When The Sun Goes Down
GaryClarkJr Lyrics

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In the evening, mama
When the sun goes down
In the evening, baby
When the sun goes down
Well, ain't it lonesome
Ain't it lonesome, babe
When your love is not around?
When the sun goes down

Last night, I laid a-sleeping
I was thinking to myself
Last night, I laid a-sleeping
I was thinking to myself
Well, what I been thinking
Is why that the one that you love
Will mistreat you for someone else?
When the sun goes down

The sun rises in the east
An it sets up in the west
The sun rises in the east, mama
An it set's in the west
Well, it's hard to tell, hard to tell
Which one will treat you the best
When the sun goes down

'Yea-ah'
'Ooo-ee, hoo-wee'
'Yea-ah'
'Hee, hoo-oh'
'Yea-hi'
'Hoo, hoo-eee'

Good-bye old sweetheart and pals
Yes, I'm going away
But I may be back to see you again
Some old rainy day
Well, in the evening, in the evening

When the sun goes down
When the sun goes down.

Overall Meaning

The song "When The Sun Goes Down" by Gary Clark Jr is a slow blues number that talks about the feeling of loneliness one experiences when their loved one is not around. The opening line "In the evening, mama, when the sun goes down" sets the mood for the melancholic tone of the song. The repetition of the line "When the sun goes down" throughout the song emphasizes the feeling of emptiness that is felt when loved ones are not present. The singer expresses his sadness and laments about his love being absent and how it makes him feel deeply isolated.

The second verse of the song is more introspective, where the singer expresses his confusion on why someone he loves would mistreat him for someone else. He talks about how he was thinking to himself, which shows that the singer is in deep contemplation about his situation. The third verse talks about the transient nature of life by describing how the sun sets in the west and rises in the east. The singer further contemplates that it is difficult to determine which person will treat him the best.

Overall, the song is a reflective and emotional portrayal of the pain of loneliness and heartbreak. Gary Clark Jr's lyrics capture the emotions of a broken person beautifully, and the slow blues melody of the song enhances the soulful mood.

Line by Line Meaning

In the evening, mama
At night, mother

When the sun goes down
When the day ends

In the evening, baby
At night, darling

Well, ain't it lonesome
Is it not lonely

Ain't it lonesome, babe
Is it not lonely, darling

When your love is not around?
When your lover is not present?

Last night, I laid a-sleeping
Last night, I was sleeping

I was thinking to myself
I was reflecting internally

Well, what I been thinking
What I've been contemplating

Is why that the one that you love
Is why the person you love

Will mistreat you for someone else?
Will mistreat you for someone else?