Why Baby Why
George Lyrics


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Tell me why baby, why baby
Why baby, why you make me cry baby, cry baby
Cry baby, cry
I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
So tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why

Well, I got a crow I wanna pick with you
Just like last time when the feathers flew
You're runnin' wild a-kickin' up your heels
A-leavin' me home with a hand full of bills

I can't live without you and you know it's true
But there's no livin' with you so what'll I do
I'm goin' honky-tonkin', get as tight as I can
Maybe by then you'll 'preciate a good man

Tell me why baby, why baby
Why baby, why you make me cry baby, cry baby
Cry baby, cry
I can't live without you 'til the day that I die
So tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why

Well, now I don't know, but I've heard say
That ever' little dog's a-gonna have his day
You'd better pay attention, don't you dare forget
'Cause I'm just a little bitty puppy yet

I caught you honky-tonkin' with my best friend
The thing to do was leave you, but I shoulda left then
Now, I'm too old to leave you, but I still get sore
When you come home a-feelin' for the knob on the door

Tell me why baby, why baby
Why baby, why you make me cry baby, cry baby
Cry baby, cry




I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
So tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why

Overall Meaning

In "Why Baby, Why," George Jones sings of a troubled relationship with a woman who consistently breaks his heart. He begs her to explain why she's causing him so much pain by making him cry baby, cry baby. Despite her many flaws, Jones can't help but love her and tells her that he'll continue to do so until the day he dies, but he needs her to tell him why she's treating him so poorly.


The song's lyrics explore the complicated nature of love and the pain that often comes with it. Jones knows that he can't live without his love interest, but he's also aware that he can't continue living with her if she's going to keep breaking his heart. He's left feeling confused and frustrated, desperately seeking answers from the woman he loves.


Overall, "Why Baby, Why" is a classic country ballad that effectively captures the heartbreak and confusion that often comes with relationships. Jones' powerful vocals make the song even more impactful, making it a timeless classic in the world of country music.


Line by Line Meaning

Tell me why baby, why baby
George Jones is directly addressing his partner, asking for an explanation for their behavior


Why baby, why you make me cry baby, cry baby
He is specifically referring to the way his partner's actions and choices are hurting him emotionally, causing him to cry


Cry baby, cry
This line is a repetition of the previous one and emphasizes the pain he is feeling


I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
Despite the emotional pain his partner is causing him, George Jones admits that he loves them deeply and will continue to do so until the end


So tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why
He pleads with his partner to provide him with an explanation for their hurtful actions


Well, I got a crow I wanna pick with you
George Jones wants to confront his partner about something that has been bothering him


Just like last time when the feathers flew
This line refers to a previous argument or confrontation with his partner that resulted in a lot of drama and turmoil


You're runnin' wild a-kickin' up your heels
George Jones believes that his partner is behaving recklessly and carelessly, which is causing problems for their relationship


A-leavin' me home with a hand full of bills
He feels that he has been left alone to take care of financial responsibilities while his partner is off doing their own thing


I can't live without you and you know it's true
Despite their problems, George Jones acknowledges that he is deeply attached to his partner and feels incomplete without them


But there's no livin' with you so what'll I do
He recognizes that living with his partner is difficult due to their behavior, and he is unsure of what to do about it


I'm goin' honky-tonkin', get as tight as I can
George Jones uses alcohol as a way to numb his emotional pain and escape from his problems


Maybe by then you'll 'preciate a good man
He hopes that by seeing him out having a good time, his partner will realize what they are missing and appreciate him more


Well, now I don't know, but I've heard say
He is not sure if what he has heard is true, but he has heard something


That ever' little dog's a-gonna have his day
This line means that everyone will eventually get their just deserts or comeuppance


You'd better pay attention, don't you dare forget
George Jones is warning his partner that they should pay attention to his feelings and actions, otherwise they may lose him forever


'Cause I'm just a little bitty puppy yet
He sees himself as someone who is still young and inexperienced, and therefore may be taken advantage of


I caught you honky-tonkin' with my best friend
George Jones has caught his partner cheating on him with his best friend, which is a major betrayal


The thing to do was leave you, but I shoulda left then
Even though he knew it was the right thing to do, he stayed with his partner after catching them cheating, which he now regrets


Now, I'm too old to leave you, but I still get sore
George Jones feels that he has invested too much in this relationship to leave now, even though he is still angry and hurt by his partner's infidelity


When you come home a-feelin' for the knob on the door
He is expressing his irritation with his partner's behavior when they come home after being out, implying that they are careless and inconsiderate




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Darrell Edwards, George Jones

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Daniel Burns

this song went to #4 on the country charts in 1955!!!

Clayton Browm

I still remember when I first heard it 1955. Bought every song of George after that

June Thresher

The greatest! Oh that voice!

aaron coats

This song brings back memories

dawn craigmiles

i love this song i alway had when i first heard it

Connor's computer stuff & more randomness

Why must they shorted such good music?

Vinyl and shellac by Starday

I have had three different copies of this record and all of them were hissy. 

nintengirl14

I love the "hissy" sound. :)

jeff potipco

Who left the fucking barn lights on!!?

Hill Billy

Me Too

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