Straight A's in Love
Johnny Cash Lyrics


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Well, the readin' and the writin' arithmetic
Never did get through to me
It ain't because I'm square or thick
'Cause I learned my A, be, see

But when I graduated from the grammar school
And I moved one grade above
I began to be a snook at books
But I made straight A's in love

Now the teacher would say to learn your algebra
But I'd bring home see's and D's
How could I make an A when there's a swingin' maid
On the left and on the right and in the back and the front of me?

Oh, my grades are low on my card, I know
But they oughta give me one above
If they'd give me a mark for learnin' in the dark
I'd have straight A's in love

Now in my senior year with graduation near
I did my homework every night
And when my momma said I oughta go to bed
I turn out all the lights

But my sweetie pie was waitin' right outside
She'd be a coolin' like a dove
Though I did my best, I failed semester test
But I made straight A's in love

Now the teacher would say to learn your algebra
But I'd bring home see's and D's
How could I make an A when there's a swingin' maid
On the left and on the right and in the back and the front of me

Oh, my grades are low on my card, I know
But they oughta give me one above




If they'd give me a mark for learnin' in the dark
I'd have straight A's in love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Johnny Cash’s “Straight A’s in Love” narrate the story of a young student who struggled with academic subjects like reading, writing, and arithmetic but excelled in matters of the heart. Although the student was not “square or thick,” he found it difficult to concentrate on his studies as he was constantly surrounded by the allure of attractive women. Despite the admonitions of his teacher, he continued to bring home C’s and D’s in his report card, knowing that his real education was happening outside the classroom, in the company of his beloved.


The song captures the conflict between academic expectations and the messy realities of teenage romance, as well as the frustration of being judged solely by one’s academic performance. The lyrics suggest that the student’s unconventional learning experiences, punctuated by the thrill of first love, were just as significant, if not more so, than the lessons taught in the classroom. By the end of the song, the student has come to accept his academic shortcomings and embraces his “straight A’s in love” as a worthy accomplishment in its own right.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, the readin' and the writin' arithmetic Never did get through to me It ain't because I'm square or thick 'Cause I learned my A, be, see
Despite struggling with standard education, it was not due to a lack of intelligence, as the singer still learned the basics of the alphabet.


But when I graduated from the grammar school And I moved one grade above I began to be a snook at books But I made straight A's in love
After moving on from elementary school, the singer began to disregard traditional learning but excelled in the field of love and relationships.


Now the teacher would say to learn your algebra But I'd bring home see's and D's How could I make an A when there's a swingin' maid On the left and on the right and in the back and the front of me?
Despite being urged to study algebra, the singer could not seem to improve their grades due to romantic distractions from the attractive people surrounding them.


Oh, my grades are low on my card, I know But they oughta give me one above If they'd give me a mark for learnin' in the dark I'd have straight A's in love
Even though the artist's academic grades suffered, they believe they should receive credit for their success in matters of the heart, and imply that they learned just as much in the dark as in the classroom.


Now in my senior year with graduation near I did my homework every night And when my momma said I oughta go to bed I turn out all the lights
As the artist approached their final year of high school, they began to take their studies more seriously, to the point of doing homework every night and staying up late.


But my sweetie pie was waitin' right outside She'd be a coolin' like a dove Though I did my best, I failed semester test But I made straight A's in love
Even with improved focus on academics, the singer still struggled due to the tempting presence of their lover waiting outside. However, they still consider themselves successful in their love life.


Now the teacher would say to learn your algebra But I'd bring home see's and D's How could I make an A when there's a swingin' maid On the left and on the right and in the back and the front of me?
The singer reiterates their previous point about their academic struggles with algebra and how they were constantly distracted by attractive people around them.


Oh, my grades are low on my card, I know But they oughta give me one above If they'd give me a mark for learnin' in the dark I'd have straight A's in love
The artist concludes by restating their belief that they should receive credit for their romantic success, even if it does not show up on their report card.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous


on Wayfaring Stranger

Wayfaring Stranger - The New Appalachians - Lyrics

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world alone

There will be no sickness, toil or danger
In that grand land to which I roam

Well I'm going home to see my mother
I'm going home to a morning rose
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
And beautiful fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed there vigils keep

Well I'm going home to see my brothers
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I’m only goin’ where no one roams

I want to wear that crown of glory
When I get to that good land
I want to shout out salvation story
In concert with that blood washed band.
I'm going there to see my saviour
I’ll see his face no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I'm only goin' over home

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