Knight was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Slaughters, Kentucky. His extended family lives in the same area of Kentucky. Knight has three brothers and a sister. When he was three years old, he asked for a plastic guitar for Christmas. At 15, he became serious and began teaching himself John Prine songs on his older brother's guitar. In an interview, Knight commented "At one point I could play probably 35-40 John Prine songs.
Knight earned a degree in agriculture from Western Kentucky University. He worked for ten years as a mine reclamation inspector and as a miner's consultant for the Kentucky Department of Surface Mining.
Knight started composing when he was 26, but didn't start performing until he was 30. He got his first record deal when he was 37.
On June 25, 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed Chris Knight among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.
If I were you
Chris Knight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would gladly loan to me
A dollar or two
So I could eat yeah and maybe
Get just one good night of sleep
But I'm not
And I'm stranded like a cast away in this town
When hes down
If I were you
Thats what I would do
If I were you
I wouldnt be out on these streets
The whole night through
Yeah I'd have a job
And a pretty wife that
I could come home to
But I dont
And I have twenty cents left to my name
And your the only one left here
That I have to blame
If I were you
Thats what I'd do
But sir its not my way
To take from you
The things I havent earned
Wish I could go back and heed
The Lessons I have learned
But I Cant
So you gladly put your money
In this sack
Yes sir this thing is loaded
And I have to hammer back
If I were you
Thats what I'd do
If I were you
Thats what I'd do
The lyrics to Chris Knight's song "If I Were You" presents a narrative from the perspective of a person who is in dire straits and homeless, stranded in a town where people are unwilling to lend a helping hand. The first verse expresses the singer's desire for help with basic needs like food and shelter, and the second verse highlights the contrast between the singer's situation and what a typical successful and content person might have. However, the chorus of "If I Were You" is an ironic twist on this comparison, urging the listener to do the opposite of what they have, in fact, done, which is to not help the singer in their time of need.
The third verse introduces a shift in tone and perspective as the singer essentially robs the listener, who has been unwilling to help them. The lyrics "But sir its not my way / To take from you / The things I havent earned" suggests a sense of reluctance or justification for the singer's actions, implying that they feel they have been driven to this extreme measure. The final declaration of "If I were you / Thats what I'd do" concludes the song with a final ironic twist, suggesting that the singer would act similarly if they were in the listener's position.
Overall, "If I Were You" is a commentary on the hard realities of poverty, desperation, and the lack of empathy or support that some people face in their lives. The song's somewhat ambiguous moral stance invites reflection and interpretation from the listener, garnering critical acclaim as a poignant and powerful insight into the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were you
If I were in your shoes
I would gladly loan to me
I would be willing to help myself out financially by loaning me some money
A dollar or two
A small amount of money
So I could eat yeah and maybe
So I could feed myself and possibly have enough to cover some other basic needs
Get just one good night of sleep
Be able to sleep soundly for just one night
But I'm not
However, I am not you and do not have the same resources or opportunities
And I'm stranded like a cast away in this town
I am stuck and isolated, like a person marooned on an island
And you seem so unwilling to help a fellow
You appear to be uninterested in or unwilling to assist someone in a difficult situation
When hes down
When he is struggling or experiencing hardship
If I were you
If I were in your position
Thats what I would do
That is what I would do differently
I wouldnt be out on these streets
I would not be homeless or wandering around aimlessly
The whole night through
For the entire duration of the night
Yeah I'd have a job
I would be employed
And a pretty wife that
And a spouse who is attractive or aesthetically pleasing
I could come home to
That I could return to at the end of the day
But I dont
However, that is not my current reality
And I have twenty cents left to my name
I have almost no money at all
And your the only one left here
And you are the only person remaining or available to me
That I have to blame
The only person I can fault or hold responsible
But sir its not my way
But I prefer not to take advantage of others or resort to deceitful behaviors
To take from you
To steal or borrow from you without permission
The things I havent earned
Things I have not worked for or rightfully obtained
Wish I could go back and heed
I regret not taking heed of past experiences or advice
The Lessons I have learned
The life lessons I have acquired over the course of my existence
But I Cant
Unfortunately, I cannot change the past or easily rectify my current situation
So you gladly put your money
Therefore, it would be appreciated if you would willingly give me some of your money
In this sack
Into this container or receptacle
Yes sir this thing is loaded
Yes, sir, this object is fully equipped or prepared for use
And I have to hammer back
And I must pull back the hammer of this weapon, indicating a dangerous or violent intent
If I were you
If I were in your position
Thats what I'd do
That is what I would do differently
Contributed by Maria D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jimbosgurl1
Just saw Chris Friday night in Ft Worth. Met Chris once in Gruene, Tx at Gruene Hall. Lady asked him to sign something for her and make it real sweet. He commented; "Honey I'm all out of sweet."
@KalenKennedy
This is the first Chris Knight song I ever heard years ago. Still completely mesmerizing.
@brianminnick4427
unless you've been in this mindset you wouldn't understand.but I've been here and pray for those who still are.
@JaneDoe-me5lp
Yes sir
@michaelbarton3183
Yes sir👍
@mungomaxwell2655
This song can put you there even if you haven't been there. That's what makes it so incredibly poignant. And I am not even much of a country music fan, but I am a Chris Knight fan.
@djdonald243
Same
@backcreekbushcraft
Just discovered Chris Knight, his songs can pull you into the story!!
@mrnobody6726
I wish i could go back,and head the lessons i have learned!
@turbofreakdotcom
Heard this on 89.3 KNON In Dallas driving to work this morning. Damn. From one musician to another, this is a great song.....