Where've You Been
Kathy Mattea Lyrics
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When she and Edwin fell in love.
She touched his face and shook her head,
In disbelief, she sighed and said:
"In many dreams I've held you near,
"Now, at last, you're really here.
"Where've you been?"
"Where've you been?"
"I'm just not myself when you're away."
He asked her for her hand for life,
And she became a salesman's wife.
He was home each night by eight,
But one stormy evening, he was late.
Her frightened tears fell to the floor,
Until his key turned in the door.
"Where've you been? "
"I've looked for you forever and a day."
"Where've you been?"
"I'm just not myself when you're away."
They'd never spent a night apart,
For sixty years, she heard him snore.
Now they're in a hospital,
In separate beds on different floors.
Claire soon lost her memory,
Forgot the names of family.
She never spoke a word again,
Then one day, they wheeled him in.
He held her hand and stroked her hair,
In a fragile voice she said:
"Where've you been? "
"I've looked for you forever and a day."
"Where've you been?"
"I'm just not myself when you're away."
"No, I'm just not myself when you're away."
The song "Where've You Been" by Kathy Mattea depicts a beautiful love story between two people named Claire and Edwin. Claire had given up on love until she met Edwin, and after falling in love, she couldn't believe that she had finally found the one she had been searching for. The chorus of the song demonstrates how much Claire depends on Edwin's companionship, and how lost she feels without him.
The lyrics take a dramatic turn when Edwin is late coming home from work one stormy evening, causing Claire to become worried and anxious. The scene portrays how much Claire truly loves Edwin and how much she fears to lose him. The chorus again emphasizes her dependence on Edwin's presence in her life.
The story evolves further, demonstrating the true depth of their love. The couple never spent a single night apart until they had to spend them in separate beds, in different floors of a hospital in their old age. Claire starts to lose her memory, and Edwin visits her often, holding her hand and stroking her hair. The final chorus of the song signifies how much Claire still needed Edwin's love even as her memory faded away.
Line by Line Meaning
Claire had all but given up,
Claire had lost hope and stopped believing.
When she and Edwin fell in love.
But then she found love with Edwin.
She touched his face and shook her head,
She was in disbelief that he was finally here.
In disbelief, she sighed and said:
She was so overwhelmed she expressed disbelief.
"In many dreams I've held you near,
She dreamed of him often.
"Now, at last, you're really here.
But now he's finally by her side for real.
"Where've you been?"
Where have you been all this time?
"I've looked for you forever and a day."
I have searched for you endlessly.
"Where've you been?"
Where have you been all this time?
"I'm just not myself when you're away."
I am not whole without you beside me.
He asked her for her hand for life,
Edwin proposed to her.
And she became a salesman's wife.
She accepted and became a wife to him.
He was home each night by eight,
He was reliable and always home early.
But one stormy evening, he was late.
But one day he came home later than usual due to weather.
Her frightened tears fell to the floor,
She became scared and cried.
Until his key turned in the door.
But when he finally arrived home, she felt relieved.
"Where've you been? "
Where have you been all this time?
"I've looked for you forever and a day."
I have been searching for you endlessly.
"Where've you been?"
Where have you been all this time?
"I'm just not myself when you're away."
I am not whole without you beside me.
They'd never spent a night apart,
They were together every night.
For sixty years, she heard him snore.
For the entirety of their lives she listened to his snoring.
Now they're in a hospital,
Now they're both in a hospital.
In separate beds on different floors.
But they're not even able to be next to each other anymore.
Claire soon lost her memory,
Claire eventually lost her memory.
Forgot the names of family.
She forgot the names of even close family members.
She never spoke a word again,
She became nonverbal.
Then one day, they wheeled him in.
One day they brought Edwin in to see her.
He held her hand and stroked her hair,
He held her and showed love in a tender way.
In a fragile voice she said:
She expressed her emotions in a gentle voice.
"Where've you been? "
Where have you been all this time?
"I've looked for you forever and a day."
I have been searching for you endlessly.
"Where've you been?"
Where have you been all this time?
"I'm just not myself when you're away."
I am not whole without you beside me.
"No, I'm just not myself when you're away."
I am never really myself without you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DON HENRY, JON VEZNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Didier Labossiere
My Dad passed away from Alzheimer’s last year. It really is the long goodbye. After his diagnosis, we watched him decline over seven years. He lived an amazing life, and we miss him every day. Thank you, Miss Kathy, for this beautiful masterpiece 🙏🏾✝️❤️
Patti Walton
This should be used in Alzheimer's Disease commercials. This IS a POWERFUL Song!!!! The Love, Compassion and Kindness in Kathy's Voice IS just absolutely Amazing and Beautiful!!! I saw this when this song came out on MTV. I cried my eyes and heart out and all these years later, it is unchanged! Thank You Kathy, You are one of the most Precious and Beautiful Souls that Graced our World!!!!
Barbara Drake
I am so sorry for your loss. This song is very touching to those of us that has lost a loved one. I pray that God puts his arms around you and comforts you during this time and let you know you are not alone ❤
normad cire
I love this song. My mom has Alzeimers and getting worse every day. My dad wont leave her side. Both are still at home though. It is wearing him out physically and mentally. They have been married 62 years. It's tough to see the situation but so beautiful to see the love they have for each other. Marragie shouldnt be a trial basis sort of thing. God brought them together and blesses them every day.
Scott Fisher
This beautiful song reminds me of my deceased parents. After we lost Dad, Mom was never the same. She carried on and was strong, but knowing her, she missed her mate. Mom joined Dad 20 months after his death. I miss them both, but they are reunited in the presence of the Lord. And that, my friend, is also beautiful!
Patricia Smethatsit
Yes, it is.
nanharvickfan4
My grandparents were in a nursing home same room thank God. There were 6 months apart in death. ❤
James F. Gilmartin
I can relate after my mum passed in 2012 me Da was never the same and 1 year and 7 months later he passed.
georgejunior leedom
Wonderful song though.🤑
barneyself9657
KATHY, damn you for true perspective and thank you so much for describing my relationship with my late wife. This is is one of the most generous and loving songs outside my Great Grandmother's old country heartfelt ditties. You are a a wonderful minstrel and I thank you for overcoming my sadness. Kind. Loving. Forgiving. You are an American Treasure.