By the late '50s Bonnie was recording on the Mar-Vel label with Fuzzy and his band, the Sun Valley Playboys. She cut a well-received duet album with Fuzzy, her sometime boyfriend, on Tally Records, which would later be re-released on Capitol Records as "Just Between the Two of Us." In 1961, Bonnie saw Haggard singing for the first time at a Lefty Frizzell concert. At the time, Haggard was just a few months out of San Quentin prison for breaking and entering. By 1964 Fuzzy was managing Haggard and suggested that Bonnie and Haggard re-record "Just Between the Two of Us." Taking Fuzzy's advice paid off; the song hit the top of the country charts but not for long. It was replaced by "(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers," Haggard's breakthrough single.
In 1965 Haggard signed with Capitol Records, married Bonnie, and signed the Strangers (including Bonnie) with a booking agency owned in part by Buck. Bonnie's marriage to Haggard lasted until 1978, but the two had already separated in 1975. Eventually Bonnie resumed touring with the Strangers in the late '70s and remarried for the final time to Fred McMillenher. She continued to tour regularly with Haggard and the Strangers. While Bonnie released half a dozen albums and numerous singles on Capitol Records in the mid- to late '60s, she remained satisfied singing backup as a member of the Strangers.
My Hi-Fi to Cry By
Bonnie Owens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To hear the man announcing it's country music time
He plays the record hits to fit most every girl and guy
Then he plays a song and it's my hi-fi to cry by
I wonder how the man who wrote this song knew the same
The words that keep on haunting me day after day
As long as you're here in my heart there'll be tears in my eyes
Especially when I'm listenin' to my hi-fi to cry by
There must be other broken hearts that feel the same way too
But they don't know the hurt that goes along with losin' you
So just to hear that song and live with memories that's why
I turn on my hi-fi to have my daily cry
I wonder how the man...
Especially when I'm listenin' to my hi-fi to cry by
In Bonnie Owens's song "My Hi-Fi to Cry By," she describes her daily routine of turning on the radio at nine o'clock in the morning to listen to country music. She tunes in to listen to the hits, but the most important part of her listening experience is a particular song that always brings her to tears. She wonders how the songwriter of this song knew exactly what she was feeling and how the words continue to haunt her long after the song has ended.
The lyrics suggest that Bonnie Owens is likely heartbroken and still mourning the loss of a relationship, and that she takes solace in listening to music that reflects her feelings. The song also implies that there are others who may be going through similar feelings of heartbreak and loss, but they may not fully understand the depth of her pain. Turning to her "hi-fi to cry by" seems to be her coping mechanism, and it provides a sense of comfort and catharsis.
Overall, the lyrics of "My Hi-Fi to Cry By" speak to the power of music to help us process and express our emotions. It is a reminder of how meaningful certain songs can be to us, especially during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
I turn on my radio each morning around nine
Every morning at nine, I make a point of turning on my radio.
To hear the man announcing it's country music time
I tune in hoping to hear the man announce that it's time for country music.
He plays the record hits to fit most every girl and guy
He chooses records that he thinks will appeal to most people.
Then he plays a song and it's my hi-fi to cry by
When he intentionally plays a song that triggers my emotions, that's when I know it's time for me to listen alone.
I wonder how the man who wrote this song knew the same
I think about how the songwriter must have been able to understand my pain when he wrote this song.
The words that keep on haunting me day after day
The lyrics continue to resonate with me and cause me to think about my heartbreak.
As long as you're here in my heart there'll be tears in my eyes
As long as I continue to hold onto the memory of you, I'll continue to cry.
Especially when I'm listenin' to my hi-fi to cry by
My emotions are especially strong and it's especially hard for me to hold back tears when I'm listening to music alone.
[ steel ]
There must be other broken hearts that feel the same way too
I imagine that there are others who, like me, are struggling with heartbreak and the pain of lost love.
But they don't know the hurt that goes along with losin' you
While others may understand heartbreak, they don't specifically know the pain that I feel from losing you in particular.
So just to hear that song and live with memories that's why
I make a point to listen to this song, because it allows me to remember you and experience my emotions in a safe way.
I turn on my hi-fi to have my daily cry
Every day, I listen to music alone with the intention of experiencing and processing my emotions through crying.
I wonder how the man...
Especially when I'm listenin' to my hi-fi to cry by
My emotions are especially strong and it's especially difficult to hold back tears when I'm listening to music alone.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sonnydave8551
Bonnie was a true classic country singer. She deserved to better known. Very good song!
@antientdude1100
A real Country Queen.
@mac26x98
Bonnie great singing, you were a credit to country music. If only we could have you, Rose Maddox, and Bob Wills back.... What holes in country music you all left. Thnx for sharing her.
@latokatn506
Super Lady of Our Great Days of True country music !!!!!
@shijack2
This was recorded around 1969, she was named Female Vocalist of the Year 1965 by the Academy of Country Music..... .
@guesswho111
Bonnie Campbell Owens Haggard is one of my favorites. She is so talented..
@rayblanco5204
She was #1 then and FOREVER
@simonjamesyoung8091
Fantastic Country voice and Song
Superb in the mould of Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette
@RattlerMan33
good stuff great singer. she made ole Merle sound good for years.
@nedrabradley7837
You know you're right