The song "Havin' Some Fun Now" by John Hiatt explores themes of fame, public scrutiny, and self-awareness. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist's private life has become public knowledge, and their true love is reduced to just a temporary fling represented by a "lipstick stain." Their point of view is dismissed as a mere figure of speech, and they feel out of reach from others. Despite facing challenges, the protagonist tries to find enjoyment in life, hence the repetition of the phrase "Havin' some fun now." They acknowledge that the tough keep going while the good often die young, implying their resilience in difficult situations. The lyrics also suggest that the protagonist might be the only positive outcome or accomplishment in their mother's life. However, the protagonist appears to struggle with recognizing and appreciating good things when they come their way. They find themselves in distress, as symbolized by the countdown from one to nine, indicating their mental anguish. They feel like they are on a fast free fall after a long, hard climb. The song touches upon the protagonist's journey from learning music through a Mel Bay book (a popular instructional guide for guitarists) to eventually riding in a luxurious black car. Along their path, they did not let others make them cry, but they also did not understand the humor or joke in certain situations. As the song progresses, the party seems to be over, and the protagonist has won a personal battle. They are confident in their actions because they know what they have done. However, they reflect that despite their achievements and victories, they still struggle to recognize and appreciate good things when they encounter them. Overall, "Havin' Some Fun Now" speaks to the challenges of fame, self-awareness, and appreciating the positive aspects of life amidst struggles and public scrutiny.
