May 2010 saw the release of her new album, Lifted of the Ground.
Southside of Lonesome
Chely Wright Lyrics
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To check on me today
It's ironic 'cause after all
You left me this way
You say feel a whole lot better
If I'd at least pick up the phone
'Cause it scares you when you hear my message
I'm on the south side of lonesome
I don't know my way back
I am confused and I am broken
Can't believe it hurts this bad
Yeah, the south side of lonesome
It's a little hard to find
But you'll know it when you get here
If you haven't lost your mind
I always did kind of wonder
If we ever were to part
Which one of us would be okay
Which one would fall apart
Well I guess I've got my answer now
It's painful and it's clear
I'm goin' places I have never known
God, it's worse than I ever feared
I'm on the south side of lonesome
I don't know my way back
I am confused and I am broken
Can't believe it hurts this bad
Yeah, the south side of lonesome
It's a little hard to find
But you'll know it when you get here
If you haven't lost your mind
I'm on the south side of lonesome
I don't know my way back
I am confused and I am broken
Can't believe it hurts this bad
Yeah, the south side of lonesome
It's a little hard to find
But you'll know it when you get here
If you haven't lost your mind
Yeah, you'll know it when you get here
If you haven't lost your mind
The lyrics of Chely Wright's "Southside of Lonesome" depict a heartbroken narrator who is struggling to come to terms with a recent breakup. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer is surprised by the call they've received from their ex-partner, who is checking in on them. The irony lies in the fact that it is the ex-partner's actions that have left the singer feeling lost and broken.
The chorus of the song - "I'm on the south side of lonesome, I don't know my way back" - poetically conveys the depth of the singer's despair. They know they have been thrown off course and feel unable to find their way back to a happier state of mind. The use of the directional metaphor (south) reinforces the idea that the singer is lost and unsure of where to turn. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the emotional intensity of the song.
In the second verse, the singer ponders what might have happened if they had parted ways with their ex-partner in the past. They wonder which of them would be okay and which one would fall apart. This is juxtaposed with the painful reality of the present, where it is clear that the singer is the one who has fallen apart. The final line of the verse - "God, it's worse than I ever feared" - drives home the magnitude of the singer's pain and confusion.
Overall, "Southside of Lonesome" is a poignant exploration of the aftermath of heartbreak, with a haunting melody and poetic lyrics that touch on universal themes of loss and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
It's so nice of you to call
I appreciate your call
To check on me today
You are inquiring about my wellbeing
It's ironic 'cause after all
It's paradoxical that you care, since you caused my current state
You left me this way
You abandoned me in my current emotional state
You say feel a whole lot better
You suggest that answering your call would make me feel better
If I'd at least pick up the phone
You're asking me to answer your call
'Cause it scares you when you hear my message
You are afraid when you hear my voicemail message
"I'm sorry I'm not home"
My voicemail is apologizing for my unavailability
I always did kind of wonder
I used to think and question
If we ever were to part
If our paths ever diverged
Which one of us would be okay
Which one of us would survive better emotionally
Which one would fall apart
Which one of us would struggle with the separation
Well I guess I've got my answer now
I now know the answer to that question
It's painful and it's clear
It's a painful truth, but it's evident
I'm goin' places I have never known
I am in a new emotional state I have never experienced before
God, it's worse than I ever feared
It's even more painful than I thought it would be
I'm on the south side of lonesome
I am in a particularly lonely emotional state
I don't know my way back
I am uncertain how to return to a better emotional state
I am confused and I am broken
I am emotionally disoriented and hurt
Can't believe it hurts this bad
It's unbelievable how painful this situation is
Yeah, the south side of lonesome
Referred again to the particularly dark and lonely emotional state
It's a little hard to find
This emotional place may be difficult for others to relate or understand
But you'll know it when you get here
However, others may recognize this emotional state when they experience it
If you haven't lost your mind
If you haven't lost your own emotional stability
Yeah, you'll know it when you get here
Reiteration that others may recognize this emotional state when experienced
If you haven't lost your mind
Emphasizes that others must not yet have encountered very severe emotional pain
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Raul Garcia
love this song just heard it for the first time. will always be a fan of chely Wright.
Victoria Green
love this song :D finally someone posted it!
Sheniah Asiamah
Amazing song!
Michael Tubbs
Sheniah Asiamah o
sheilla joyce
my new favourite song