Sue Ann Carwell. I have her 2nd and 3rd albums on CD. What a 1980s/1990s genius! This month in Dear Gloffy I pay tribute to one of the most underrated lost talents of yester-year! You can find Sue Ann on Myspace.

Dear Gloffy,
I have been dating my boyfriend for almost four years. Recently, we have been having some problems, but we both love each other and are working through them. My problem is with one of my close friends, who views my current relationship speed bump as the perfect time to voice her hatred for my boyfriend. She seems to feel it is her right as my friend to justify her hatred for him by pointing out his faults, claiming I could do better and even (gasp!) trying to set me up with other guys. I respect her opinions, and have tried many times to nicely tell her to butt out, but this only leads to an argument wherein she starts crying, claims she loves me, and we patch things up. Things get better for a week or so and then she starts in again, saying that a real friend wouldn’t stop reminding me of what is best for me. It’s even beginning to affect my social life, as he and I have started avoiding our mutual hang-out spots. Which leads her to tell all of our friends that he is controlling me, therefore justifying her hatred for him. Please help me Gloffy, I’m at my wits' end. 

Signed,
Tired of the Drama in Seminole Heights

Dear Tired,
The job of a friend is rather clear. 
They listen intently and don't interfere. 
If you break up and hate him for thirty days straight
But on day thirty-one you make up and date
Your friend just accepts it, that's life, it's your choice
A good friend won't judge you or raise up her voice
True friends they keep opinions where they belong
They still love you dearly when they think you are wrong.
Sue Ann Carwell said it best in '92 -
"Friend until the end/I'll be here for you."

Dear Gloffy,
My boyfriend's parents control him. He is trapped. They yell at him for not getting a job, yet they won't help him get a license.  They tell him they don't want him to live at home, yet they packed his belongings and redecorated his room when he went out of town. He is 19, but stuck far out from the city. It's pretty crazy. How can he break free without severing family ties?

Signed,
At A Loss

Dear Loss,
What a scary predicament. Without knowing this boy ... does he have friends who can put him up for a little bit? Other family members? Sometimes in life you have to take chances to truly move forward. Your boyfriend may just have to risk loosening up those family ties before they wrap tightly around his neck and suffocate him. If he truly wants to make a change, there are ways to do it. I have had many friends crash on my couch while they got their *beep beep* together. I think it's time for your boyfriend to pull a Sue Ann Carwell.  When Sue Ann got fed up in 1992 she wrote her song "P.M.S." P.M.S. stood for "play me serious" and she meant it! Sue Ann wasn't in the mood for anyone's "bull ... sugar" and your boyfriend shouldn't be either! 


To write me go to the Dear Gloffy page on jeremygloff.com OR deargloffy@gmail.com