Conway Twitty (1 September 1933 – 5 June 1993), born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, … Read Full Bio ↴Conway Twitty (1 September 1933 – 5 June 1993), born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was one of the United States' most successful artists of the 20th century. Twitty had the most singles (55) reach Number 1 on various national music charts. Conway Twitty's across the board totals were greater than that of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, and Garth Brooks. Most notably known as a country music singer, Twitty also enjoyed success in early Rock and Roll, R&B, and Pop music (among other genres). He teamed up with Loretta Lynn to form one of country music's most successful business partnerships.

Origin of Jenkins Stage Name--------- Jenkins felt that his real name wasn't marketable, and he changed his show business name in 1957. (Harold Lloyd Jenkins would always remain his legal name, however). Looking at a road map, he spotted Conway, Arkansas and Twitty, Texas. Thus, he went with the professional name of "Conway Twitty".[citation needed]

Alternatively, Jenkins met a Richmond, VA, man named W. Conway Twitty Jr. through Jenkins' manager in a New York City restaurant. The manager served in the army with the real Conway Twitty. Later, the manager suggested to Jenkins that he take the name as his stage name because it had a ring to it. The Richmond Conway Twitty subsequently recorded the song, "What's in a Name But Trouble," in the mid-1960s, lamenting the loss of his name to Jenkins. The flip side of the 45 RPM record was "The Purple, Purple People Eater, Eater." (The more well known version of Purple People Eater, however, now having sold over 100,000,000 copies, was recorded by Sheb Wooley.)

I Don't Want To Be With Me
Conway Twitty Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

People say, when I walk by
There he goes a lucky guy
He got a big long car, a lotta money too
But I don't wanna be with me
If you're not with me too

Fancy clothes, diamond rings
Pretty house, yeah, all these things

People say, "He can't be blue"
But I don't wanna be with me
If you're not with me too

My fancy clothes, my diamond rings
Pretty house, yeah, all these things
I'd give them all up for you
'Cause I don't wanna be with me
If you're not with me too

No, I don't wanna be with me
If you're not with me too

Overall Meaning

In Conway Twitty's song "I Don't Want To Be With Me," the singer expresses his discontent with his own life despite the outward appearances of success he may exhibit. People view him as a lucky guy with a big car and a lot of money, but these things hold no value to him if the person he loves is not there by his side. He has fancy clothes, diamond rings, and a pretty house, yet he would give them all up in a heartbeat if it means being with the one he loves. He acknowledges that he cannot be truly happy if his partner is not with him, and that his wealth and possessions are of no consequence if he is alone.

The overarching theme of the song is the importance of love and companionship over material possessions and status. The singer recognizes that he may have a life many people would envy, but nothing compares to the companionship of someone he loves. The song speaks to the human desire for love and connection, and how even the richest and most successful of individuals are not immune to these longings.

Line by Line Meaning

People say, when I walk by
When I pass, people often comment on my apparent good fortune

There he goes a lucky guy
They refer to me as the epitome of good luck

He got a big long car, a lotta money too
Perhaps the big car and wealth herald my position as a successful man

But I don't wanna be with me
In spite of it all, I don't cherish the idea of being alone with myself

If you're not with me too
It's only with a companion that I find joy and contentment

Fancy clothes, diamond rings
My wardrobe includes designer clothes and expensive jewelry

Pretty house, yeah, all these things
Additionally, I have a beautiful and expensive residence

People say, "He can't be blue"
Others can't imagine me as anything less than happy and fulfilled

I'd give them all up for you
But none of these things matter compared to being with the person I love

'Cause I don't wanna be with me
I have all these possessions and status, but without love, they are meaningless

If you're not with me too
Without you, my success feels hollow and unimportant