The 'Obsessed' Song Symbol in Play Along: Wedding Anthem, Walk-Up Track, and Private Language

The Song as a Recurring Motif in Play Along

In Liz Tomforde's Play Along, Mariah Carey's 2009 pop single “Obsessed” appears first as a track on the book's curated playlist (Chapter 2) and then becomes a private, evolving symbol for Isaiah Rhodes and Kennedy Kay. The song is not merely a background detail; it functions as a shared language, a public declaration, and a marker of how their relationship transforms from a drunken, impulsive arrangement into a genuine, committed love. Because the novel opens with a playlist that includes “Obsessed” at 4:02, the reader is primed to notice when the song resurfaces in the narrative. Its recurrence at three pivotal moments—their Las Vegas wedding, Isaiah's walk-up song at a baseball game, and their second wedding reception—turns a catchy pop tune into a deeply personal emblem of their connection.

What the Song Literally Is

In the story, “Obsessed” is a Mariah Carey song that appears on the novel's playlist, which lists twenty-one tracks in Chapter 2. The playlist itself is a deliberate curation, and the inclusion of “Obsessed” signals its importance before the plot even begins. Within the narrative, the song becomes the couple's wedding song. During their drunken, spontaneous wedding in Las Vegas (Chapter 4), Kennedy is asked what song she wants to walk down the aisle to. In her inebriated, stream-of-consciousness narration, she thinks, “Mariah Carey. Isaiah sang a Mariah Carey song tonight. He was pretty good. 'Obsessed.'” She then says the word aloud, and the song becomes the soundtrack to their first wedding.

Later, in Chapter 16, the song reappears as Isaiah's walk-up song during a home game. The stadium speakers blare the track, and the crowd sings along. Isaiah, at the plate, turns back to find Kennedy in the stands, extends his bat toward her, and winks. Kennedy reflects, “Our wedding song is on full blast as Isaiah makes his way to the plate, but before he gets there, he turns back in my direction. With the entire stadium singing the song I walked down the aisle to, Isaiah extends his bat, points at me, and winks.” This moment transforms the song from a private memory into a public performance.

Finally, in the epilogue, the song serves as the couple's first dance at their second, more deliberate wedding reception. Isaiah requests a song from the DJ and leads Kennedy to the dance floor. While the epilogue does not name the track, the outline confirms that “Obsessed” is their first dance, completing the song's arc from impulsive choice to intentional celebration.

Recurrence and Transformation

The song appears at three distinct points, each with a different emotional weight.

• The Vegas Wedding (Chapter 4): Kennedy, drunk and rebellious, chooses the song on a whim. It represents her breaking free from her controlled, rule-following life. She has just signed a marriage license to a man she barely knows, and the song is a playful, almost defiant choice. It also marks the beginning of her private obsession with Isaiah, as she thinks, “I think I might be obsessed. Why do I keep thinking about him?”

• The Walk-Up Song (Chapter 16): Isaiah deliberately selects the song as his walk-up music, knowing it will reach Kennedy in the stands. This is a public declaration. The entire stadium sings along, but only Kennedy understands the deeper meaning. Isaiah's wink and bat-point create a private moment within a public spectacle, signaling that the song is for her alone. It also shows his confidence and his desire to claim her in front of thousands of fans.

• The First Dance (Epilogue): At their second wedding, the song becomes a reaffirmation of their commitment. Unlike the chaotic Vegas ceremony, this wedding is intentional and surrounded by family. The song now carries the weight of their journey—from a fake arrangement to a real, lasting love. It is no longer a joke or a public stunt; it is a quiet, intimate acknowledgment of how far they have come.

How the Meaning Changes

The song's meaning evolves alongside Kennedy and Isaiah's relationship. Initially, it is a spontaneous, almost reckless choice that reflects Kennedy's desire to rebel against her parents' expectations and her own rigid planning. She has never been in trouble, and choosing a song called “Obsessed” for her wedding is a small act of defiance. It also hints at her growing, unacknowledged feelings for Isaiah.

As Isaiah's walk-up song, the meaning shifts to a public performance of their private connection. The song becomes a way for Isaiah to broadcast his devotion without saying a word. He uses it to flirt, to claim her, and to remind her of their shared secret. The wink and bat-point are a playful challenge, inviting her to acknowledge the bond they are building.

By the epilogue, the song has become a symbol of permanence. It is no longer a joke or a performance; it is a genuine expression of love. The fact that they choose it again for their first dance shows that the song has been reclaimed from its initial chaos and given new, stable meaning. It now represents not just obsession, but commitment, trust, and the choice to be vulnerable with each other.

Character and Theme Connections

The song is deeply tied to both protagonists. For Isaiah Rhodes, it is a way to express his long-standing infatuation with Kennedy. He has been “obsessed” with her for years, as he admits in the Vegas wedding scene: “I married the girl I've been obsessed with for years.” The song becomes his anthem, a way to say what he feels without being too direct. It also reflects his playful, confident personality—he uses it to tease and to flirt, but also to show genuine affection.

For Kennedy Kay, the song represents her journey toward spontaneity and emotional openness. She is a planner, a rule-follower, and someone who has never allowed herself to be impulsive. Choosing “Obsessed” is a break from that pattern. Later, when she hears it at the stadium, she realizes she has a crush on her husband, marking a turning point in her emotional awareness. The song becomes a catalyst for her to acknowledge her feelings.

Thematically, the song connects to performance vs. authenticity. The public performance of the song at the stadium contrasts with the private meaning it holds for the couple. Isaiah's walk-up song is a performance for the crowd, but the wink and bat-point are for Kennedy alone. This tension between public persona and private truth is central to their relationship, as they navigate their fake marriage while developing real feelings.

The song also ties to learning intimacy and vulnerability. Kennedy, who has never been touched or allowed herself to be vulnerable, uses the song as a way to connect. When she chooses it at the wedding, she is stepping outside her comfort zone. When Isaiah uses it as his walk-up song, he is inviting her to share a moment of intimacy in a very public space. The song becomes a tool for building trust and closeness.

Additionally, the song touches on family expectations vs. personal autonomy. Kennedy's choice to marry Isaiah and to pick a song like “Obsessed” is a rebellion against her mother's controlling nature and the arranged-marriage expectations she grew up with. The song represents her agency and her decision to follow her own desires.

Study Questions

1. How does the song's meaning shift from a drunken choice to a public declaration?

Answer: Initially, Kennedy chooses “Obsessed” while drunk, as a spontaneous act of rebellion against her controlled life. It represents her desire to break free. Later, Isaiah uses the same song as his walk-up music, turning it into a public declaration of his feelings for Kennedy. The wink and bat-point make it clear that the song is for her, transforming a private joke into a shared, public secret.

1. What does Isaiah's wink and bat-point gesture communicate to Kennedy?

Answer: The gesture signals that the song is specifically for Kennedy, creating a private moment within a public stadium. It communicates his affection, his playfulness, and his desire to claim her in front of thousands of fans. It also invites her to acknowledge their connection, as she realizes she has a crush on her husband.

1. In what ways does the song function as a marker of the couple's relationship evolution?

Answer: The song appears at three key moments: the impulsive Vegas wedding, the public walk-up song, and the intentional first dance at their second wedding. Each appearance marks a stage in their relationship—from a reckless arrangement to a public acknowledgment to a committed, loving partnership. The song's recurrence shows how their connection deepens over time.

1. How does the song relate to the theme of performance vs. authenticity?

Answer: The song is performed publicly at the stadium, with the crowd singing along, but its true meaning is known only to Isaiah and Kennedy. This contrast highlights the tension between their public personas (as a married couple in a fake arrangement) and their private, authentic feelings. The wink and bat-point are a way to bridge that gap, allowing them to share a genuine moment within a performance.

Conclusion

In Play Along, Mariah Carey's “Obsessed” is far more than a playlist entry. It is a flexible symbol that adapts to the couple's changing relationship. From a drunken wedding choice to a public walk-up anthem to a first dance, the song encapsulates the playful, obsessive, and ultimately loving connection between Isaiah and Kennedy. It allows them to communicate without words, to perform for the world while keeping their true feelings private, and to mark the milestones of their journey from strangers to soulmates. The song's recurrence is a testament to how a simple pop tune can become a deeply personal language between two people.

For further exploration, see the book overview, the themes of performance vs. authenticity and learning intimacy and vulnerability, and the character pages for Isaiah Rhodes and Kennedy Kay.