Cook's West Virginia-born mother played guitar and mandolin and sang on local radio shows. Her father, a Georgia native, also performed country music and served jail time for running moonshine. Upon his release, he and Elizabeth's mother played in local bands together, eventually marrying. Elizabeth, born in 1972, moved to Nashville in her twenties and quickly got a publishing deal. Demos recorded between 1997 and 2000 comprised her independently released debut album, "The Blue Album", which showcased her formidable songwriting ability and featured such well-known Music City musicians as Tim Carroll, Kenny Vaughan, and Rick Schell.
She made her major label debut in 2002 with "Hey Y'All". But following a corporate re-structuring that left the album virtually abandoned and stagnant on sales, Elizabeth fought back with her 2005 independent release "This Side Of The Moon", which received positive reviews.
Her album "Balls" was released May 2007. It was been her most successful album to date, thanks to glowing press reviews and significant video play for the song "Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be A Woman."
Her 2010 album Welder features appearances by an all-star roster of guests including Dwight Yoakam, Crowell and Buddy Miller, and continued her increasing popularity becoming her highest charting album in the U.S.
Her album "Gospel Plow" was released June 2012.
Cook hosts the morning radio show "Elizabeth Cook's Apron Strings" on the Sirius XM radio station Outlaw Country on Channel 60. The show airs weekdays from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM (Eastern Time). The show format is a mix of Americana, Outlaw, and Alt Country.
In 2016, Cook released her sixth studio album Exodus of Venus.
Official Site
He Got No Heart
Elizabeth Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He got not heart, that I know of
He got no heart
His mama forgot that part
He got no heart, that I know of
He reminded me of an old scarecrow
He takes my mind and moves it to and fro
I'd shoot him down if I knew where to aim
He got no heart, he got no heart
He got not heart, that I know of
He got no heart
His mama forgot that part
He got no heart, that I know of
Every time I get the nerve to leave
He shows up tugging at my sleeve
If he was right he'd cut me let me go
If I was sane I wouldn't love him so
He got no heart, he got no heart
He got no heart, that I know of
He got no heart
His mama forgot that part
He got no heart that I know of
The lyrics of Elizabeth Cook's song "He Got No Heart" is about a man who is heartless, and the persona's struggle to deal with his mistreatment. The repetition of the line "he got no heart" emphasizes the idea that this man is incapable of empathy and caring, leaving the persona feeling frustrated and hurt. The lyric "his mama forgot that part" may suggest that the persona views his heartlessness as a character flaw inherited from his upbringing, but the line following it, "that I know of," implies that the audience may never know the real reason for his lack of heart.
The persona compares the man's appearance to an old scarecrow, indicating that he is only a shell of a person, lacking the substance that the persona desires. She also comments on how his treatment of her is indifferent, as if she is just another person in his game. However, despite his faults, she is unable to detach herself from him completely, and the lines "every time I get the nerve to leave, he shows up tugging at my sleeve" suggest her difficulty in breaking free.
The song's structure, with its catchy chorus and straightforward lyrics, makes the audience empathize with the persona's feelings of helplessness and pain. It is a relatable experience for anyone who has been mistreated by someone, particularly those who present themselves as charming but prove ultimately to be heartless.
Line by Line Meaning
He got no heart, he got no heart
The person being referred to lacks any capacity for empathy or love
He got not heart, that I know of
As far as I am aware, the person in question has no heart
He got no heart
The individual being discussed seems to lack any emotional depth or connection to others
His mama forgot that part
It's possible that the person's deficiencies in emotional intelligence or empathy stem from inadequate upbringing or nurturing
He reminded me of an old scarecrow
The person being described seems empty or lifeless, like a mere shell of a person
He takes my mind and moves it to and fro
The individual in question is manipulative, and plays mind games or exerts mental control over others
He treats me like I play some kind of game
The person being referred to lacks authenticity in their relationships, and sees others as merely pawns to be played
I'd shoot him down if I knew where to aim
The artist feels threatened by the person being described, and wishes they knew how to defend themselves or push back
Every time I get the nerve to leave
The artist is in a toxic or harmful relationship, and struggles with the courage to break free
He shows up tugging at my sleeve
The person being described is emotionally manipulative, and tries to guilt or pressure the artist into staying
If he was right he'd cut me let me go
If the person being described were truly compassionate or kind, they would recognize the harm they are causing and allow the singer to leave
If I was sane I wouldn't love him so
The artist acknowledges that their attachment to this person is unhealthy or irrational
Contributed by Taylor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.