"Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)" by John Mellencamp is a song that tells the story of a man, referred to as Gypsy Scotty, and his infatuation with a woman. The song is set in the Hotel Flamingo in Key West, where the man and the woman, who is described as being elegant and captivating, are staying. The lyrics mention a loud Cuban band playing at the hotel, and they are said to be "crucifying John Lennon." This line suggests that the band's performance is overpowering and perhaps not to the taste of everyone present. The lyrics also express the universal desire of not wanting to be lonely or sing the blues. The protagonist of the song, Gypsy Scotty, is accompanied by the woman, who is compared to a parrot perched on his shoulder. The narrator questions why she is with him instead of dancing with the narrator himself. Despite this, the narrator is fascinated by her and longs to be what she's drinking, symbolizing his desire to be a part of her life. The lyrics then describe a scene where Gypsy Scotty is driving his "big long yellow car" with the woman flying like a bird over his shoulder. She declares him as her star, further highlighting their connection. However, the narrator asserts his claim that he saw her first and believes he has the right to be in her heart. Towards the end of the song, the narrator and Gypsy Scotty are singing in the dawn, and Gypsy Scotty tells the narrator a story about a girl he knows in Kentucky. It is revealed that the story was fabricated, suggesting that Gypsy Scotty might not be as genuine as he appears. Overall, the song portrays a love triangle and explores themes of desire, jealousy, and the pursuit of love. The lyrics capture the narrator's longing for the woman and his belief that he saw her first, giving him the right to be a part of her life.
