Besides these two songs, five more of Montgomery's singles have reached the top of the country charts: "I Love the Way You Love Me", "Be My Baby Tonight", "If You've Got Love", "I Can Love You Like That", and "The Little Girl", while thirteen more have reached Top Ten. Montgomery's recordings of "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That" were both released concurrently with R&B versions by the group All-4-One. Montgomery has also released eleven studio albums, counting a Christmas album.
John Michael joined the family band (which also included his brother, Eddie Montgomery, who would later join Troy Gentry in the duo Montgomery Gentry) as guitarist before taking the lead singing role when his parents divorced. Afterwards, he made a frugal living on the local honky-tonk scene as a solo artist playing what he referred to as "working man's country." Eventually, Atlantic Records signed him.
If You Ever Went Away
John Michael Montgomery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A few more than I ought to, a few more than I used to
Hitch a ride with my old buddy John
Talk about the game that's on
Yeah, he's pretty good company but he ain't you
I'd lay my head down and try not to think
But I would'nt sleep a wink
But if you stay I'm gonna love you
I'm gonna keep that promise that I made
'Cause deep inside I know that I'd be lost
If you ever went away
I'd probably spend a few more days out on the lake fishin'
Maybe even catch that big one, oh that'd be somethin'
Sit up on a big ol' stump watch the day fall down
Or probably just walk around, head on back to the house
Go through a door into a place I don't wanna be
Spend all night hangin' out with old memories
But if you stay I'm gonna love you
I'm gonna keep that promise that I made
'Cause deep inside I know that I'd be lost
If you ever went away
If you stay I'm gonna love you
I'm gonna keep that promise that I made
'Cause deep inside I know that I'd be lost
If you ever went away
I'd spend some time hangin' out with my old buddy John
Yeah, he's pretty good company but he ain't you
The song "If You Ever Went Away" by John Michael Montgomery portrays a love story where the singer talks about what he would do if his lover ever left him. The lyrics describe how he would drink more than usual and spend time with his old friend, John, but he acknowledges that John cannot replace his lover's company. The singer then goes on to imagine what life would be like without his lover, spending more time fishing and reminiscing about old memories but ultimately feeling lost without the person he loves.
The first verse talks about the singer's desire to drink more beer than he ought to and spend time with his friend, John. John provides him with company and distraction, but the singer admits that his friend cannot replace the love of his life. The second verse describes the singer's love for fishing and how he might spend more time doing that if his lover left, but even if he caught the biggest fish, he would not be complete without his lover. The chorus repeats the idea that if his lover stays, he will keep the promise he made to love and cherish her because he knows he would be lost without her.
The song depicts the depth of the singer's love for his partner and highlights the fact that without that love, anything he does would be incomplete. It shows how much the singer values and cherishes his relationship and the fear of losing that love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd have a few more beers after work
I would drink more beer than usual after work
A few more than I ought to, a few more than I used to
I would drink more beer than I should, more than I used to
Hitch a ride with my old buddy John
I would take a ride with my friend John
Talk about the game that's on
I would discuss whatever sports game is currently playing with John
Yeah, he's pretty good company but he ain't you
Although John is good company, he wouldn't compare to you
I'd lay my head down and try not to think
I would try to fall asleep without thinking too much
But I wouldn't sleep a wink
I wouldn't be able to sleep at all
Yeah, that's what I'd do
That's how I'd spend my time
But if you stay I'm gonna love you
If you stay with me, I will show you my love
I'm gonna keep that promise that I made
I will fulfill the promise that I made to you
'Cause deep inside I know that I'd be lost
I know I would feel lost
If you ever went away
If you were to leave me
I'd probably spend a few more days out on the lake fishin'
I would fish on the lake for a few more days than usual
Maybe even catch that big one, oh that'd be somethin'
I might even catch a really big fish, which would be amazing
Sit up on a big ol' stump watch the day fall down
I would sit on a big stump and watch the sunset
Or probably just walk around, head on back to the house
I might just walk around before heading back home
Go through a door into a place I don't wanna be
I might enter a place I don't want to be in
Spend all night hangin' out with old memories
I would spend the whole night reminiscing
If you stay I'm gonna love you
If you stay with me, I will show you my love
I'm gonna keep that promise that I made
I will fulfill the promise that I made to you
'Cause deep inside I know that I'd be lost
I know I would feel lost
If you ever went away
If you were to leave me
If you stay I'm gonna love you
If you stay with me, I will show you my love
I'm gonna keep that promise that I made
I will fulfill the promise that I made to you
'Cause deep inside I know that I'd be lost
I know I would feel lost
If you ever went away
If you were to leave me
I'd spend some time hangin' out with my old buddy John
I would hang out with John for a while
Yeah, he's pretty good company but he ain't you
Although John is good company, he wouldn't compare to you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DARRYL BURGESS, RANDY HOUSER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind