"Thinking About You" is a song by John Mellencamp that reflects on nostalgia and longing for a past relationship. The narrator expresses their desire to reconnect with someone from their past, someone they haven't spoken to in decades. They reminisce about the days they spent together and wonder if the other person has similar memories. The song starts with the narrator confessing that it's not their nature to be nostalgic, but they couldn't help but think about this person. They confess to waiting by the phone, hoping for a call from the person they're thinking about. They mention that it's been a long time since they last spoke, but they just wanted to let the person know that they've been on their mind. The narrator then mentions leaving a message, and a young girl's voice answering and promising to call back soon. They speculate that the girl might be the person's daughter and that her voice reminds them of how the person used to sound. Despite their curiosity, the narrator assures that they don't mean any trouble and are simply wondering about the person's life. The song then dives into memories from years ago, specifically recollecting summer afternoons and a playground where they first met. The narrator reflects that things may have changed since then, perhaps even the playground being torn down, but their memories remain intact. The narrator ends the song by emphasizing that they don't want to bother the person and that they're not expecting anything from them. They understand if the person is busy and doesn't have time to return the call. However, they express gratitude for the memories they shared together when the world seemed bigger and more full of possibilities. The song concludes with the repetition of the phrase "I've been thinking about you." In summary, "Thinking About You" is a heartfelt song about longing for a past relationship and the nostalgia that comes with it. The narrator is looking to reconnect with someone and reflect on the memories they shared.
