The Wild Side of Life
Hank Thompson And His Brazos Valley Boys Lyrics
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You asked me not to call you on the phone
There's something I've been waiting for to tell you
So I wrote it in the words of this song
You never knew there were honky tonk angels
Or you might have known I'd never make a wife
You walked out on the only one who ever loved youSo I went back to the wild side of life
Now the glamor of the good life always lead me
To the places where the wild liquor flows
I tried to be your one and only angel
But I'm not that kind of angel, heaven knows
I cried so hard the day you went and left me
'Cause some things you said, they cut me like a knife
What you wanted was another kind of angel
And you should be back to the wild side of life
No, well, I guess I'm just a honky tonk angel
I might have known I'd never make a wife
Well, you left the only one who ever loved you
And I'm back here on the wild side of life
I'm only a honky tonk angel
I might have known I'd never make a wife
You walked out on the only one who ever loved you
And you left me here on the wild side of life
The lyrics of Hank Thompson And His Brazos Valley Boys' song The Wild Side of Life express the singer's frustration and heartbreak over a failed relationship. The song's narrator addresses their former lover, recounting how they were never able to get through to them, as they refused to read their letters or take their calls. The singer then admits that they were never the type to settle down with just one person, but they had tried to be that person for their lover anyway. However, their partner was looking for a different kind of "angel" and eventually left them, causing the singer to return to the wild and carefree lifestyle they had known before.
The song is a classic example of a honky-tonk ballad, blending elements of country and Western swing music. It is notable for its use of a twin fiddle arrangement, which was a hallmark of Thompson's sound. The Wild Side of Life was a commercial success upon its release in 1952, spending 15 weeks at #1 on the Billboard country chart.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you wouldn't read my letters if I wrote you
You have been ignoring my letters and other means of communication
You asked me not to call you on the phone
You specifically forbade me from contacting you via phone
There's something I've been waiting for to tell you
I have been holding onto something that I need to share with you
So I wrote it in the words of this song
I have chosen to express my thoughts and feelings through music
You never knew there were honky tonk angels
You are not aware of the existence of women who frequent honky tonks
Or you might have known I'd never make a wife
If you did know about honky tonk angels, you would have realized that I am not a good candidate for a wife
You walked out on the only one who ever loved you
You left the one person who truly cared about you
So I went back to the wild side of life
As a result of your leaving and my realization that I am a honky tonk angel, I have returned to my old ways
Now the glamor of the good life always lead me
I am often drawn to the luxurious and exciting aspects of life
To the places where the wild liquor flows
I am attracted to venues where alcohol is served and people are indulging in wild behavior
I tried to be your one and only angel
I attempted to become the perfect partner for you
But I'm not that kind of angel, heaven knows
However, I realized that I cannot change who I am and what I enjoy doing
I cried so hard the day you went and left me
I was extremely upset when you left me
'Cause some things you said, they cut me like a knife
Your words were painful and caused me great emotional distress
What you wanted was another kind of angel
You were looking for a different type of partner, one that I cannot be
And you should be back to the wild side of life
It would be best for you to return to the lifestyle you enjoy, one that I cannot provide for you
No, well, I guess I'm just a honky tonk angel
In the end, I realized that I am simply a woman who enjoys the honky tonk lifestyle
I might have known I'd never make a wife
It was probably clear to me from the beginning that I was not cut out for a traditional marriage
Well, you left the only one who ever loved you
You chose to abandon the person who truly cared about you
And I'm back here on the wild side of life
As a result of your departure, I have returned to my old ways and lifestyle
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: William Warren, Arlie Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind