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.
Waggin' Tongues
Bonnie Owens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If not sweetheart I'd still be there with him
If the spark of doubt remains and their talk has been to flame
I'll always be a sinner to them
Waggin' tongues and small town talk are to blame my dear not you
Don't ever let them drive me from your heart
I can never live it down with waggin' tongues around
Those waggin' tongues are tearing us apart
Every Romeo in town has tried to come around
And hopes that all the things they heard were true
When they found it was a lie the truth they did deny
Those waggin' tongues took over and did prove
Waggin' tongues and small town talk...
The lyrics of Bonnie Owens's song Waggin' Tongues talk about the effects of small-town gossip on a relationship. The singer confesses to their partner that they were unfaithful in the past but now they love only them. However, the people in their town still talk behind their backs, spreading false rumors and casting doubt on the singer's sincerity. The singer worries that this talk will never truly go away and that it will always be a source of tension between them. The line "I'll always be a sinner to them" suggests that the singer feels judged and condemned by their community, even though they are trying to make amends.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the destructive power of gossip. The singer pleads with their partner not to let the rumors drive them apart, but they know that it's easier said than done. The last line of the chorus, "Those waggin' tongues are tearing us apart," emphasizes the sad reality that even if the singer is now faithful and devoted, the damage has already been done by the talk of others.
Overall, this song is a poignant commentary on the way that rumors and gossip can shape our lives and relationships, even when they are not true. It reminds us to be careful with our words and to remember that our actions have consequences that ripple out beyond our immediate circle.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I've been untrue but now I love just you
I acknowledge that I have cheated in the past, but now I am devoted to only loving you.
If not sweetheart I'd still be there with him
If I did not care for you deeply, I would still be with the person I cheated with.
If the spark of doubt remains and their talk has been to flame
If even the slightest suspicion lingers and the rumors have grown stronger.
I'll always be a sinner to them
They will always perceive me as someone who has committed an unforgivable act.
Waggin' tongues and small town talk are to blame my dear not you
Gossip and rumors spread by the people in this town are responsible for the negative perception of our relationship, not anything you have done.
Don't ever let them drive me from your heart
Do not let gossip ruin what we have and make you doubt your feelings for me.
I can never live it down with waggin' tongues around
The malicious rumors will continue to haunt me and make me feel guilty for what I have done.
Those waggin' tongues are tearing us apart
The constant rumors and gossip are straining our relationship and causing unnecessary tension.
Every Romeo in town has tried to come around
Every man in this small town has attempted to win my affections.
And hopes that all the things they heard were true
They believe what they have heard about my past and hope it is all true.
When they found it was a lie the truth they did deny
When they were proven wrong, they refused to acknowledge the truth and continued to spread rumors.
Those waggin' tongues took over and did prove
The gossiping and spreading of rumors took control and became the driving force behind what people believe about my character and our relationship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
whispperson
Love this Lady. Thanks for this Posting.
latokatn506
Super Lady of our Time RIP Thanks for the share
anthony belcher
Brilliant song 66
Bev Earle
Bonnie was the Best partner Merle haggard ever had . She really was the only true partner he had . When she left in 2006 he was lost
Pop Ballek
Adorable lady