Why Baby Why
George Jones & Gene Pitney Lyrics
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You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby
Lord, 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 kickin' up your heels
Lord, 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
And 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
No, I can't help but love 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 is a-gonna have his day
You'd better pay attention, don't you dare forget
'Cause I'm just a little bitty puppy yet
Well, I caught you honky tonkin' with my best friend
The thing to do was leave you, but I should'a 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
Lord, I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
So tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why
Tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why
The song "Why Baby Why" by George Jones and Gene Pitney is a classic country ballad about a tumultuous relationship. The lyrics express the frustration and heartache of a man who is deeply in love with a woman who causes him to cry and brings him pain. He asks her why she behaves the way she does, leaving him with a pile of bills and heading out to the honky-tonks while he stays home alone.
The first verse sets up the story, with the man saying he has a "crow to pick" with the woman, just like the last time when "the feathers flew." He accuses her of being wild and leaving him with the bills while she goes out having fun. He says he can't live without her, but he also can't live with her. In the second verse, he talks about going out himself and getting drunk, hoping that maybe she'll realize what she has in him.
The third verse introduces a bit of a twist in the story, with the man saying he's just a "little bitty puppy yet" and warning the woman not to forget him. He then reveals that he caught her cheating with his best friend, and although he should have left her then, he stayed. Now he is too old to leave her, but he still gets upset when she comes home drunk and fumbles for the doorknob. The chorus repeats the same questions, asking why she makes him cry but also acknowledging that he can't help but love her.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby why
Asking the reason behind the actions causing the pain.
You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby
Expressing the pain caused by the actions of the other person.
Lord, I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
Despite the pain caused, the love for the other person is still strong.
So tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why
Reiterating the question, hoping for a satisfactory answer.
Well I got a crow I wanna pick with you
Having a complaint to make against the other person.
Just like last time when the feathers flew
Referring to a previous argument or fight.
You're runnin' wild kickin' up your heels
The other person is behaving recklessly and irresponsibly.
A-leavin' me home with a hand full of bills
Leaving the artist with the financial burdens.
Lord, I can't live without you and you know it's true
Acknowledging the deep love for the other person.
But there's no livin' with you so what'll I do
Recognizing the issues in the relationship and questioning how to proceed.
I'm goin' honky tonkin', get as tight as I can
Going out to drink and socialize to cope with the situation.
And maybe by then you'll 'preciate a good man
Hoping that the other person will realize the value of the artist.
Well, now I don't know, but I've heard say
Uncertainty about the situation, but having heard rumors about it.
That ever' little dog is a-gonna have his day
Thinking that justice will come to the wrongdoer eventually.
You'd better pay attention, don't you dare forget
Warning the other person to be careful and not forget who truly cares for them.
'Cause I'm just a little bitty puppy yet
Admitting vulnerability and naivety in the relationship.
Well, I caught you honky tonkin' with my best friend
Having caught the other person being unfaithful with the artist's friend.
The thing to do was leave you, but I should'a left then
Knowing that leaving would have been the right choice, but regretting not doing it.
Now I'm too old to leave you, but I still get sore
Feeling trapped in the relationship and still feeling pain from the past actions.
When you come home a-feelin' for the knob on the door
Suspecting the other person of potentially cheating again upon their return home.
Tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why
Repeating the question, hoping for a satisfactory answer and resolution.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Darrell Edwards, George Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob Long
Love it.Gene & George do well together!
Jenifer Holmes
Fantastic love gene n George’s duets ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏
Peggy Lee
Love No Show Jones!! Grew up listening 🎶 to him.
Marc Miner
Hey, amazing vids! I'm sure you gonna like my channel, so check it out and leave a comment! Wish you a great day! Cheers, Marc