AI Wars - Are ChatGPT and Bard Lonesome Tonight?

Continuing our AI wars series I decided to shift from poets to songwriters and see what ChatGPT and Bard think of the lyrics of a classic song that sits in the public domain. I wanted to be more generic this time so I prompted the AI engines with the following song made famous by none other than Elvis Presley:

Tell me the meaning and what you think about this poem:

“Are you lonesome tonight?

Do you miss me tonight?

Are you sorry we drifted apart?

Does your memory stray to a bright summer day

When I kissed you and called you sweetheart?

Do the chairs in your parlor seem empty and bare?

Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there?

Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again?

Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?

I wonder if you're lonesome tonight

You know someone said that the world's a stage and each of us must play a part

Fate had me playing in love with you as my sweetheart

Act one was where we met

I loved you at first glance

You read your lines so cleverly and never missed a cue

Then came act two, you seemed to change, you acted strange

And why I've never known

Honey, you lied when you said you loved me

And I had no cause to doubt you

But I'd rather go on hearing your lies

Than to go on living without you

Now the stage is bare and I'm standing there

With emptiness all around

And if you won't come back to me

Then they can bring the curtain down

Is your heart filled with pain

Shall I come back again?

Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?”

ChatGPT Responded with the following:

The poem you've shared is actually the lyrics to a popular song called "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman. It was first recorded by Charles Hart in 1926, but it gained immense popularity when Elvis Presley recorded his version in 1960.

The poem/song explores themes of loneliness, lost love, and the longing for a past relationship. It begins with a series of questions asking if the person being addressed is feeling lonely and if they miss the speaker. The lyrics also mention the memories of a past summer day and the affectionate moments shared. The song then transitions to reflecting on the relationship and how it changed over time. The speaker mentions feeling deceived and hurt by their lover's lies but admits they would rather hear those lies than live without them. In the end, the speaker is left standing alone on an empty stage, contemplating whether their lover will return.

As an AI language model, I don't possess personal emotions or opinions, so I can't provide a subjective interpretation or feelings about the poem. However, the poem evokes a sense of longing, heartache, and the yearning for lost love. It expresses the emptiness and pain that can come from a broken relationship and reflects on the uncertainties and desires of someone who is separated from their loved one.

Bard Responded with the Following:

The poem "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" is a classic love song written by Lou Handman and Roy Turk in 1926. It has been covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley, who made it a worldwide hit in 1960.

The poem is a heartfelt expression of longing and regret. The speaker is asking their former lover if they are lonely without them. They remember the good times they had together and wonder if their heart is filled with pain. The speaker is willing to forgive the other person for their lies, if only they would come back.

The poem is a powerful reminder of the pain of lost love. It is a song that has been sung by millions of people around the world, and it continues to resonate with listeners today.

I think the poem is beautiful and moving. It captures the pain of heartbreak in a way that is both honest and heartbreaking. The speaker's longing for their former lover is palpable, and their willingness to forgive is a testament to the power of love.

The poem is also a reminder that love is a risk. When we fall in love, we open ourselves up to the possibility of pain. But the potential rewards are worth the risk. Love is a beautiful and powerful emotion, and it is worth fighting for.

The Winner of the Battle

I would have to commend ChatGPT on its confession “As an AI language model, I don't possess personal emotions or opinions, so I can't provide a subjective interpretation or feelings about the poem.” Just because there is a realization there that it might not fully appreciate the depth of emotion that this song brings to us humans. It’s hard to even think of this song at this point without thinking of Austin Butler’s performance in the 2022 movie Elvis. I guess in general this song is forever associated with him more than Turk and Handman.

All that said, I actually prefer Bard’s response to this one as I do think it captures the essence of what the song is trying to portray. I also found it interesting that both engines detected that the poem I provided was actually lyrics to this song so that didn’t trick either AI engine. I did that because I felt like I went too easy on Bard and ChatGPT in the last battle. What do you think? Did Bard win? Are you surprised by how well these engines work? Are you disappointed by their answers? This is an interesting time for the world as AI has suddenly become much better and we all need to stay informed and on alert.