Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues
Dwight Yoakam Lyrics


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Everybody's gone away,
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
Guess they're right ---- it's wasting mine

[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

Overall Meaning

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
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