For Taking The Trouble
Jackson Browne David Lindley Lyrics


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For taking the trouble, for hanging on and tryin'
You've been working through the rubble of a shattered mind

Yeah Baby, tell me why the tears are falling from your eye
Tears of laughter, tears of grief, are they the tears of a captured thief?

You thought that you were home free, you thought you had her well in hand
But there were things about her you didn't understand

Yeah Baby, tell me how you're gonna keep that promise now?
To live your life without regret and make it work with what you get

You didn't then, but now you know
When she began to lie, you really should have let her go

You're learnin' how to talk about it, you're learnin' how to bend
It's like you're learning how to walk all over again

Yeah Baby, tell me who you're gonna give your lovin' to?
That girl who catches every eye or the one you can set your compass by

You set it by her soulful smile, the fire in her eye
And the way she goes that extra mile
The love you wanted this to be is somewhere down the line
You'll find her eventually

Your grandma and her grandma are sittin' 'round heaven discussin' the law
Lovin' that girl was not your crime, livin' without her gonna take some time




Lovin' that girl next thing you knew, you'd turned away from the thing you do
Lovin' that girl, you couldn't see, living without her gonna make you free

Overall Meaning

The song "For Taking the Trouble" by Jackson Browne and David Lindley is a soulful ballad that speaks about love, regret, and the struggle to move on. The lyrics describe the painful experience of trying to love someone who was not entirely sincere, and the heartbreak that follows when the relationship ultimately fails. The song acknowledges the pain that comes with holding on to someone who is not truly committed and encourages the singer to move on and find someone who truly loves him.


The lyrics depict the singer's feelings of confusion and sadness as he tries to make sense of his failed relationship. He recognizes that he should have seen the warning signs earlier and let go of the relationship when he realized that his partner was lying. However, he now recognizes his mistake and is learning to cope with the pain of losing someone he loved.


The song also deals with the theme of picking oneself up and moving on from a failed relationship. The singer is counseled to embrace the idea of living his life to the fullest without any regrets. He is told that he will eventually find the right person who will truly love him.


Line by Line Meaning

For taking the trouble, for hanging on and tryin'
Acknowledging the effort and commitment put into a challenging situation


You've been working through the rubble of a shattered mind
Dealing with the aftermath of a mental breakdown or crisis


Yeah Baby, tell me why the tears are falling from your eye
Expressing concern and curiosity about someone's emotional state


Tears of laughter, tears of grief, are they the tears of a captured thief?
Wondering whether the tears are genuine or manipulative


You thought that you were home free, you thought you had her well in hand
Believing that you had control over a situation or relationship


But there were things about her you didn't understand
Realizing that there were aspects of the situation or partner that you were unaware of


Yeah Baby, tell me how you're gonna keep that promise now?
Challenging someone to follow through on a commitment they made


To live your life without regret and make it work with what you get
Encouraging someone to make the best of their circumstances and choices


You didn't then, but now you know
Recognizing that you made a mistake or bad decision in the past


When she began to lie, you really should have let her go
Realizing that staying with someone who was dishonest caused more harm than good


You're learnin' how to talk about it, you're learnin' how to bend
Developing communication skills and flexibility to navigate a difficult situation


It's like you're learning how to walk all over again
Feeling like you're starting from scratch in terms of coping with challenges


Yeah Baby, tell me who you're gonna give your lovin' to?
Questioning someone's romantic preferences and priorities


That girl who catches every eye or the one you can set your compass by
Choosing between a flashy, popular partner and one who is dependable and trustworthy


You set it by her soulful smile, the fire in her eye
Valuing someone for their inner qualities and positive energy


And the way she goes that extra mile
Appreciating someone who puts in effort and shows commitment


The love you wanted this to be is somewhere down the line
Recognizing that your ideal relationship may not be achievable in the present moment


You'll find her eventually
Having faith that you will meet the right person at the right time


Your grandma and her grandma are sittin' 'round heaven discussin' the law
Joking that ancestors are discussing the situation and offering advice from beyond the grave


Lovin' that girl was not your crime, livin' without her gonna take some time
Acknowledging that loving someone is not a fault or mistake, but getting over them will be difficult


Lovin' that girl next thing you knew, you'd turned away from the thing you do
Realizing that focusing solely on a partner can cause you to neglect your own dreams and goals


Lovin' that girl, you couldn't see, living without her gonna make you free
Recognizing that breaking free from a toxic relationship will ultimately lead to personal freedom and growth




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JACKSON BROWNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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