"Tear-Stained Letter" is a cover of a song which was originally recorded by British singer Richard Thompson, and again in 1988 by country singer Jo-El Sonnier, whose version was a Top Ten country hit. Additionally, "A Thousand Times a Day" was previously cut by George Jones on his 1993 album High-Tech Redneck.
Track listing
1. "Tear-Stained Letter" (Richard Thompson) – 3:28
2. "The Trouble with the Truth" (Gary Nicholson) – 4:21
3. "I Miss Who I Was (With You)" (Jim Lauderdale, John Leventhal) – 3:19
4. "Everybody's Equal in the Eyes of Love" (Tony Arata) – 3:27
5. "Lonely Too Long" (Mike Lawler, Bill Rice, Sharon Rice) – 4:38
6. "You Can Feel Bad" (Matraca Berg, Tim Krekel) – 3:24
7. "A Thousand Times a Day" (Gary Burr, Nicholson) – 3:31
8. "She Drew a Broken Heart" (Jon McElroy, Ned McElroy) – 2:52
9. "To Feel That Way at All" (Lauderdale, Jack Tempchin) – 3:47
10. "Someday I Will Lead the Parade" (Arata, Scott Miller) – 4:00
Tear Stained Letter
Patty Loveless Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Track 1 - Time 3:28)
It was three in the morning when he took me apart
He wrecked my house and he wrecked my heart
He danced on my head like Arthur Murray
The scars ain't never going to mend in a hurry
Just when I thought that things would get better
Right through the door came a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Well, my head was spinning just a little to fast
It was writing checks that my body couldn't cash
I jumped to my feet, I was reelin' and a-dizzy
I went for the phone but the line was busy
Just when I thought that things would get better
Right through the door came a tear-stainted letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Now, I like coffee and I like tea
But I just don't like this feeling in me
It makes me nervous, it gives me the hives
Looking for the truth in a pack of lies
Just when I thought that things would get better
Right through the door came a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Patty Loveless's song "Tear Stained Letter" is about heartbreak and the difficulty of moving on. The lyrics, written by Richard Thompson, paint a picture of a woman who has been left behind by a man who has wrecked her house and her heart. She feels lost and helpless as she is overwhelmed by the emotions that come with being alone and hurt.
The song starts with the woman feeling like she can't catch a break as the man who hurt her continues to linger in her mind. She wishes that things would improve but is met with disappointment when a "tear-stained letter" arrives. This letter could be one the man sent to apologize or a letter from someone else that triggers her pain.
The chorus emphasizes the idea of letting out your emotions through crying and writing. The woman feels like she has nothing left to do but pour out her emotions in a letter. She wants to set all of her feelings down on paper and send it as a way of letting go.
Overall, "Tear-Stained Letter" is a powerful song that captures the feelings of heartbreak and the struggle to move on. The lyrics are compelling and relatable for anyone who has experienced the pain of a broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
It was three in the morning when he took me apart
He emotionally destroyed me in the middle of the night
He wrecked my house and he wrecked my heart
He caused damage to both my physical and emotional space
He danced on my head like Arthur Murray
He moved around me destructively, like a skilled dancer
The scars ain't never going to mend in a hurry
The wounds inflicted will take a long time to heal
Just when I thought that things would get better
Hope was restored for a brief moment
Right through the door came a tear-stained letter
But then a letter arrived that brought more pain
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
It’s okay to express your emotions
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Write it all out in a letter so you can process and release those emotions
Well, my head was spinning just a little too fast
I was overwhelmed and couldn’t keep up
It was writing checks that my body couldn't cash
My emotions were making promises that my physical body couldn’t handle
I jumped to my feet, I was reelin' and a-dizzy
I reacted quickly but was unsteady and disoriented
I went for the phone but the line was busy
I tried to reach out for help, but couldn’t get through
Now, I like coffee and I like tea
I enjoy simple pleasures in life
But I just don't like this feeling in me
But this emotional pain I’m experiencing is too much
It makes me nervous, it gives me the hives
It’s causing physical reactions that are uncomfortable
Looking for the truth in a pack of lies
Trying to find honesty amidst deceit
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord
An expression of pain and helplessness
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Write it all out as a form of catharsis
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind