Crystal Gayle (born Brenda Gail Webb January 9, 1951) is an American countr… Read Full Bio ↴Crystal Gayle (born Brenda Gail Webb January 9, 1951) is an American country music singer, and is the sister of legendary country singer Loretta Lynn and distant cousin of singer Patty Loveless. In the late 70s and 80s, she had great pop crossover success with "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue", "Talking In Your Sleep" and "Half the Way". She is also famous for her nearly floor-length long hair and was voted one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world in 1983.

While Gayle is the younger sister of Loretta Lynn, her musical sound is very different from Lynn's. Gayle's career began as country music moved towards a more pop-oriented sound in the 1970s, as exemplified by such performers as Lynn Anderson and Barbara Mandrell. Gayle's music reflects the modern Nashville sound.

Old Boyfriends
Crystal Gayle Lyrics

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Old boyfriends
Lost in the pocket of your overcoat
Like burned out light bulbs on a Ferris Wheel
Old boyfriends

You remember the kinds of cars they drove
Parking in an orange grove
He fell in love, you see

With someone that I used to be

[Chorus:]
Though I very seldom think of him
Nevertheless sometimes a mannequin's
Blue summer dress can make the window like a dream
Ah, but now those dreams belong to someone else
Now they talk in their sleep
In a drawer where I keep all my

Old boyfriends
Remember when you were burning for them
Why do you keep turning them into
Old boyfriends

They look you up when they're in town
To see if they can still burn you down
He fell in love, you see
With someone that I used to be

[Chorus]

Old boyfriends
Turn up every time it rains
Fall out of the pages in a magazine
Old boyfriends

Girls fill up the bars every spring
Dark places for remembering
Old boyfriends

All my old boyfriends
Old boyfriends

Overall Meaning

In Crystal Gayle's song Old Boyfriends, the lyrics refer to former romantic partners that the singer has had in her past. The song begins with a metaphorical description of these "old boyfriends" being "lost in the pocket of your overcoat, like burned out light bulbs on a Ferris Wheel." This image conjures feelings of nostalgia and wistfulness as the singer thinks back on these relationships that have since ended.

The lyrics then describe the memories that come flooding back when she thinks about these old flames - "You remember the kinds of cars they drove, parking in an orange grove". This line is particularly evocative as it depicts a specific moment in time and place, indicating that these memories are still very vivid for the singer. She then goes on to say that "He fell in love, you see, with someone that I used to be", emphasizing how much she has changed since these relationships.

The chorus of the song continues to explore the theme of memory and nostalgia; the singer is forced to confront the fact that although she rarely thinks about these old boyfriends, certain triggers - like a mannequin wearing a blue summer dress - can bring back vivid memories of her past love affairs. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "Old boyfriends", as the singer reflects on how these former relationships will always be a part of her, even if she has moved on from them.

Line by Line Meaning

Old boyfriends
Reflecting upon past loves and relationships.

Lost in the pocket of your overcoat
Memories of old relationships that are buried deep in the mind.

Like burned out light bulbs on a Ferris Wheel
Relationships that have lost their spark and have ended.

Old boyfriends
Continuing to think about past relationships.

You remember the kinds of cars they drove
Recalling specific details and memories of past relationships.

Parking in an orange grove
Remembering specific locations and events in past relationships.

He fell in love, you see With someone that I used to be
Current partner falling in love with a past version of oneself.

[Chorus:] Though I very seldom think of him Nevertheless sometimes a mannequin's Blue summer dress can make the window like a dream Ah, but now those dreams belong to someone else Now they talk in their sleep In a drawer where I keep all my
Even though one rarely thinks of past lovers, certain triggers (such as a dress) can bring back memories. However, those memories and dreams now belong to someone else.

Remember when you were burning for them Why do you keep turning them into Old boyfriends
Reflecting upon past intense feelings of love and questioning why those relationships have become old memories.

They look you up when they're in town To see if they can still burn you down
Old lovers reaching out to rekindle old flames.

All my old boyfriends
Concluding the song with the continuous thoughts of past relationships.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: TOM WAITS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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