Cash released her first single in 1979, a duet with Bobby Bare called "We Don't Need No Memories Hangin' 'Round". Two years later, she had her first country No. 1 (and the biggest commercial hit of her career), "Seven Year Ache". Although Cash was a prominent country star throughout the '80s, alongside fellow decade-defining artists Emmylou Harris, Juice Newton, and Dolly Parton, her music was anything but traditional: She topped the charts with songs written not only by herself, but by her father ("Tennessee Flat Top Box"), John Hiatt ("The Way We Make a Broken Heart"), Tom Petty ("Never Be You") and the Beatles ("I Don't Want to Spoil the Party"), "I Don't Know Why You Don't Want Me", which won her a Grammy in 1985, and "It's Such a Small World", a 1987 duet with Rodney Crowell on his album Diamonds & Dirt, provided further hits. A sampling of these songs and more are included on the compilation Hits 1979-1989. In 1979, she married Rodney Crowell, who was to produce most of her hit records. Their stormy marriage lasted until 1992; its break-up is chronicled in Cash's Interiors and in Crowell's album Life Is Messy. Cash later married John Leventhal, who produced her albums The Wheel, 10 Song Demo, Rules of Travel, and Black Cadillac.
To date, Cash has had more than twenty top 40 country singles, including eleven chart-toppers, but none since 1990, and she has left Nashville in both spirit and body to pursue her artistic vision. Although she had recorded all of her hits for Columbia Records' Nashville division, she released 10 Song Demo for the pop division of Capitol. Cash resurfaced in 2003 with Rules of Travel. The album features guest appearances by Sheryl Crow and Steve Earle, as well as a tune penned by Joe Henry and the Wallflowers' Jakob Dylan. Cash's latest album, entitled Black Cadillac, was released by Capitol Records in January 2006 to critical acclaim. Many of the songs were written by Cash and address the losses (within a 24-month span) of her step-mother, her father, her step-sister (Rosey Nix Adams) and then finally her mother on Cash's fiftieth birthday.
Seven Year Ache
Rosanne Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Face down in a memory but feeling all right
So who does your past belong to today?
Baby, you don't say nothing when you're feeling this way
The girls in the bars thinking, "Who is this guy?"
But they don't think nothing when they're telling you lies
You look so careless when they're shooting that bull
Don't you know heartaches are heroes when their pockets are full
Tell me you're trying to cure a seven-year ache
See what else your old heart can take
The boys say, "When is he gonna give us some room"
The girls say, "God I hope he comes back soon"
Everybody's talking but you don't hear a thing
You're still uptown on your downhill swing
Boulevard's empty, why don't you come around?
Baby, what is so great about sleeping downtown?
Plenty of dives to be someone you're not
You say you're looking for something you might've forgot
Don't bother calling to say you're leaving alone
'Cause there's a fool on every corner when you're trying to get home
Just tell 'em you're trying to cure a seven-year ache
See what else your old heart can take
The boys say, "When is he gonna give us some room"
The girls say, "God I hope he comes back soon"
Tell me you're trying to cure a seven-year ache
See what else your old heart can take
The boys say, "When is he gonna give us some room"
The girls say, "God I hope he comes back soon"
The song "Seven Year Ache" by Rosanne Cash speaks to the feelings of restlessness and dissatisfaction that can arise in a long-term relationship. The lyrics present a man who is trying to escape an unsatisfying past, but is struggling to find fulfillment in the present. The opening lines, "You act like you were just born tonight/Face down in a memory but feeling all right," suggest that the man is trying to forget his past and live in the moment, but is still haunted by his history.
The chorus, which repeats the line "Tell me you're trying to cure a seven-year ache" emphasizes the idea that the man is searching for something that will cure his feelings of dissatisfaction. However, the line "heartaches are heroes when their pockets are full" suggests that the man might be mistaking material success for happiness. The reference to the girls in the bars and their willingness to lie to him reinforces this idea – the man might think that he is surrounded by desirable women, but they are only interested in his money.
The final lines of the song, "Don't bother calling to say you're leaving alone/'Cause there's a fool on every corner when you're trying to get home" suggest that the man is experiencing loneliness and isolation, despite trying to avoid his past. Overall, "Seven Year Ache" is a poignant commentary on the search for happiness and fulfillment in a world that values material success above all else.
Line by Line Meaning
You act like you were just born tonight
You're behaving as if you just arrived on this planet and are experiencing everything for the first time.
Face down in a memory but feeling all right
You're recalling some past event so vividly that you feel like you're reliving it, but it's not causing you any distress.
So who does your past belong to today?
You're wondering whose version of your personal history is being told now, as you yourself don't identify with it anymore.
Baby, you don't say nothing when you're feeling this way
You're not communicating your thoughts and emotions, even though you should, given your current state of mind.
The girls in the bars thinking, 'Who is this guy?'
The women around you are trying to figure out who you are and what you want.
But they don't think nothing when they're telling you lies
Those same women are willing to tell you whatever you want to hear, even if it's not true.
You look so careless when they're shooting that bull
You're appearing very relaxed and carefree when you're engaging in small talk and banter with others.
Don't you know heartaches are heroes when their pockets are full
You should realize that people often idolize those who've succeeded financially, even if their means weren't always honest or moral.
Tell me you're trying to cure a seven-year ache
Let me know if you're trying to remedy some long-lasting pain or regret that you've been carrying for seven years.
See what else your old heart can take
See if you have the strength to keep going and keep pursuing your goals.
The boys say, 'When is he gonna give us some room'
Your male peers would appreciate some personal space, as they feel that you're dominating the social scene.
The girls say, 'God I hope he comes back soon'
Meanwhile, the women are looking forward to seeing you again, as they perceive you as charming and captivating.
Everybody's talking but you don't hear a thing
Even though people around you are making conversation and discussing various topics, you're not really listening or participating in those dialogues.
You're still uptown on your downhill swing
You're still enjoying the high of success and good fortune, even though you know that eventually you'll face some failures and hardships.
Boulevard's empty, why don't you come around?
The main streets or social hubs are deserted, so why not come and spend time with the few people who are still there?
Baby, what is so great about sleeping downtown?
You're expressing your contempt for the idea of living or sleeping in the actual urban core or the outskirts of the city.
Plenty of dives to be someone you're not
There are many low-class or false establishments where you can pretend to be someone else, or hide your true identity.
You say you're looking for something you might've forgot
You're claiming that you're searching for a missing part of yourself, or some buried memory or desire.
Don't bother calling to say you're leaving alone
You're advising someone not to bother contacting others when they're leaving a social gathering or a relationship, as nobody really cares about them.
'Cause there's a fool on every corner when you're trying to get home
There are many naive or gullible people on the streets, who might fall for scams or cons, especially when they're trying to return home late at night.
Just tell 'em you're trying to cure a seven-year ache
If anyone asks you what you're doing, just let them know that you're dealing with a personal problem that's been haunting you for seven years.
See what else your old heart can take
See if you have the resilience and the courage to explore new experiences and challenges, even if they pose some risk or discomfort.
The boys say, 'When is he gonna give us some room'
Your male acquaintances are growing impatient and annoyed with your constant presence and attention-seeking behavior.
The girls say, 'God I hope he comes back soon'
On the other hand, your female admirers are eagerly waiting for your return, and can't stop thinking about you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Rosanne Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind