Why Baby Why
Buddy Miller Lyrics


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Why baby, why baby, why baby, why?
Well, tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why?

Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby, why
You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby, cry?
I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
Tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby, why?
Well, I got a crow I wanna pick with you
Just like last time when the feathers flew
You're running wild, kicking up your heels
Leaving me home with a hand full of bills

Lord, I can't live without you and you know it's true
But ain't no living with you so what'll I do?
I'm going honky tonking, get as tight as I can
And maybe by then you'll 'preciate a good man

Yeah, tell me why baby, why baby, why baby, why
You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby, cry?
I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
Tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby, why?

Well, now I don't know but I've heard say
Every little doggie gonna have his day
You'd better pay attention, don't you dare forget
'Cause I'm just a little bitty puppy yet

I caught you honky tonking with my best friend
The thing to do was leave you and I should'a left then
Now I'm too old to leave you but I still get sore
When I hear you come a-feeling for the knob on the door

Well, tell me why baby, why baby, why baby, why
You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby, cry?
I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
Tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby, why?





Well, yeah, tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby, why?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Buddy Miller's "Why Baby Why" depict the frustration and resentment of a man in a tumultuous relationship with a woman who constantly causes him pain. The lyrics revolve around the man's questioning of his partner's actions and his own love for her despite her destructive behavior. The repetition of the phrase "why baby why" emphasizes the man's confusion and desperation for answers.


The first verse introduces the idea of the man wanting to confront his partner about her reckless behavior, but ultimately feeling helpless and unable to control her actions. The second verse describes the man's plan to potentially bring his partner to her senses by going out and getting drunk at a honky-tonk. The third and final verse references a previous infidelity by the woman and touches on the man's inability to leave her despite the hurt she continues to cause him.


Overall, the song highlights the emotional turmoil and difficulty of leaving a toxic relationship, despite knowing it may be the best thing for one's wellbeing.


Line by Line Meaning

Why baby, why baby, why baby, why?
Asking the reason behind the actions of the significant other that caused hurt or trouble.


Tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why?
Repeating the question to emphasize the need for an explanation.


You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby, cry?
Expressing the pain brought about by the significant other's actions or behavior.


I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
Admitting the strong emotional attachment towards the significant other despite the hurt and trouble.


Well, I got a crow I wanna pick with you
Stating the intention to raise an issue that needs to be discussed or resolved.


Just like last time when the feathers flew
Recalling a previous argument or conflict with the significant other.


You're running wild, kicking up your heels
Describing the significant other's carefree and reckless behavior.


Leaving me home with a hand full of bills
Explaining the burden of financial responsibilities that the significant other neglected.


Lord, I can't live without you and you know it's true
Affirming the deep emotional attachment towards the significant other despite the issues and conflicts.


But ain't no living with you so what'll I do?
Realizing the difficulty of living with the significant other's behavior and asking for a possible solution.


I'm going honky tonking, get as tight as I can
Expressing the intention to go out and have fun despite the problems in the relationship.


And maybe by then you'll 'preciate a good man
Hoping that the significant other will realize the value of a good partner and change behavior.


Well, now I don't know but I've heard say
Acknowledging hearsay or rumors that might be relevant to the situation.


Every little doggie gonna have his day
Believing in the notion of karma or justice that will catch up with someone's actions eventually.


You'd better pay attention, don't you dare forget
Warning the significant other to be mindful of actions and consequences.


'Cause I'm just a little bitty puppy yet
Humorously implying that despite being old, the artist still has a lot of life and fight left.


I caught you honky tonking with my best friend
Recounting a past betrayal by the significant other with a close friend.


The thing to do was leave you and I should'a left then
Regretting the decision not to leave the significant other after the past betrayal.


Now I'm too old to leave you but I still get sore
Acknowledging the difficulty of leaving the significant other due to age or other reasons but still feeling hurt and upset.


When I hear you come a-feeling for the knob on the door
Describing the feeling of unease or suspicion when hearing the significant other's movements.


Well, yeah, tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby, why?
Repeating the question once more, seeking clarification and closure.




Contributed by Lillian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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