Much of the book focuses on Wan-Lee Wong’s obsession with Pearl Chang as the “angel” from his dream, so I thought this song was fitting. I also thought that some of the lyrics fit Wan-Lee’s decisions to go against his principles for the sake of impressing Pearl. For example, Wan-Lee bought an overcoat that he didn’t need so that he could look good in case he saw Pearl, buying into capitalism due to temptation.
Tennis shoes, don’t even need to buy a new dress
If you ain’t there, ain’t nobody else to impress
and
Got me looking, so crazy, my baby
I’m not myself lately, I’m foolish, I don’t do this
I’ve been playing myself, baby, I don’t care
‘Cause your love’s got the best of me
And baby you’re making a fool of me
Despite Wan-Lee’s constant desire to see Pearl throughout the book, he is concerned about what others would think if they saw him out with Pearl. This reminds me of these lines where Beyoncé is concerned about what her friends think about her boyfriend:
When I talk to my friends so quietly
“Who he think he is?” Look at what you did to me
I don’t think that Wan-Lee would admit to feeling crazy in love about Pearl though!