Roberts began performing country music as a child. When she was in junior high and high school, she toured with her family, playing at festivals in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. She also performed at area nursing homes (where she developed an appreciation for blues music); and worked at Carowinds (a theme park in Charlotte, North Carolina) and Dollywood.
A graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, Roberts began working for Mercury Records, later becoming assistant to label head Luke Lewis. During her tenure there, she began perfecting her singing skills and recorded a demo tape. Producer Brent Rowan liked what he heard and invited Lewis to hear the tape. Lewis liked what he heard, but it was only after he asked for the singer's identity that he learned it was Roberts.
Roberts was signed to Mercury Records, and her self-titled album was released in 2004.
A second album for Mercury, Men & Mascara, followed in 2006. This album produced two non-charting singles in its title track and a cover of Saving Jane's "Girl Next Door".
Her influences include Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell and Tanya Tucker.
If You Had Called Yesterday
Julie Roberts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hearing your voice on the machine
It took all I had to just let you talk
And not pick up where we left off
Every night since your goodbye
I hit my knees and closed my eyes
And I pray that you'd come back
You want to cross, but baby, it's too late for that
Last night would've been a different story
But the morning sun must've done something for me
'Cause I bet I'd gone the other way
If you'd called yesterday
If you'd called yesterday
This victory runs bitter sweet
Through the heart and soul of me
But I sip my coffee and watch the sun rise
Makin' its way to a bluer sky
Every night since your goodbye
I hit my knees and closed my eyes
And I prey that you'd come back
Too many tears washed out that bridge
You want to cross, but baby, it's too late for that
Last night would've been a different story
But the morning sun must've done something for me
'Cause I bet I'd gone the other way
If you'd called yesterday
Last night would've been a different story
But the morning sun must've done something for me
'Cause I bet I'd gone the other way
If you'd called yesterday
If you'd called yesterday
If you'd called yesterday
"If You Had Called Yesterday" by Julie Roberts is a heartfelt song about the aftermath of a breakup. The opening lines express the painful effects of hearing the voice of a former lover on an answering machine. Despite the difficulty of letting go, the singer resists the temptation to rekindle the relationship and instead chooses to move on with her life.
As the song progresses, the singer reveals the extent of her grief over the breakup. She prays for her lover to come back and longs to rebuild the bridge between them that has been washed away by too many tears. However, deep down she knows that it's too late for the relationship to be salvaged, and she must face the reality of a life without her lover.
The chorus of the song reflects the singer's inner turmoil. She imagines what might have happened if her lover had called the day before, and how a different outcome might have occurred. The bittersweet victory she feels in moving on is tempered by the realization that things might have turned out differently. The lyrics capture the universal hope and regret that come with the end of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll admit it got to me
I confess that hearing your voice on my answering machine affected me emotionally.
Hearing your voice on the machine
Receiving a message from you on my answering machine.
It took all I had to just let you talk
I had to summon all my strength not to interrupt you and continue our conversation from where we left off.
And not pick up where we left off
To refrain from continuing our previous discussion.
Every night since your goodbye
Each evening after you said goodbye.
I hit my knees and closed my eyes
I kneel down and close my eyes in prayer.
And I pray that you'd come back
I beseech a higher power for your return.
Too many tears washed out that bridge
Our relationship has been too emotionally draining and difficult to attempt to rebuild it.
You want to cross, but baby, it's too late for that
Although you may desire to reconnect, it's no longer feasible.
Last night would've been a different story
If you had called me last night, our conversation and potential reconciliation could have ended differently.
But the morning sun must've done something for me
The sunrise and a new day have brought me a fresh perspective and different feelings than the previous night.
'Cause I bet I'd gone the other way
I can imagine myself reacting differently and making a different choice if you had contacted me yesterday.
This victory runs bitter sweet
Although I feel triumphant in my decision, it's a melancholic feeling since it comes at the expense of our relationship.
Through the heart and soul of me
This decision has affected me deeply, in both an emotional and spiritual sense.
But I sip my coffee and watch the sun rise
To cope with these emotions, I sit down with coffee and observe the sunrise.
Makin' its way to a bluer sky
The sun's ascent is creating a clearer and more serene atmosphere.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CORY BATTEN, KENT EVAN BLAZY, WENDELL MOBLEY, WENDELL LEE MOBLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
blakeleigh lore’n
I'll admit it got to me
Hearing your voice on the machine
It took all I had to just let you talk
And not pick up where we left off
Every night since your goodbye
I hit my knees and closed my eyes
And I pray that you'd come back
Too many tears washed out that bridge
You want to cross, but baby, it's too late for that
Last night would've been a different story
But the morning sun must've done something for me
'Cause I bet I'd gone the other way
If you'd called yesterday
If you'd called yesterday
This victory runs bitter sweet
Through the heart and soul of me
But I sip my coffee and watch the sun rise
Makin' its way to a bluer sky
Every night since your goodbye
I hit my knees and closed my eyes
And I prey that you'd come back
Too many tears washed out that bridge
You want to cross, but baby, it's too late for that
Last night would've been a different story
But the morning sun must've done something for me
'Cause I bet I'd gone the other way
If you'd called yesterday
Last night would've been a different story
But the morning sun must've done something for me
'Cause I bet I'd gone the other way
If you'd called yesterday
If you'd called yesterday
If you'd called yesterday
Jim Vinson
My gosh she was a major hit for just a short time. I miss hearing her on the radio.
Serena Fisher
Have loved her songs since I first heard them...years ago. They take me back to when life was simpler.
dead surviver09
I love this album!! The entire thing is amazing!
Jeffraynor.1981@gmail.com Raynorshine209
This entire album rocked from start to finished!
spiraljoe1273
Nice country discovery...surprised she never got bigger on radio. I approve!
Mark Prigoff
My favorite country music CD! Julie, you're the best!!!
Erin
One of my favorite songs ever!
Jessica Jackson
I love Julie Roberts. Still listening in 2019
Grover Sallee
Me
blakeleigh lore’n
I'll admit it got to me
Hearing your voice on the machine
It took all I had to just let you talk
And not pick up where we left off
Every night since your goodbye
I hit my knees and closed my eyes
And I pray that you'd come back
Too many tears washed out that bridge
You want to cross, but baby, it's too late for that
Last night would've been a different story
But the morning sun must've done something for me
'Cause I bet I'd gone the other way
If you'd called yesterday
If you'd called yesterday
This victory runs bitter sweet
Through the heart and soul of me
But I sip my coffee and watch the sun rise
Makin' its way to a bluer sky
Every night since your goodbye
I hit my knees and closed my eyes
And I prey that you'd come back
Too many tears washed out that bridge
You want to cross, but baby, it's too late for that
Last night would've been a different story
But the morning sun must've done something for me
'Cause I bet I'd gone the other way
If you'd called yesterday
Last night would've been a different story
But the morning sun must've done something for me
'Cause I bet I'd gone the other way
If you'd called yesterday
If you'd called yesterday
If you'd called yesterday