Throughout the sixties, seventies, and eighties Dottie pumped out chart toppers like no other. she was selling out concerts, selling millions of records, staring in movies, winning Grammies, Clieos and any other kind of awards you can think of. There is no doubt that the little girl from Tennessee came a long way. Dottie West earned herself the respect of everyone in the music industry and countless fans. If not for her music, most people remember her for either her stage presence or overall good nature. She was always looking out for others and going out of her way to do things for fans, family and friends. Despite Dottie's constant chart presence and sold out concerts her foundation fell out from under her when she discovered that she was a victim of a sneaky accountant and was overpowered by the IRS to give up all she owned. And ALL is ALL. The list of Dottie's personal momentous included the rights to all her music (I believe she wrote well over 400). All Dottie did was look out for others and this is how she was treated...disgusting if you ask me! But Dottie had dignity and started to rebuild her empire.
On august 30, 1991 Dottie was scheduled to appear at The Grand Old Opry. Her car broke down and, determined to keep her promise, she flagged down a passing driver and got a ride. On the way the driver lost control of the car and crashed. Battered, beaten and suffering from the wreck, Dottie pulled the driver from the car herself. She died due to injuries from the accident days later while in the hospital.
A Lesson in Leavin'
Dottie West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody's gonna give you back what you've been givin'
And I hope that I'm around
To watch 'em knock you down
It's like you to love 'em and leave 'em
Just like you loved me and left me
It's like you to do that sort of thing, over and over again
I hear you've been askin' about me
From some of my friends
Well, you'd better believe
I'm not goin' through that again
You're the kind of man
A woman thinks she can change
Oh, but the only thing changin' is my way of thinkin'
And I'm thinkin' that maybe someday
Somebody's gonna give you a lesson in losin'
Somebody's gonna do to you what you've been doin'
And I hope that I'm around
To watch 'em knock you down
Somebody's gonna give you a lesson in hurtin'
Somebody's gonna leave you with your fire burnin'
And no way to put it out, baby, there ain't no doubt
You're a fool-hearted man
Yeah, you're the kind of man
A woman thinks she can change
But the only thing changin' is my way of thinkin'
And I'm thinkin' that maybe someday
Somebody's gonna give you a lesson in leavin'
Somebody's gonna give you back what you've been givin'
And I hope that I'm around
To watch 'em knock you down
It's like you to love 'em and leave 'em
Just like you loved me and left me
It's like you to do that sort of thing, over and over again
You're a fool-hearted man
Somebody's gonna give you a lesson in leavin'
Somebody's gonna give you back what you've been givin'
And I hope that I'm around
To watch 'em knock you down
Ohh, it's like you to love 'em and leave 'em
Just like you loved me and left me
It's like you to do that sort of thing, over and over again
You're a fool-hearted man
Oh, a fool-hearted man
Oh, whoa
Oh, a fool-hearted man
Oh, whoa
Oh, a fool-hearted man
In Dottie West's song "A Lesson in Leavin'," the singer is warning her ex-partner that someone is going to give him a taste of his own medicine. He has a reputation for loving and leaving women, including the singer. She hopes that she will be there to watch him fall when karma finally catches up to him. She knows that he has been asking about her and warns him that she will not put up with his behavior again. She recognizes that he is the kind of man that women think they can change, but she has come to the realization that the only thing that is changing is her way of thinking. She hopes that someday someone will teach him a lesson in leaving like he has done to so many others.
The lyrics of "A Lesson in Leavin'" convey the feeling of a woman who has been through heartbreak and has finally come to terms with the reality of the relationship. She knows that her ex-partner is a foolish and heartless man who will continue to hurt others, but she has moved on from him. She is not bitter, but rather realistic about the fact that he will eventually get what he deserves. The song showcases the pain and growth that come with breakups and the importance of standing up for oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody's gonna give you a lesson in leavin'
You will reap what you sow regarding leaving people behind.
Somebody's gonna give you back what you've been givin'
You will face the same treatment that you've inflicted on others.
And I hope that I'm around
To watch 'em knock you down
I hope to witness you experience the consequences of your actions.
It's like you to love 'em and leave 'em
You have a pattern of loving people and then abandoning them.
Just like you loved me and left me
You treated me the same way you've treated others; you loved me and then left me.
It's like you to do that sort of thing, over and over again
You have repeatedly performed this behavior without any consideration for others.
You're a fool-hearted man
You are ignorant of the harm you cause and the repercussions you'll face.
I hear you've been askin' about me
From some of my friends
Well, you'd better believe
I'm not goin' through that again
You have been inquiring about me, but I won't allow you to hurt me like you did before.
You're the kind of man
A woman thinks she can change
Women often try to alter your behavior, but you remain unchanged.
Oh, but the only thing changin' is my way of thinkin'
And I'm thinkin' that maybe someday
I am changing my perspective and considering that you may one day learn a difficult lesson.
Somebody's gonna give you a lesson in losin'
Somebody's gonna do to you what you've been doin'
One day, someone will teach you what it is like to lose and hurt the way you have been doing to others.
And I hope that I'm around
To watch 'em knock you down
I still hope to witness when you face the consequences of your actions.
Somebody's gonna give you a lesson in hurtin'
One day, someone will hurt you as you have been hurting others.
Somebody's gonna leave you with your fire burnin'
You will understand the pain of unrequited love, fatelessness and unclear emotions.
And no way to put it out, baby, there ain't no doubt
You're a fool-hearted man
You will be helpless to deal with the pain and realization that comes with your actions, and you will continue to act foolishly.
Yeah, you're the kind of man
A woman thinks she can change
Women often try to change you, but you remain stubborn and unchanged.
But the only thing changin' is my way of thinkin'
The only thing changing is my perspective on you.
And I'm thinkin' that maybe someday
I am starting to believe that someday you will learn your lesson.
Ohh, it's like you to love 'em and leave 'em
Just like you loved me and left me
It's like you to do that sort of thing, over and over again
You're a fool-hearted man
You will continue to repeat the same cycle of loving and leaving people, earning the consequences of your actions, and being labeled a foolish man.
Oh, a fool-hearted man
Oh, whoa
Oh, a fool-hearted man
Oh, whoa
Oh, a fool-hearted man
The chorus repeats the title of the song, emphasizing the theme that the artist is labeling the antagonist as a foolish man.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brent Maher, Randy Goodrum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1980 {April 19th} Billboard Magazine published it's Hot Country Singles chart for the week ending April 19th, 1980...
And for the first time in Country Singles chart history the Top 5 positions were held by female artists::
#1. "It's Like We Never Said Goodbye" by Crystal Gayle
#2. "A Lesson in Leavin'" by Dottie West
#3. "Are You on the Road to Lovin' Me Again" by Debby Boone
#4. "Beneath Still Waters" by Emmylou Harris
#5. "Two Story House" by Tammy Wynette (duet with George Jones)
The following week Ms. West bumped Ms. Gayle out of the top spot, then Ms. Boone replaced Ms. West at #1, and finally Ms. Harris then moved into the #1 position {all four records spent one week each at #1}...
"Two Story House" just missed reaching #1, it peaked at #2...
Pam Hicks
I love this song . Dottie West was a great singer.
Andrew
Hello 👋
Lena Adams
Dottie is speaking the truth. Love this song every time it comes on Willie's Roadhouse.
David Standing Crow
Willie's Roadhouse?
MrBigrobmjca3
Jo Dee has great music, but this one belongs to Dottie West hands down!!
Cyndy Smeets
So true
Storytime with gammy
❤
David Irby
Jo Dee's version was an homage to Dottie.
Arm Neilstrong
100%.. it lost everything that Dotties is
Erika Mccranie
@kevykev38 you don't update country. The older, the better.