look the other way
Justin Townes-Earle Lyrics
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I got no money in my pocket, no place to stay
And when I see you out in the streets
Never know what to say
Oh but it doesn't matter mama
If you always look the other way
Mama I'm searching, every night and day, oh
for all the wrong that I've done
For the nights I left you alone to wait
Oh but I'm always gonna owe you
If you always look the other way
I've been a fool, I know
I'm trying to find a way to show you
That you're the only one
The only one I'll ever want
So I'm learning, learning to be a better man
I'm not certain but I think I can now
Oh but if I fall short just know
I've done all I can do to change
But you never gonna notice if you always look the other way
Mama you never gonna notice,
if you always look the other way
The song "Look the Other Way" by Justin Townes-Earle tells the story of a son who is struggling with his life and has made some mistakes that he regrets. He is seeking for his mother's love and support, but she seems to be indifferent towards him. The opening lines of the song, "Mama I'm hurting, in the worst way, I got no money in my pocket, no place to stay" clearly depict the hardships that the son is facing. He is seeking comfort and hope from his mother but feels ignored and alone ( "And when I see you out in the streets, Never know what to say, Oh but it doesn't matter mama, If you always look the other way").
The son recognizes that he has wronged his mother and feels guilty ("I'm looking for the means to pay, for all the wrong that I've done"). He admits to being a fool and has realized the importance of his mother's place in his life ("I've been a fool, I know, I'm trying to find a way to show you, That you're the only one, The only one I'll ever want"). He is actively trying to change his ways to become a better person ("So I'm learning, learning to be a better man, I'm not certain but I think I can now"). However, he is unsure if his mother will ever forgive him or lend him the support he desperately needs ("Oh but if I fall short just know, I've done all I can do to change, But you never gonna notice if you always look the other way, Mama you never gonna notice, if you always look the other way").
Overall, "Look the Other Way" is a heart-wrenching song that depicts the complications and challenges of familial relationships. It is about the search for love, support, and redemption. The son recognizes his mistakes and is willing to change, but his mother's indifference is making it difficult for him to find the hope he needs.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama I'm hurting, in the worst way
I am in a state of extreme emotional pain and distress, Mama.
I got no money in my pocket, no place to stay
I am broke, Mama. I don't have anywhere to live either.
And when I see you out in the streets
When I bump into you outside in public, Mama,
Never know what to say
I don't know how to express myself, Mama. My words fail me.
Oh but it doesn't matter mama
It's insignificant, Mama. It doesn't make any difference or count for anything.
If you always look the other way
As long as you ignore my predicament, Mama. Don't acknowledge it, and pretend it isn't there.
Mama I'm searching, every night and day, oh
I am relentlessly questing, Mama. I am on a constant and restless mission to find what I need.
I'm looking for the means to pay,
I'm striving to find a way to make money, Mama. To pay what I owe.
for all the wrong that I've done
For all the things I've done to hurt you, Mama. I want to make recompense for it.
For the nights I left you alone to wait
For the times when I've deserted you alone and lonely, Mama.
Oh but I'm always gonna owe you
I am forever indebted to you, Mama. I can never repay you entirely.
If you always look the other way
But if you continue to ignore my flaw and imperfections, Mama. And disregard them.
I've been a fool, I know
I have been imprudent and silly in my past actions and decisions, Mama.
I'm trying to find a way to show you
I'm endeavouring to discover a method to demonstrate to you, Mama.
That you're the only one
That you are the sole person, Mama. The only individual I love and value.
The only one I'll ever want
The only one I'll ever seek, Mama. The only one I'll ever need.
So I'm learning, learning to be a better man
I'm adapting, improving and evolving, Mama. I'm trying to be a superior person than before.
I'm not certain but I think I can now
I'm not completely sure, Mama. But I believe that I am capable now.
Oh but if I fall short just know
But if I am not good enough, Mama. Just know.
I've done all I can do to change
I have made every effort to convert, Mama. I've done everything.
But you never gonna notice if you always look the other way
But you won't realize it, Mama. You will not take heed or recognize my growth and efforts if you persist in ignoring my faults.
Mama you never gonna notice,
No matter how much I change, Mama. No matter how much I try, you won't see it.
if you always look the other way
If you keep closing your eyes, Mama. If you keep turning your back from me.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeffmrowka9380
Mama, I'm hurting, in the worst way
I got no money in my pocket, no place to stay
And when I see you out in the streets
Never know what to say
Aw, but it doesn't matter, mama
If you always look the other way
Mama, I'm searching, every night and day, oh
I'm looking for the means to pay, for all the wrong that I've done
For the nights I've let you long awake
Aw, but I'm always gonna owe you
If you always look the other way
I've been a fool, I know
I'm trying to find a way to show you
That you're the only one that
The only one I'll ever want
So I'm learning, learning to be a better man
I'm not certain, but I think I can now
Oh, but if I fall short, just know
I've done all I can do to change
But you're never gonna know this
If you always look the other way
Mama, you're never gonna notice
If you always look the other way
@agentelvis81
RIP you timeless, amazing, touching, beautiful genius. There are a lot of us who really "felt" you out here who are going to be running a bit more astray without you. Goodbye, Justin Townes Earle. I'm not ashamed to say that I love you.
@dannychavez8207
Man he was a beautiful beast. My life feels this loss. Viva la musica.
@misslindseyfrost
This
@jenlevens2914
heart is fucking broken
@LovesickBluesBoi
Year later, I still miss him every single day
@chrismason4224
He'll never get the credit he deserves for guitar pickin'... two-finger drop-thumb style. He did so much syncopation and that informed the melody on all his songs. Un-ironic his middle names is Townes.
@australopithecusss
I mourn your passing every single time I hear music, I mourn for the lyrics that didn't get written, for the songs that you didn't get to sing and the music of yours that we didn't get to hear...if the world isn't mourning your passing, it sure as hell should be.
love peace and gentle stillness to your family, so still that when the wind barely rustles they'll know you're there. Tell Townes I said hey and give him my love and respect and save some for yourself...too, and pick it so it'll never heal....
@brandonbigham3053
Me and some old friends used to listen to this all the time. Drinking, drugging..they're mostly dead now. And now, so is he. I hope there is a decent afterlife for us and everything.. nostalgia is a sickening feeling. Damn, this makes me sick.. everybody gets out somehow, some way..I miss everyone. Good luck out there, whatever and whoever and wherever you are now.
@bradlawley13
There is an afterlife and God loves you. If you believe in Jesus Christ you'll be happy for eternity❤
@misslindseyfrost
I feel this deeply.