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.
Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For
Crystal Gayle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has she heard, like me, that slammin' door?
Did you leave for good or just get bored?
Why have you left the one you left me for?
Is she what…
You wanted?
Or has time…
Has your dream…
Love gone crazy?
And what brings…
You here tonight?
Why have you left the one you left me for?
Has she heard, like me, that slammin' door?
Did you leave for good or just get bored?
Why have you left the one you left me for?
I can see…
You're hurting.
But I'm not sure…
If it's real!
How can I…
Really hold you?
When I don't…
When I don't know how you feel?
Why have you left the one you left me for?
Has she heard, like me, that slammin' door?
Did you leave for good or just get bored?
Why have you left the one you left me for?
Okay, come on in!
You be my lover!
I'll be your friend!
You don't have to tell me, and I won't ask again!
Why have you left the one you left me for?
Has she heard, like me, that slammin' door?
Did you leave for good or just get bored?
Why have you left the one you left me for?
Why have you left the one you left me for?
Has she heard, like me, that slammin' door?
Did you leave for good or just get bored?
Why have you left the one you left me for?
Why have you left the one you left me for?
Why have you left the one you left me for?
The song "Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For" by Crystal Gayle is about a woman who is trying to make sense of her ex-lover leaving her for another woman. She wonders if the new woman has experienced the same heartbreak as she has, or if her ex-lover has just become bored with his new relationship. The singer questions whether her ex-lover truly wanted the new woman, or if the passage of time had changed his mind. The song describes the confusion and pain that comes with a sudden breakup, and the difficulty of moving on when one still has feelings for the person who left.
Through the lyrics of the song, the singer conveys uncertainty and confusion about her ex's actions. She is not sure if he genuinely wants to be with the new woman or if he is simply seeking temporary comfort. The singer is also unsure whether she should take her ex-lover back into her life or move on.
One interesting aspect of this song is that Crystal Gayle drew inspiration from her own experiences. She was going through a divorce at the time she wrote the song and could relate to the heartache and confusion that come with a sudden breakup. Additionally, "Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For" was a crossover hit, reaching No. 1 on both the country and adult contemporary charts. The song cemented Gayle's place in country music as one of the most successful and respected female artists of the 1980s.
Line by Line Meaning
Why have you left the one you left me for?
The singer is trying to understand why the person left the one they previously left her for.
Has she heard, like me, that slammin' door?
The singer wonders if the person's new partner has also experienced the hurt of being left behind, just like she did.
Did you leave for good or just get bored?
The singer is questioning whether the person is truly gone for good or if they simply lost interest in their previous partner.
Is she what you wanted?
The artist is asking if the person's new partner is everything they hoped for.
Or has time changed your mind?
The artist is considering if time has made the person change their mind about who they want to be with.
Has your dream love gone crazy?
The singer is suggesting that perhaps the person's ideal version of love has become distorted or unrealistic.
And what brings you here tonight?
The singer is curious about why the person has come back into their life.
I can see you're hurting.
The artist can tell that the person is in pain.
But I'm not sure if it's real!
Despite recognizing the person's hurt, the artist is unsure if their pain is genuine due to their history of leaving.
How can I really hold you?
The artist is grappling with the idea of being there for the person emotionally when they have a track record of leaving.
When I don't know how you feel?
The singer acknowledges that they don't have a clear understanding of what the person is going through or what they want from the relationship.
Okay, come on in! You be my lover!
Despite the uncertainty, the artist is willing to invite the person back into their life.
I'll be your friend!
The singer suggests starting off as friends before rekindling the romantic aspect of their relationship.
You don't have to tell me, and I won't ask again!
The singer is willing to accept the person without prying too much about their reasons for leaving or returning.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK TRUE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fabián Ferrada
She's probably the most beautiful woman i ever seen, and she's natural, that's very important to me. Her hair is amazing as well.
Jessica Elswick
I love daddy please come home because it brings back memories of my dad yeah my cousin has something she her name is Maddie metal in catchment name and the other ones name I just love my family I love my family look older than baby please come home I want to say so here it can get him to talk to girls haha
Ellel E.
Such powerful lyrics.
Daisy Sano
Love the voice, the beauty, the hair, everything ♥️
cwesley2005
If humanity could personify beauty in a 3 minute timeframe it is crystal gayle in her prime as expressed here.
Kevin jones
Personify the 1970s...
Gary Duensing
Haven’t heard this in years… great music!
StayInAlive
This instantly brings me back in time, I'm 10 listening to this on the radio, too young to know anything about relationships. 😉
Rhonda Boncutter
I lived the life, what this song is about! I got hurt! But , I love this song!
shaftpunk
Anytime I’m flipping through records in a thrift store and I come across one of her albums I have to pause and admire that face for a bit before moving on.