She Went Out For Cigarettes
Chely Wright Lyrics
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When she asked him for the keys
Said, "I'm going to the market
Is there anything you need?"
The first quarter was underway
He never missed a play
She pulled out of the driveway
Took a left at the light
Didn't stop at the market
She just drove right on by
Across the railroad tracks
She never once looked back
She went out for cigarettes
And just kept driving on
He didn't even know it yet
Bur she's gone
As far away as she can get
Passed the point of no regret
She went out for cigarettes
And just kept driving on
Half time is over
The sun is sinking low
It's almost time for supper
But there is nothing on the stove
He looks up from his easy chair
He just noticed she's not there
She made a stop at the bank
Took out some cash
Now she's racing down the highway
On a full tank of gas
As fast as she can go
To where she does not know
She went out for cigarettes
And just kept driving on
He didn't even know it yet
Bur she's gone
As far away as she can get
Passed the point of no regret
She went out for cigarettes
And just kept driving on
She went out for cigarettes
And drove on
The song "She Went Out For Cigarettes" by Chely Wright perfectly captures the desperation of someone who has reached the end of their rope and decides to leave everything behind for a chance at a fresh start. The woman in the story has clearly suffered for a long time in her relationship, as evidenced by the man's obsession with the TV and his lack of concern for her needs. When she asks for the keys to go to the store, she instead drives away and doesn't look back. She's willing to leave everything she's ever known behind to find something better.
The symbolism of cigarettes is particularly potent in this song. Many people turn to cigarettes in times of stress or anxiety as a form of escape, and the woman in the song takes this to another level by using it as an excuse to leave. It's also interesting to note that cigarettes are often associated with addiction - something that can be difficult to break free from. In a way, the woman in the song is addicted to the idea of leaving - she can't resist the urge to drive away and start anew.
One of the most powerful lines in the song is "passed the point of no regret". This indicates that the woman has thought this through and understands the gravity of her decision. She knows that once she leaves, there's no going back - but she's willing to take that risk. The fact that she doesn't even know where she's headed (as evidenced by the line "To where she does not know") adds to the sense of uncertainty and desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
He was glued to the T.V.
He was so engrossed watching TV he didn't notice when she approached him.
When she asked him for the keys
She requested for the keys to the car.
Said, "I'm going to the market
She explained to him where she was going, hoping he'd pay attention.
Is there anything you need?"
She inquired from him if he needed anything from the market.
The first quarter was underway
The first quarter of the game on TV had started.
He never missed a play
He didn't take his eyes off the TV even for a second, watching every move in the game.
She pulled out of the driveway
She left their home on wheels.
Took a left at the light
She navigated through the road safely and made a left turn.
Didn't stop at the market
She unexpectedly bypassed the market she said she was going to.
She just drove right on by
She continued on driving and didn't stop for anything.
Across the railroad tracks
She went past the railroad crossing.
She never once looked back
She didn't stop or look back once she started driving away from home.
She went out for cigarettes
She initially intended to go out and buy cigarettes.
And just kept driving on
She faced little resistance and just kept driving with every mile passing.
He didn't even know it yet
He had no idea his partner wasn't coming back nor that she had even left.
Bur she's gone
She left without many explanations or any indication of when she'd be back.
As far away as she can get
She tried going as far as she could from where she was.
Passed the point of no regret
She had already made up her mind she's not coming back.
Half time is over
The game played on TV had proceeded to the middle of the game.
The sun is sinking low
The sun was setting down.
It's almost time for supper
It was almost the time they usually had dinner.
But there is nothing on the stove
There was no food being prepared on the stove as there usually was by this time.
He looks up from his easy chair
He looked up from the comfortable chair he was sitting on, starting to notice that something was not right.
He just noticed she's not there
He finally realized that his partner was nowhere to be found.
She made a stop at the bank
She stopped at the bank where she withdrew some cash.
Took out some cash
She withdrew some cash from her account at the bank.
Now she's racing down the highway
She was now driving at high speed on the highway, trying to get as far as she could from home.
On a full tank of gas
Her car fueled with enough gas to make it far from where she was.
As fast as she can go
She was driving as fast as she could to escape and start a new life elsewhere.
To where she does not know
She wasn't sure where she was going exactly but she didn't care, as long as it was far from where she was coming from.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JON MCELROY, RONNIE GUILBEAU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jordan Hasch
Can we just talk about how fucking STUNNING the song is? The lyric weaves a tale of slowly unfolding heartbreak, until she decides she's had enough and leaves, never to come back. But the music shoulders the weight of the song. A delicate piano underscores Chely's heartfelt contralto, but the plaintive pedal steel and winding acoustic/electric guitars map out the steely strength in the melody, while the bass and drums echo a teary-eyed goodbye. This song is the reason I still listen to country, and one of the main songs I come to when I seek a hit of beautifully melodic melancholy.
Jess Marcou
Wow❣Thank you. I needed a COMMENT like this to get me back on course after my adult childs "You'd Abandon Your Children" comment to my face😢
That little biatch lol~ all my children know way better they adults. Thanx again for being that inspirational guardian angel I need to get my buttskinz back on course ✌❣🌞
christian ross
Chely Wright is very beautiful, and this is a very powerful song, one of my favorites!!
Ronda Rawson
CHELY SHOULD OF HAD MORE EXPOSURE...SHE IS A TREASURE TO COUNTRY MUSIC.....LOVE HER MUSIC❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😇🙏
Anna Naber
Love this song 🎶🎶
Antonio Cagliarani
Maravilhosa ❤️ música linda!!
DONRHOLLOWAY
I had recorded this video on VHS when it first debuted, but it accidently got recorded over. I'm glad I found it here. She has such a great voice and a soulful sound. By the way, who were the two beautiful children in the video with her?
hoopsgyrl
I love Chely's looks here. She is so cute and adorable. I also love this song even though I don't listen to country music. Chely is such a gifted singer/songwriter. I am so glad she came out otherwise I would have not known her and her amazing music.
Sample Gee
Fave female country artist of all time hands down!!!
Robert Hungerford
I saw her sing this live in 2000, This song was absolutely awesome. Her back up band was phenomenal , well they were about to release their debut album, some little band called Rascal Flatts.