Fowler put together a country band in 1998 and began playing Tuesday nights at Babe's on Sixth Street in Austin. Within two years, he'd begun recording albums and struck big with his self-released Beer, Bait and Ammo (2000). The album sold around 30,000 copies in the Texas area and garnered an impressive amount of airplay, particularly for the album's title track. The song became somewhat of a Texas anthem; Mark Chesnutt made the song part of his live show, and Sammy Kershaw recorded it. Fowler returned in 2002 with his third album, High on the Hog, and boasted some impressive guests, including Willie Nelson and David Lee Garza.
Read Between The Lines
Kevin Fowler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something is wrong, but he won't say
The way he's acting should give it away
Stayin' out late not sayin' a word
The sign posts they are red
There's a rough road up ahead
Well, I could spell it out in black and white
It's no use 'cause you won't try
To see what's going on around you
(chorus)
Girl if you don't know by now
Guess I'll have to spell it out
He may not say what's on his mind
'Gotta learn to read between the lines
You played the fool, oh you played it well
But it's time you should be changin'
With your head in the sand it's hard to tell
Just what he's trying to do
Half truths and all his lies
And them half-baked alibis
Well now, you've been holdin' on too hard for too long
(chorus)
(solos)
(chorus x 2)
Oh no no, oh no no, read between the lines
oh no no, oh no no, gotta read between the
girl if you don't know by now I guess I'll have to spell it out for you.
The song "Read Between The Lines" by Kevin Fowler tells the story of a relationship that is on the brink of falling apart. The singer sings about a man who is distant and uncommunicative, and the woman who is struggling to understand what is going on with him. It's clear from his behavior that something is wrong, but he won't say what it is. He stays out late and doesn't talk, leaving the woman to try to figure out what's going on by herself.
The singer urges the woman to read between the lines, to look deeper than the surface and try to understand what the man is really saying without actually saying it. He suggests that she has been holding on too hard for too long, and that it's time for her to change if she wants to salvage the relationship. The chorus repeats the message that the woman needs to learn to read between the lines.
The imagery used in the song is powerful and poignant. The metaphor of the signposts being red and warning of a rough road ahead is particularly effective, as it suggests that the relationship is headed for disaster unless both parties start communicating more honestly with each other. Overall, "Read Between The Lines" is a thoughtful examination of the challenges of communication in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Something is wrong, but he won't say
There is an issue between the singer and the person he is addressing, but the other person is not willing to talk about it.
The way he's acting should give it away
Though he isn't speaking, the singer can tell from the other person's actions that something is amiss.
Stayin' out late not sayin' a word
The other person is going out without communicating where he is going or what he is doing.
Silence says everything
The other person's silence is communicating more to the artist than any words could.
The sign posts they are red
There are warning signs indicating that something bad may happen soon.
There's a rough road up ahead
The situation between the singer and the other person is going to be difficult and painful to navigate.
Well, I could spell it out in black and white
The singer could explain the situation clearly and directly, but he doesn't think the other person would listen.
It's no use 'cause you won't try
The other person will not make an effort to understand what is going on or why the artist is upset.
To see what's going on around you
The other person is not aware of what is happening in their relationship and is not paying attention to the warning signs.
Girl if you don't know by now
The other person should already know what is going on in their relationship.
He may not say what's on his mind
The other person is not speaking openly and honestly about their feelings or thoughts.
'Gotta learn to read between the lines
The other person needs to interpret the artist's actions and behavior to understand what is really happening in the relationship.
You played the fool, oh you played it well
The other person has been pretending that everything is fine when it clearly is not.
But it's time you should be changin'
It is time for the other person to recognize the problems in their relationship and make an effort to address them.
With your head in the sand it's hard to tell
The other person is not willing to acknowledge the issues in their relationship and is avoiding dealing with them.
Just what he's trying to do
It is unclear what the other person's intentions are, and his behavior is confusing the artist.
Half truths and all his lies
The other person is not being completely honest with the artist, and is likely withholding important information.
And them half-baked alibis
The other person is coming up with excuses and reasons for his actions that are not entirely believable.
Well now, you've been holdin' on too hard for too long
The other person has been clinging to their relationship even though it isn't working, and it's time to let go.
Oh no no, oh no no, read between the lines
The artist is urging the other person to look more closely at their situation and understand what is really happening.
oh no no, oh no no, gotta read between the
The artist is emphasizing that it is critical for the other person to understand the subtext of their interactions and communication.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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