In 1963, David Houston rose to national stardom with the single "Mountain of Love"; the song, which was different from the tune made famous by composer Harold Dorman, Johnny Rivers and Charley Pride, rose to No. 2 on Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart. Another song, 1965's "Livin' in a House Full of Love" did just as well.
1966 brought Houston's breakthrough smash, "Almost Persuaded". Having nothing to do with the Philip Paul Bliss hymn of the same title (based on Acts 26:28 (KJV)), the tale of a married man managing to fight off a temptress he had just met in a tavern quickly rocketed to No. 1 that August, eventually spending nine weeks atop Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart. In the 40 years since "Almost Persuaded" became a country standard, no song has equaled or bettered this feat. However, two country songs have spent eight weeks at No. 1: Lonestar's "Amazed," which topped the chart from July 17 to September 4, 1999; and "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett, from August 9 to September 20 and then October 4, 2003 (in between "Somewhere's" seventh and eighth weeks at #1, on September 27, 2003, Dierks Bentley's "What Was I Thinkin' " topped the chart).
Houston was awarded 2 Grammy Awards for Best Country & Western Recording and Best Country & Western Performance, Male in 1967 for "Almost Persuaded."
"Almost Persuaded" began a string of Top 5 David Houston singles that lasted through 1973. Included in the bunch were six more No. 1's – "With One Exception" and "You Mean the World to Me" (1967); "Have a Little Faith" and "Already It's Heaven" (1968); "Baby, Baby (I Know You're a Lady)" (1970); and 1967's "My Elusive Dreams" duet with Tammy Wynette.
In later years, Houston dueted with Barbara Mandrell on several of her early hits, most notably 1970's "After Closing Time" and 1974's "I Love You, I Love You."
David's last Top 10 country hit came in 1974 with "Can't You Feel It".
David Houston died of a brain aneurysm on November 30, 1993, less than two weeks before his 58th birthday.
That's Why I Cry
David Houston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't help it and I'm blue mem'ries won't pull me through that's why I cry
The world you're in has taken you from me
I know I'll never hold you way I used to do when I feel another's lips I think of you
Until the day I die I'll go on loving you
And that's just why there's tears,
That's why I cry
In David Houston's song "That's Why I Cry," the lyrics depict a heartbroken individual who is constantly in a state of sadness and shedding tears. The opening line, "Why are there tears in my eyes all the time," sets the tone for the song, suggesting that the singer is deeply affected by their emotions. The following line, "I can't help it and I'm blue, memories won't pull me through, that's why I cry," reflects the singer's inability to control their sorrow, indicating that they are unable to find solace in their memories.
The next verse reveals that the reason for their teary state is the separation from their loved one. The singer acknowledges that the world the person they love is in has taken them away, and they will never be able to embrace them as they once did. The lyrics, "When I feel another's lips, I think of you, until the day I die, I'll go on loving you," further emphasize the deep longing and connection the singer feels for their beloved, despite the physical absence.
The repetition of the phrase "And that's just why there's tears, that's why I cry" at the end reinforces the central idea of the song. The tears symbolize the ongoing pain and emotional turmoil caused by the separation and unresolved love for another person.
Line by Line Meaning
Why are there tears in my eyes all the time
I constantly have tears in my eyes
I can't help it and I'm blue mem'ries won't pull me through that's why I cry
I cannot control my emotions and I feel down, memories of you are not enough to make me feel better, which is why I cry
The world you're in has taken you from me
The world you are in has separated us
I know I'll never hold you way I used to do when I feel another's lips I think of you
I am aware that I will never embrace you like before, every time I kiss someone else, I am reminded of you
Until the day I die I'll go on loving you
I will continue to love you until my last breath
And that's just why there's tears,
And that is the reason why tears are present,
That's why I cry
That is why I cry
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY SHERRILL, DAVID HOUSTON, TILLMAN FRANKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edward Peterson
What a great voice.
Ruth Boykin
Awesome song by David Houston from a great album. Thanks Tom.
Lorne Bain
Works...