In late 2006 Carroll signed with Arista Nashville and released his first single "Alyssa Lies". His debut album was released February 6, 2007.
Carroll said in an interview with Songfacts that he looks at songwriting as an almost religious experience. The ideas are out there, he believes, and it's up to the individual to grab them and write them. "And you can either force the idea, almost screw it up if you really force it too much, or you can try to receive it the way it's intended to be," he explained. "And so my songwriting experience is, usually when I'm writing by myself, I just kind of let the idea come. And if it's a roadblock or whatever I may try to hammer through it for a minute, but then if I don't get anything I'll just leave it alone and come back to it a couple of weeks later."
tears
Jason Michael Carroll Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know why I even carried in this old bed of mines
Its not like I ever sleep
All I do is think of her, and wonder how I'm gonna make things work
Cause I know as a dad I got a lot of responsibility
Even tho God gave this gift to the both of us
Some how every other weekend is how it ended up
When the telephone rings, I drop everything
Cause when all you got is that 8 o'clock, night night dad I miss you a lot
I stop in my tracks, I try to act strong when she calls
And I thank God she cant hear tears, when they fall
Now its her Dr. Seuss and me and shes learning how to read
And I cant see those pictures, but I can hear those pages turn
And her mother says it bath time, as she blows a kiss through the line
I don't know whats worse saying goodbye, or talking to her
Cause I'm the one that should be there tucking her in the bed
But since her voice is all I have I'm thankful for what I get
[Chorus]
If she knew I was crying she might think its her fault,
Oh but that's just me missing her
Every time we talk
Every time we talk
[Chorus]
The song "Tears" by Jason Michael Carroll revolves around a man who is separated from his daughter, and the struggles he encounters every day without her. He starts by talking about how he moved into a new home, and even though he brought his old bed, he cannot seem to fall asleep unless he is thinking about his daughter. Even though he is her father, he acknowledges that he has a responsibility to provide for her. The father expresses his heartbreak and pain when he receives calls from his daughter every other weekend, and he must act strong despite wanting to break down in tears. He thanks God that his daughter doesn't hear him cry when they talk on the phone, but he can't help crying because he misses her so much. The father shows how much he loves and cares for his daughter by mentioning that his child is learning how to read with him via the phone. Even though he doesn't see the pictures, he is grateful for the moments he gets, including when he hears his daughter's good night wishes.
The song's somber, sad tone underscores a recurring theme of the despair felt by parents, especially fathers, whose children don't live with them. The song conveys the father's agony, which he tries to hide from his daughter out of love for her. Jason's narrative is touching, raw and deep, and paints a picture of a fathher who is battling every day to be in his daughter's life. Many people can relate to the song's sentiment, and the song can bring tears to the eyes of those who have gone through similar experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Paid first and last month's rent,
I have taken care of the financial aspects of living in this new apartment, but I can't help but feel the weight of losing my family.
I don't know why I even carried in this old bed of mines
I brought this bed, even though I don't sleep much. It just reminds me of her.
Its not like I ever sleep
I can't fall asleep without thinking about her, and it always keeps me awake.
All I do is think of her, and wonder how I'm gonna make things work
Every moment of my life is filled with thoughts about how to make things right and how to be with her.
Cause I know as a dad I got a lot of responsibility
As a father, I recognize my responsibilities to my daughter.
Even tho God gave this gift to the both of us
Although my daughter and I were both given the gift of each other, we are now separated.
Some how every other weekend is how it ended up
We can only see each other every other weekend, which is heartbreaking for us both.
When the telephone rings, I drop everything
Whenever the phone rings, I stop whatever I am doing because it may be her.
Cause when all you got is that 8 o'clock, night night dad I miss you a lot
The only communication we have is at 8pm when she tells me goodnight and that she misses me.
I stop in my tracks, I try to act strong when she calls
When I talk to her on the phone, I try to hide my sadness and put on a brave face.
And I thank God she cant hear tears, when they fall
I am grateful she can't hear how I cry when I'm away from her because it would break her heart.
Now its her Dr. Seuss and me and shes learning how to read
We are reading Dr. Seuss books over the phone, trying to be together even though we are apart.
And her mother says it bath time, as she blows a kiss through the line
Her mother lets us know it is time for her bath, and we say goodbye for now.
I don't know whats worse saying goodbye, or talking to her
Saying goodbye to her is hard, but talking to her knowing I can't be there is just as difficult.
Cause I'm the one that should be there tucking her in the bed
As her father, I feel like it is my responsibility to be there to put her to bed.
But since her voice is all I have I'm thankful for what I get
Even though I can't be with her, I am grateful for every moment I have to talk to her on the phone.
If she knew I was crying she might think its her fault,
I don't want my daughter to feel like she is the reason I am crying, so I try to hide it from her.
Oh but that's just me missing her
The truth is, I am crying because I miss her so much.
Every time we talk
Even though our conversations are brief, I treasure every moment we have together.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRYCE P. WILSON, MAKEDA DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind