Heartaches By The Number
µÂ»³ÌØ.ÓÈ¿ÏÄ·(Dwight Yoakam) Lyrics
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Heartache Number One was when you left me
I never knew that I could hurt this way
Heartache Number Two was when you came back again
You came back and never meant to stay
Chorus:
Troubles by the score
Every day you love me less
Each day I love you more
Now I've got heartaches by the number
A love that I can't win
But the day that I stop counting
That's the day my world will end
Heartache Number Three was when you called me
And told me you was coming home to stay
With hoping heart I waited for your knock on the door
I waited but you must have lost your way
Chorus:
Now I've got heartaches by the number
Troubles by the score
Every day you love me less
Each day I love you more
Now I've got heartaches by the number
A love that I can't win
But the day that I stop counting
That's the day my world will end
Ah, the day that I stop counting
That's the day my world will end
In "Heartaches By The Number," the singer expresses the pain of heartache caused by a tumultuous relationship. The song is divided into three verses, each representing a specific moment in the relationship that leads to pain and heartache. The first verse talks about Heartache Number One, which was caused by the lover leaving. It highlights the pain that the singer feels after being left behind. The second verse is more complex, as it talks about Heartache Number Two, when the lover comes back but does not mean to stay. The chorus is the repeated phrase "now I've got heartaches by the number," which highlights how the singer keeps counting the heartaches and troubles in the relationship, ultimately making it impossible for it to work. The third verse talks about Heartache Number Three, which was caused by the lover calling and promising to come back but never showing up.
The song’s emotional weight is conveyed skillfully by the lyrics, the vocals, and the music, which elevates the heartache-filled words. The chorus is especially poignant as it captures the essence of the song: the singer knows that the love he has for his partner is not healthy, but he cannot help but love them more each day, despite the hurt they cause him.
Line by Line Meaning
Heartache Number One was when you left me
The first time you left me caused me so much emotional pain and misery.
I never knew that I could hurt this way
I had never experienced this kind of emotional pain before.
Heartache Number Two was when you came back again
When you came back into my life and left again, it hurt me even more than the first time.
You came back and never meant to stay
You returned to me without any intention of really staying with me.
Now I've got heartaches by the number
I am now suffering from a multitude of emotional pain and suffering.
Troubles by the score
Along with my heartaches, I am also dealing with many other problems in my life.
Every day you love me less
Your love for me is fading with each passing day.
Each day I love you more
Despite your decreased love for me, my love for you continues to grow stronger.
A love that I can't win
My love for you is unrequited and destined to fail in the end.
But the day that I stop counting
As long as I continue to keep track of my heartaches and troubles, I am still holding on to hope for us.
That's the day my world will end
The day that I give up hope and stop counting is the day that I will feel like my world has come to an end.
Contributed by Callie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Music4allofU
I always thought my mother played this record by Johnny Tillotson, Now after hearing Ray Prices incredible recording of this classic track for the first time, I realize it was this version my mother played all the time when I was 3 years old.