She Only Smokes When She Drinks
Joe Nichols Lyrics
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You're feelin' pretty good
You think you've got a shot
Most girls you probably would
Yeah this is that kind of place
But she ain't that kind of girl
You're readin' it all wrong
Let me tell you about her/
She only smokes when she drinks
She only drinks now and then
Now and then when she's tired
Of bein' let down by men
You can give her a light
But it's not what you think
Everybody knows she only drinks alone
And she only smokes when she drinks
Did you ask her to dance
Let me guess, she told you no
Got to take her some place quiet
And see how far that goes
Oh, don't take it all that hard
When she smiles and turns you down
For a complicated girl
She ain't that hard to figure out
She only smokes when she drinks
She only drinks now and then
Now and then when she's tired
Of bein' let down by men
You can give her a light
But it's not what you think
Everybody knows she only drinks alone
And she only smokes when she drinks
The lyrics of Joe Nichols's song "She Only Smokes When She Drinks" tell the story of a common situation where a guy is trying to impress a girl at a bar or club. However, Joe Nichols turns this into an opportunity to show that the girl being described is not like most girls that the guy is used to. As the guy tries to read her signals, Nichols reveals that the girl only smokes when she drinks, and she only drinks when she's tired of being let down by men. This signifies that the girl is not an easy catch, and she has been through enough men to know what she wants and what she doesn't want.
The girl is complex, but not too hard to figure out. She's not falling for the guy's tricks and is not interested in dancing with him. She doesn't need a flashy environment, but rather a quiet and comfortable one. The reason behind her smoking only when she drinks is played up in the lyrics, where the song suggests that she uses cigarettes as an escape from the bad experiences she has had with men. Ultimately, the song expresses that she is a woman who deserves respect and understanding instead of just another pick-up line.
Overall, "She Only Smokes When She Drinks" is a well-written song that explores the true personality of a girl who is often misjudged in such circumstances. It shows that her actions are not merely random, but they come from a place of knowing what she wants, and most importantly, what she doesn't want.
Line by Line Meaning
So you lit her cigarette
You're trying to impress her by offering to light her cigarette.
You're feelin' pretty good
You think you have a chance with her.
You think you've got a shot
You're convinced that she's interested in you.
Most girls you probably would
You're used to girls being attracted to you, but she's different.
Yeah this is that kind of place
The atmosphere is conducive to flirting and hookups.
But she ain't that kind of girl
She's not interested in a one-night stand.
You're readin' it all wrong
You're misinterpreting her signals.
Let me tell you about her/
I'm going to explain why she's not interested.
She only smokes when she drinks
She's not a regular smoker, but she'll have a cigarette when she's drinking.
She only drinks now and then
She's not a heavy drinker, but she'll have a few drinks occasionally.
Now and then when she's tired
She drinks when she's feeling down from being disappointed by men.
Of bein' let down by men
She's been hurt by men in the past.
You can give her a light
She might accept your offer to light her cigarette.
But it's not what you think
Don't assume that she's interested in you just because you're helping her.
Everybody knows she only drinks alone
She prefers to drink by herself.
And she only smokes when she drinks
She's not a regular smoker, but she'll have a cigarette when she's drinking.
Did you ask her to dance
You tried to make a move on her.
Let me guess, she told you no
She rejected your advances.
Got to take her some place quiet
You thought that being alone with her would change her mind.
And see how far that goes
You expected something to happen between you two.
Oh, don't take it all that hard
Don't feel too bad about being rejected.
When she smiles and turns you down
Her rejection isn't personal - it's just not the right time for her.
For a complicated girl
She's not an easy person to understand.
She ain't that hard to figure out
If you pay attention, you'll see that she's not interested in you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIM NICHOLS, TONYL MARTIN, CONNIE HARRINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@96Snaker
One of the most underrated guys in country music.
@tpittman73
AND underrated songs!!! No matter the subject matter, the vocals are perfection!!!
@lesliegailey4239
Guess who is not a good time at
@lesliegailey4239
@@tpittman73 good your you your way back to the
@smittygee003
Brokenheartsville is an anthem!
@thechosenone8886
1000% one of the best country artist to live EVER!!!
@brandonsims283
Joe Nichols is definitely one of my favorite country singers. I truly believe he is an excellent storyteller!
@brotatochip9093
I love this type of feel in country music..I can’t really describe it but something about it’s slower pace and the instrumentals sounds so soothing. Kinda sucks how country music moved away from this to the crap we have now…we need more artists like randy, brooks and Dunn, joe..etc.
@marianicole1902
Love this song! This is the kind of country I wish they played on the radio!
@jamesal1001
i met joe nichols at a place called round up in florida many years ago. He didnt want pictures taken during his signing after this performance. I caught his guitar pic he threw into the crowd, being last minute to show up i asked him to sign it. He took one glance like i was pathetic to his security gaurd, and initialed JN. Before then, i told him i been a fan since 1992. i wont ever forget his reaction and never forget meeting him in person, I was litterally whispering in his ear it was so loud in the club that night.