone who is trying their best to be loyal and faithful in a relationship, despite feeling a sense of uncertainty and fear of losing their partner. In the lyrics, the protagonist expresses their commitment to their loved one by saying, "I'll be true to you cross my fingers, I'll be good to you cross my fingers." By crossing their fingers, they are symbolically making a promise, hoping that luck will be on their side and their intentions will be fulfilled. The song also portrays a sense of longing and distance. The protagonist describes the feeling of being in a different state or mindset when they are away from their partner, saying, "I slip into another gear, And I travel in another syncopation, When all I wanna be is here with you." They acknowledge the challenges and sacrifices they have to make, but they still strive to remain faithful and true. The lyrics also touch upon the theme of unrequited love, as the protagonist mentions that their partner never promised them anything in return. However, they still hold on to the hope that love will eventually prevail, singing, "There is a promise love delivers, Even though you never promised me." The song evokes a sense of yearning, illustrated through imagery such as tears turning into icicles and the protagonist only hearing their loved one "half the time" through crackling static on the phone. Despite the difficulties, they still cherish the moments they share, reminiscing about walking along the ocean or swimming like dolphins with their partner. Overall, "Cross My Fingers" is a heartfelt song about the challenges of maintaining faithfulness and love in a relationship, even when faced with uncertainty and distance.
