Second Hand Heart
Dwight Yoakam Lyrics


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She said when I trusted love I dreamed in color too
But memories turn black and white, at least mine do...
She said my brother, you know, he used to have this friend...
But this is now and that was then

It's better off just not to start
Than to have to watch us fall apart
All because of my second hand heart

I said if you could count up memories but only keep the best
You may not see how good they were without the rest
She said look I tried a lot
But I guess love it don't like me
Oh and by the way, all those tries?
Sure didn't come for free

So it's better off just not to start
Than to have to watch us fall apart
All because of my second hand heart

Second hand hearts
Second hand hearts
Second hand hearts
Second hand hearts
Are not just for parts

So I'll take away your sad luck baby
And you'll change mine
When hurt starts talkin' we'll say hey, ya know, we ain't got time
Then pick up all those small hopes back off the ground
'Cause after years of tears it's hard to say what's up or down

So if you will, I'll try to start
And take the chance that we might fall apart




To try and save our second hand hearts
She said when I trusted love I dreamed in color too...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dwight Yoakam's song, Second Hand Heart, seems to be a conversation between two people who are hesitant to start a romantic relationship. The first stanza talks about how memories turn black and white when one's trust in love is broken. The woman shares a personal anecdote about her brother's failed friendship. The chorus then emphasizes caution, stating that it is better not to start at all than to fall apart later. The second stanza has the man empathizing with the woman, telling her that happy memories are hard to appreciate without the bad ones. The woman confesses that she has tried and failed at love, and all her attempts have come at a cost.


The song's bridge implies a mutual agreement to take a chance and help each other mend their "second hand hearts." They vow to prioritize communication and pick up the positive aspects of their past. The last line mirrors the first, tying the story together with the idea of trust and love. One interpretation of the lyrics is that the man and the woman are both victims of their past relationships, and they are trying to navigate their fears while hoping for the best. The lyrics are simple, but the themes of trust, vulnerability, and hope make it profound.


Line by Line Meaning

She said when I trusted love I dreamed in color too
She used to have faith in love and it made her optimistic for a positive future.


But memories turn black and white, at least mine do...
But her past experiences in love have caused her to become cynical and jaded. Her recollection of them is lifeless and joyless.


She said my brother, you know, he used to have this friend...
She hints at a past love story which didn't end well, and it reminds her of someone she used to know.


But this is now and that was then
She indicates that the previous event is already in the past, and it's no use trying to change it or relive it.


It's better off just not to start
It's better to avoid starting a relationship at all rather than starting and experiencing another heartbreak.


Than to have to watch us fall apart
It's better to avoid investing emotions and time into a relationship only to witness it crash and burn.


All because of my second hand heart
It's better to avoid relationships that could be harmed by her damaged emotions and past traumas.


I said if you could count up memories but only keep the best
He shares his thought that if we only remembered fond memories and if they truly captured our hearts, we would not treasure them as much without any negatives.


You may not see how good they were without the rest
Removing the pain, and hardships of the memories may not allow a person to appreciate the true beauty of the memories.


She said look I tried a lot
She confesses that she's tried to find love before.


But I guess love it don't like me
But those attempts have all ended in heartache, convincing her that love is not meant for her.


Oh and by the way, all those tries?
And she adds that not only did those attempts all end badly, but she invested a lot of herself into them.


Sure didn't come for free
It cost her dearly - emotionally and otherwise - to make the attempts.


Second hand hearts
People who have already been emotionally hurt or damaged from past relationships.


Second hand hearts
People who have already been emotionally hurt or damaged from past relationships.


Second hand hearts
People who have already been emotionally hurt or damaged from past relationships.


Second hand hearts
People who have already been emotionally hurt or damaged from past relationships.


Are not just for parts
Their emotions and experiences are not merely components for future relationships to pass around or discard.


So I'll take away your sad luck baby
Dwight is willing to help his partner overcome any past traumas.


And you'll change mine
By inspiring him to become a better and more loving person.


When hurt starts talkin' we'll say hey, ya know, we ain't got time
In the face of pain and heartache, they will do their best to move forward together rather than dwelling on negative emotions.


Then pick up all those small hopes back off the ground
They will look for the silver linings and small comforts in each other, even amidst difficult times.


'Cause after years of tears it's hard to say what's up or down
After suffering so much heartache, it can be hard to determine which direction is forward and which is backward.


So if you will, I'll try to start
Dwight is willing to take the risk to try again at love.


And take the chance that we might fall apart
Even with the best intentions, they may not succeed at love, but he's willing to take the chance.


To try and save our second hand hearts
He believes that by trying to love again, they can help each other overcome their individual traumas and heal.




Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DWIGHT DAVID YOAKAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Nancy Gray Barrow

She said when I trusted love I dreamed in color too
But memories turn black and white, at least mine doโ€ฆ
She said my brother, you know, he used to have this friendโ€ฆ
But this is now and that was then

Itโ€™s better off just not to start
Than to have to watch us fall apart
All because of my second hand heart

I said if you could count up memories but only keep the best
You may not see how good they were without the rest
She said look I tried a lot
But I guess love it donโ€™t like me
Oh and by the way, all those tries?
Sure didnโ€™t come for free

So itโ€™s better off just not to start
Than to have to watch us fall apart
All because of my second hand heart

Second hand hearts
Second hand hearts
Second hand hearts
Second hand hearts
Are not just for parts

So Iโ€™ll take away your sad luck baby
And youโ€™ll change mine
When hurt starts talkinโ€™ weโ€™ll say hey, ya know, we ainโ€™t got time
Then pick up all those small hopes back off the ground
โ€™Cause after years of tears itโ€™s hard to say whatโ€™s up or down

So if you will, Iโ€™ll try to start
And take the chance that we might fall apart
To try and save our second hand hearts
She said when I trusted love I dreamed in color tooโ€ฆ <3



All comments from YouTube:

randy curiel

Dwight the last one that can save country music, regards from mexico

Nate Thornton

Youโ€™re damn right buddy greetings from America!

Rose Sallai

+randy curiel Probably you're right. Greetings from Hungary

BROTHER TRUTH

The great unique background vocals, change in tempos during the songs,, unpredictable guitar rythyms and drum beats, Dwight's richer vocals as he ages and sense of melody on these new recordings, makes this album a masterpiece. All the songs sound great.

aditi banerjee

So TRUE... Oh.. SO TRUE....

josy louya

๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’š

BROTHER TRUTH

The only thing that would enhance the recording would be to allow for a little more lead guitar breaks in the songs.

BROTHER TRUTH

@Barbara DeMatteisย 10-4 fellow truth warrior.

Barbara DeMatteis

@BROTHER TRUTH YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH.

Sophie Orchard

Another Great Track from Dwightโ€ผ๏ธSounds so so ๏ธDwight as Usual.The Best Voice in the Whole Wide World โ€ผ๏ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง

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