He retired from performing in 1979. He had many famous hits including, "Kisses Don't Lie", "Are You Teasing Me", "Hey Joe", and many others.
In 2003, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He is probably best known for the recording of "Times A-Wastin'" with June Carter.
A Way With Words
Carl Smith Lyrics
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My bags stay packed and ready behind the big chair by the phone
And the bedtime stories that you tell most everyone I've heard
But danged if you ain′t got a way with words
Well you good looking woman so good looking lord it hurts lord lord
And that love gone look of passion
In your eyes beats all I've ever heard lord lord
Well I lay right there beside you ′till you wore my body out
And tangled up my thinking till my sanity was in doubt
And you used them same old lines on me and that just made it worse
But danged if you ain't got a way with words
You good looking woman so good looking lord it hurts lord lord
And that love gone look of passion
In your eyes beats all I′ve ever heard lord lord
I'll be danged if you ain′t got a way with words
You good looking woman so good looking lord it hurts lord lord
In Carl Smith's song "A Way With Words," the singer seems to be in a complicated relationship with a woman who can't seem to let him go. He acknowledges that he's always packing his bags to leave, but he never actually does it. The woman in question is described as beautiful and passionate, with a way with words that can twist his thinking and make him doubt his own sanity. Despite the pain and confusion she causes him, though, the singer can't help but be drawn in by her words and her looks.
The lyrics of "A Way With Words" are a testament to the power of language, both positive and negative. The woman in the song is able to use her words to keep the singer hooked, even though he knows she's not good for him. At the same time, though, he recognizes the beauty in her words and in her looks, and can't help but be attracted to her despite the pain she causes him.
Overall, "A Way With Words" is a powerful exploration of the ways in which language shapes our relationships and our perceptions of the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Seems like I'm always leaving but I never can get gone
I feel like I'm constantly trying to leave, but for some reason, I can never actually go.
My bags stay packed and ready behind the big chair by the phone
I keep my bags packed and ready to go, and they're always sitting by the phone.
And the bedtime stories that you tell most everyone I've heard
I've heard the stories you tell everyone before they go to bed.
But danged if you ain't got a way with words
But I have to admit, you really have a talent for telling stories that captivate people.
Well you good looking woman so good looking lord it hurts lord lord
You are incredibly attractive, so much so that it almost hurts to look at you.
And that love gone look of passion
In your eyes beats all I've ever heard lord lord
And the look of passion in your eyes when you're in love is more intense than anything I've ever seen.
Well I'll be danged if you ain't got a way with words
Well, I have to say, you really do have a way with expressing yourself that is truly impressive.
Well I lay right there beside you 'till you wore my body out
And tangled up my thinking till my sanity was in doubt
I spent a lot of time with you until I was physically exhausted and mentally confused.
And you used them same old lines on me and that just made it worse
But danged if you ain't got a way with words
And even though you used the same old lines on me, I couldn't help but feel captivated by the way you express yourself.
You good looking woman so good looking lord it hurts lord lord
And that love gone look of passion
In your eyes beats all I've ever heard lord lord
I'll be danged if you ain't got a way with words
You are incredibly attractive, and the passion in your eyes when you're in love is even more striking. I really have to give it to you, you have an incredible way with words.
Writer(s): E. Raven
Contributed by Sophie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.