Led by Shirley, the original group which came to the attention of Atlantic president Rick Blackburn, consisted of guitarist Michael Lamb, Gates Nichols on pedal steel, keyboard player Chris McDaniel, Wayne Secrest on bass and Mark DuFresne on drums. Lamb left the group in 1995 and was replaced by Jimmy Dormire.
Despite Confederate Railroad's outward appearance as a tougher-than-leather Southern rock band, it was a reflective ballad which spoke of two old reliable loves which vaulted the group into stardom. "Jesus and Mama" entered the country chart during the warm months of 1992, and hit the Top Five that autumn.
You Don't Know What It's Like
Confederate Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where your love used to be
I've been fallin′ apart
Since you walked out on me
You just can't understand
What you're putting me through
You don′t know what it′s like
To lose someone like you
There's a big empty space
Next to me on our bed
I just lie here awake
Goin′ out of my head
Barely just gettin' by
Is the best I can do
You don′t know what it's like
To lose someone like you
You′re off somewhere
Painting the town
So unaware
How I'm breakin' down
You say I′ll be alright
But that don′t make it true
You don't know what it′s like
To lose someone like you
You're off somewhere
Painting the town
So unaware
How I′m breakin' down
You say I′ll be alright
But that don't make it true
You don't know what it′s like
To lose someone like you
You don′t know what it's like
To lose someone like you
The lyrics to "You Don't Know What It's Like" by Confederate Railroad delve into the deep emotional impact of heartbreak and loss. The singer expresses the profound void left in their heart where their partner's love once resided, highlighting the pain of falling apart since the partner walked away. The hole in their heart symbolizes the emotional emptiness and the struggle to cope with the aftermath of the breakup. The desperate plea for understanding underscores the singer's profound sense of grief and the difficulty of moving on from the relationship.
The imagery of a big empty space next to the singer on the bed emphasizes the loneliness and emptiness they feel in the absence of their partner. The sleepless nights and tormenting thoughts reflect the turmoil and anguish of trying to navigate life without the one they loved. The line "Barely just gettin' by, Is the best I can do" conveys a sense of resignation and the singer's struggle to simply function in the wake of the loss. The overwhelming sense of devastation is palpable as the singer grapples with the painful reality of being without their loved one.
The lyrics also touch upon the sense of abandonment and betrayal felt by the singer as they envision their partner out enjoying themselves while they are left to deal with the heartache and emotional turmoil. The contrast between the partner's seemingly carefree attitude and the singer's inner turmoil highlights the disconnect in understanding and the deep emotional impact of the breakup. The reassurances from the partner that "I'll be alright" ring hollow as the singer grapples with the profound sense of loss and longing for what once was.
The repetition of the refrain "You don't know what it's like to lose someone like you" underscores the singer's belief that their partner cannot truly comprehend the depth of their pain and the impact of losing such a significant relationship. The chorus encapsulates the heart-wrenching realization that the partner's absence has left a profound void in the singer's life, and no amount of reassurance or optimism can fill that void. The poignant lyrics convey the raw emotions of heartbreak, loneliness, and the struggle to come to terms with the reality of moving on from a love lost.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a hole in my heart
I feel a deep emotional pain from losing your love
Where your love used to be
I miss the love and presence you once provided in my life
I've been fallin' apart
I have been struggling and feeling broken
Since you walked out on me
Ever since you left, I have been feeling lost and hurt
You just can't understand
You are unable to comprehend the pain I am going through
What you're putting me through
The emotional turmoil and sadness I am experiencing because of your absence
You don't know what it's like
You do not understand the feeling of losing someone like you
To lose someone like you
I am grieving the loss of someone as special as you in my life
There's a big empty space
A significant void exists now where you used to be in my life
Next to me on our bed
I feel your absence deeply, especially when lying in our bed alone
I just lie here awake
I struggle to sleep, consumed by thoughts of you and the emptiness
Goin' out of my head
I am overwhelmed by emotions and cannot think straight
Barely just gettin' by
I am barely managing to cope with the pain and loneliness
Is the best I can do
I am trying my hardest to push through, but it is difficult
You're off somewhere
You are away from me, living your life without me
Painting the town
Enjoying yourself elsewhere while I am struggling to cope
So unaware
You are oblivious to the depth of my emotional pain
How I'm breakin' down
I am falling apart emotionally without you by my side
You say I'll be alright
Your words of comfort do not ease the pain I am feeling
But that don't make it true
Despite your reassurance, the pain of losing you remains
You don't know what it's like
You cannot imagine the depth of sorrow I am experiencing
To lose someone like you
Losing someone as special as you has been incredibly difficult for me
Writer(s): Don Cook, Chris Waters
Contributed by Olivia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.