Standing Room Only
Barbara Mandrell Lyrics


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Standing room only
You must think my bed's a bus stop
By the way you come and go
I ain't seen you with the lights on
Two nights in a row
So pack your rusty razor
And don't bother with goodbye
Your cup runneth open
But mine is always dry

[Chorus]
Standing room only
But I can't stand no more
Standing room only
Outside my door

Don't help me set the table
Cause now there's one less place
I won't lay mama's silver
For a man who won't say grace
If home is where the heart is
Then your home's on the street
Me, I'll read a good book
Turn out the lights and go to sleep





[Chorus: x2]

Overall Meaning

In Barbara Mandrell's song β€œStanding Room Only”, the singer addresses her partner, who seemingly treats her like a revolving door, leaving and returning without explanation or empathy. In the first verse, she alludes to the fact that the partner seems to be using her bed as a stop-over point, as if it were a bus station, with no real regard to their shared space. She further laments about the partner's tendency to disappear without notice, and the fact that they have not spent more than two consecutive nights together as a result.


In the chorus, the title phrase "Standing Room Only" is repeated to express the singer's frustration at having to put up with this lack of commitment and consistency from her partner. She declares that she cannot stand it anymore to be in such a relationship, thus hoping to encourage her partner to make a choice between being fully present or leaving for good.


The second verse is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the singer's sense of despair and disappointment. She describes how she does not even bother to set the table for two anymore, opting instead to read a book before going to sleep in the absence of her partner. She ultimately concludes that if her partner does not understand or appreciate the value of their relationship and home, they are better off living on the street.


Line by Line Meaning

Standing room only
There's no more space here, it's crowded and I need some breathing room.


You must think my bed's a bus stop
You come and go as if my bed was a public place, not respecting my personal space and boundaries.


By the way you come and go
Your unpredictable comings and goings create a sense of instability that I cannot tolerate.


I ain't seen you with the lights on
We haven't spent quality time together, and you only appear at night, when things are less clear and honest.


Two nights in a row
Even though we live together or share intimacy, you're emotionally and physically absent most of the time.


So pack your rusty razor
Collect all the things you left rusty or broken and leave my house and my life behind, and don't expect any farewell rituals.


And don't bother with goodbye
I don't want to hear empty apologies or farewells, just leave if you're not willing to make things work.


Your cup runneth open
You're always available, always looking for something, but you don't stop and cherish what you already have or how it could benefit others.


But mine is always dry
I'm always drained, tired, and thirsty for something that you can't provide, nor do you seem to care about.


[Chorus] Standing room only But I can't stand no more Standing room only Outside my door
I'm fed up with your presence, your behaviors, and your disrespectful attitude, and I want you to leave now and never come back.


Don't help me set the table
You're not welcome anymore, and I don't want your help, your presence or your sympathy in my daily routine.


Cause now there's one less place
You're no longer a part of my family or my household, and there's no more space for you or your ego.


I won't lay mama's silver
I won't give you access to the precious things in my life or my heart, including the memories and love that I have for my family.


For a man who won't say grace
I won't tolerate your lack of manners, respect, and acknowledgment for the things you have and the things that others do for you.


If home is where the heart is
Home is a place of warmth, comfort, and love, where you feel safe and respected for who you are.


Then your home's on the street
You don't have a home, a place where you belong, and your behavior and attitude are the reasons why.


Me, I'll read a good book
I'll do something that gives me joy, enriches my mind, and allows me to detach from the negativity you bring into my life.


Turn out the lights and go to sleep
I'll choose what I want, when I want, and how I want, and I'll enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with being alone and empowered.


[Chorus: x2] Standing room only But I can't stand no more Standing room only Outside my door
I don't want you around anymore, and I don't want to suffer from your presence, your behaviors, and your lack of respect and love. Leave now and never come back.




Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES SILVER, SUSAN MANCHESTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

rody692

You must think my bed's a bus stop
The way you come and go
I ain't seen you with the lights on
Two nights in a row

So pack your rusty razor
Don't bother with goodbye
Your cup runneth over
But mine is always dry

Standing room only
I can't stand no more
Standing room only
Outside my door
Don't help me set the table
'Cause now there's one less place
I won't lay mama's silver
For a man who won't say grace

If home is where the heart is
Then your home's on the streets
Me, I'll read a good book
Turn out the lights and go to sleep

Standing room only
I can't stand no more, no more
Standing room only
Outside my door



All comments from YouTube:

Kim Clayton

This is one of favorites of Barbara Mandrell.Β  Older song but it' got a great tune a lyrics.Β  Oh country music where are you now?Β  Miss the originals always.

Danalynne Johnson

I had this album on vinyl when it first came out. Love her voice!

Kevin Macdonald

I love Barbara's voice too Danalynne!

Frank Haley

A beautiful song ..and that steel guitar at the end gave me the chills. Nothin’ like a steel guitar

T C

wish there was more country music like this today's country has got out of control

Colt Aarav

i realize it's kinda off topic but does anyone know of a good site to stream newly released tv shows online?

1 More Replies...

Sunshine in Texas

Country music they call today is not even half of as good as it was back then. Love that song!- Standing Room Only" and more!!

Cary Elliott

What a song with a great voice singing it the way it needed to be sung.

Patrick

Not a fan of country at all but this is an amazing song delivered with such raw emotion that it totally blew me away.

HEI ltd

"Not a fan of country". If you're not a fan of country you ain't got no soul.

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