Raye first attracted Nashville's attention as the lead vocalist on a string of independent singles in the 1980s. Billed as The Wrays, the act released a couple of singles on Mercury Records in the mid-80s before breaking up. Epic Records signed Raye as a solo act in 1990. A year later, the nostalgic ballad Love, Me hit No. 1, and by 2000, he charted 21 Top 10 hits for Epic. His first four studio albums, as well as his Greatest Hits, have been certified platinum. His best-known hits include Little Rock, about a recovering alcoholic, and I Think About You, about watching his teenage daughter grow up.
Not That Different
Collin Raye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're from two separate worlds
And he admitted she was partly right
But in his heart's defense he told her
What they had in common
Was strong enough to bond them for life
He said look behind your own soul
And the person that you'll see
I laugh, I love, I hope, I try
I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry
And I know you do the same things, too
So we're really not that different, me and you
She could hardly argue
With his pure and simple logic
But logic never could convince a heart
She had always dreamed of loving someone more exotic
And he just didn't seem to fit the part
So she searched for greener pastures
But never could forget
What he whispered when she left
I laugh, I love, I hope, I try
I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry
And I know you do the same things, too
So we're really not that different, me and you
Was it time or was it truth
Maybe both lead her back to his door
As her tears fell at his feet
She didn't say "I love you"
What she said meant even more
I laugh, I love, I hope, I try
I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry
And I know you do the same things, too
So we're really not that different, me and you
Collin Raye's "Not That Different" is a heart-warming ballad about connection and understanding. The song opens up with a woman who tells the man she loves that they are too different and come from two separate worlds. The man concedes that while she is somewhat right, what they have in common is strong enough to bond them together for life. He tells her to look within and that person would remind her of him. The man goes on to explain that regardless of their upbringing and life experiences, they both possess the same inner feelings and emotions. They both laugh, love, hope, try, hurt, need, fear, and cry. The song tries to express that as much as people may appear to be different, we are all fundamentally the same.
The second verse expresses the woman's feelings towards the man. She believes that they are too different and that she would be better suited with someone more exotic. She searches for greener pastures but never forgets what the man whispered to her when she left. In the end, love brings her back to the man as she realizes that time and truth lead her back to his door. The song ends with the woman's tears falling at the man's feet, and she speaks the most emotional line in the song, "I didn't say I love you, but what I said meant even more," indicating the depth of her feelings for him.
Overall, the song tries to teach us that what we share in common is always more significant than what divides us. Through its beautiful lyrics and melody, it expresses the idea of looking within ourselves to find the similarities we share with others rather than focusing on the differences that set us apart from them.
Line by Line Meaning
She said we're much too different
She believes they are incompatible due to their different backgrounds and lifestyles.
We're from two separate worlds
Their social and cultural upbringings are vastly different.
And he admitted she was partly right
He acknowledges that there are some differences between them.
But in his heart's defense he told her
He tries to justify their relationship and prove that their love can overcome their differences.
What they had in common
He highlights the similarities they share as a couple.
Was strong enough to bond them for life
Their love for each other is enough to keep them together forever despite their differences.
He said look behind your own soul
He encourages her to see past exterior differences and understand their shared humanity.
And the person that you'll see
The true self that she will discover will be similar to his true self.
Just might remind you of me
Their innermost traits and emotions are similar.
I laugh, I love, I hope, I try
Basic human emotions and experiences that everyone shares.
I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry
Human vulnerabilities that connect us all.
And I know you do the same things, too
He believes that she shares these emotions and experiences as well.
She could hardly argue
She agrees with his perspective.
With his pure and simple logic
He presents a straightforward and truthful statement.
But logic never could convince a heart
Despite using logic, she still struggles with her conflicted feelings.
She had always dreamed of loving someone more exotic
Her ideal partner was someone who was different and unconventional.
And he just didn't seem to fit the part
In her eyes, he did not meet her expectations of someone 'exotic.'
So she searched for greener pastures
She pursued other options hoping to find someone more compatible.
But never could forget
She could not shake off the memories and emotions connected to him.
What he whispered when she left
His words still lingered in her mind and heart.
Was it time or was it truth
She questions whether returning to him was a result of time passed or of the truth of their love.
Maybe both lead her back to his door
Both time passing and their love for each other resulted in her return.
As her tears fell at his feet
She shows genuine remorse and emotion for leaving him.
She didn't say 'I love you'
She does not use spoken words to express her love for him.
What she said meant even more
Her actions and what she did say conveyed her love for him more deeply than saying 'I love you.'
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOIE SCOTT, KAREN TAYLOR-GOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Giffey
The message of this song should be heard by everyone. That was the great thing about 90's country. It told universal truths.
Amy Hulett
Perfect description of 90s country music.
cilla stricklnd
THAT'S RIGHT!
Kenny Greenwood
@Rudy Thompson Huh?
Brandon Srubar
I agree
chinaboytag
One of the most underrated singers of all time. One of the most misunderstood writers. And one of the best artists of all time.
James Maize
Love, "Not That Different". One of my top 20 all time favorite songs.
Matt Huston
One of the best singers and still sounds the same in 2020 he was definitely underated that voice of his and the storytelling.I cant hardly listen to today's county it just lacks the storytelling or im just getting old lol.
Rick Nelson
One of my all time favorites. The depth of feeling in this song is unparalleled in country music. A great artist!
Jeff Lloyd
@James Maize q1