Buddy Miller is a country singer, songwriter, recording artist and producer… Read Full Bio ↴Buddy Miller is a country singer, songwriter, recording artist and producer, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee. Miller is married to and has recorded with singer/songwriter Julie Miller.

Miller formed the Buddy Miller Band, which included singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin on vocals and guitar.

In addition to releasing several solo albums over the years, Miller has toured as lead guitarist/backing vocalist for Emmylou Harris's Spyboy band, Steve Earle on his El Corazon tour, and Linda Ronstadt. He co-produced and performed on Jimmie Dale Gilmore's 2000 album Endless Night. He has also appeared on several albums by songwriter/singer Lucinda Williams.

At the 4th Annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards, the Ryman Auditorium September 2005, Miller received the Album of the Year Award for his Universal United House of Prayer, and the opening cut of that album, Worry Too Much (penned by Mark Heard, and originally released on Second Hand), won the Song of the Year Award.

I'm Gonna Be Strong
Buddy Miller Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can see
You're slipping away from me
And you're so afraid
That I'll plead with you to stay
But I'm gonna be strong
And let you go your way

Love is gone

There's no sense in holding on
And your pity now
Would be more than I could bare
But I'm gonna be strong
And pretend I don't care

I'm gonna be strong
And stand as tall as I can
I'm gonna be strong
And let you go along
And take it like a man

When you say it's the end
I'll hand you a line
I'll smile and say
Don't you worry I'm fine
But you'll never know darling

After you kiss me goodbye
How I'll break down and cry

Overall Meaning

In the song "I'm Gonna Be Strong" by Buddy Miller, the lyrics tell the story of a person who recognizes that they are losing their partner. Despite the fear and sadness that come with a breakup, the singer resolves to be strong and let their partner go. They know that holding on to a relationship that has lost its love is pointless, and that there is no use in begging their partner to stay. Instead, they will pretend to be okay and carry on with their life without their significant other.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I'm gonna be strong," as the singer musters up the courage to stand tall, take the breakup like a man, and hide their true feelings from their partner. They vow to remain strong even when their partner says it's the end, and when they are alone and can finally let their emotions out, they will break down and cry.

Overall, the song "I'm Gonna Be Strong" is a bittersweet tune that speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the struggle to keep one's composure in the face of loss.

Line by Line Meaning

I can see
I am aware of what is happening between us

You're slipping away from me
You are becoming distant and moving away from me

And you're so afraid
You are scared of my reaction

That I'll plead with you to stay
That I will beg you not to leave me

But I'm gonna be strong
However, I will be brave

And let you go your way
And allow you to choose your own path

Love is gone
Our love has ended

There's no sense in holding on
It's pointless to hold onto something that's gone

And your pity now
And your sympathy towards me

Would be more than I could bear
Would be too much for me to handle emotionally

But I'm gonna be strong
I will remain brave and strong