Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues
Dwight Yoakam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said they're movin' to L.A.
There's not a soul I know around,
Everybody's leavin' town
Some caught a freight, some caught a plane
Find the sunshine leave the rain
They said this town will waste your time
[Chorus:]
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good Time Charlie's got the blues
Good Time Charlie's got the blues
why'know my heart keeps tellin' me
You're not a kid at 33
why'play around why'lose your wife,
why'play too long, you lose your life
Got my pills t'ease the pain,
Can't find a thing to stop the rain
I'd love t'try and settle down,
But everybody's leavin' town
Chorus
The song "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" by Dwight Yoakam is a lament for a time in life when the bloom has faded from the rose. The song sets the scene with the opening lines, "Everybody's gone away, said they're movin' to L.A. There's not a soul I know around, everybody's leavin' town." The singer, Good Time Charlie, is left behind in a town that no longer holds any appeal for him. He is unable to connect with anyone and has become disillusioned with his current life. He sings about how some people have left by freight, others by airplane, all trying to find escape from the rain and find the sun. They left behind a town that, as the song goes, will waste your time.
Despite his sadness and regret, Good Time Charlie has found solace in pills to ease his pain. He knows he should settle down but feels that everyone is leaving town, so there is no point. The chorus goes, "Some gotta win, some gotta lose. Good Time Charlie's got the blues." He feels that he is one of those who has lost, and the sadness has become a part of him. The lyrics suggest that Good Time Charlie is no longer a kid at 33, and he needs to play the game of life with care. The song is a warning that being too carefree and reckless can lead to loneliness and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's gone away,
Everyone has left this place,
Said they're movin' to L.A.
They've mentioned that L.A. is their new destination
There's not a soul I know around,
There's nobody that I know here
Everybody's leavin' town
Everyone is deserting the town
Some caught a freight, some caught a plane
Some left by freight, while others flew away
Find the sunshine leave the rain
They hoped to leave behind hardships and find happiness
They said this town will waste your time
They claimed staying here was pointless
Guess they're right ---- it's wasting mine
I agree with them, it's wasting my time too
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Some people achieve success while others do not
Good Time Charlie's got the blues
Even though Charlie always had a good time, he feels melancholic now
why'know my heart keeps tellin' me
My heart keeps saying to me
You're not a kid at 33
You're not young anymore, even though you're just 33
why'play around why'lose your wife,
Playing around will lead you to lose your wife
why'play too long, you lose your life
If you keep playing for too long, you'll end up wasting your life
Got my pills t'ease the pain,
I have pills to ease my pain
Can't find a thing to stop the rain
But I can't stop the sadness
I'd love t'try and settle down,
I want to try and settle down
But everybody's leavin' town
But as everyone is leaving, there's no point in settling down
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Danny O'Keefe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Susan
on Fast As You
Who is Sookie? I gotsta know!