Kitty Wells (born Muriel Deason on 30 August 1919 - 16 July 2012) is a coun… Read Full Bio ↴Kitty Wells (born Muriel Deason on 30 August 1919 - 16 July 2012) is a country singer from Nashville, Tennessee, known as the Queen of Country Music. During the 1950s she was the only female vocalist to consistently hit the top of the country charts and her stardom was on the same level as the biggest male vocalists of the period.

Wells' success in the 1950s and 1960s was so enormous that she still ranks as the sixth most successful female vocalist in the history of the Billboard country charts according to historian Joel Whitburn's book "The Top 40 Country Hits", behind Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, and Tanya Tucker. Wells was the third country music artist, behind Roy Acuff and Hank Williams, to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991 as well as being the seventh woman and first Caucasian woman to receive the honor. In 1976, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Heart Over Mind
Kitty Wells Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I may look old for my years and these wrinkles on my face
They were put there by my kids I love so dear
They won't listen to what I say and it's turning my hair gray
The kids grow older and hurt me more each year
When they were little they sat on my knee I gave them all my love from the start
Now they're too big to sit on my knee they're stepping all over my heart

They're my own flesh and blood so no matter what they do

I will love them in a mother's special way
I pray to God each day and night that my kids turn out right
These are heartaches every mother has to pay

When they were little...
Oh yes they're stepping all over my heart

Overall Meaning

In the song Heart Over Mind by Kitty Wells, the lyrics describe the emotional turmoil of a mother as her children grow older and become increasingly rebellious. The first stanza outlines how the mother's physical appearance reflects the emotional toll her children's behavior has taken on her, and how their disregard for her advice and love is causing her distress. The second stanza highlights the conflicted emotions the mother holds, as she loves her children despite their behavior, and prays for their well-being even as they cause her heartache. The repeated phrase "they're stepping all over my heart" drives home the intense pain the mother feels as her children continue to push her away.

The song speaks to the universal experience of parental pain as children grow up and become their own people, with their own beliefs and behaviors that may not always align with those of their parents. The lyrics show the complexity of the mother-child relationship, with the mother's love shining through despite the hurt she feels. The song also highlights the harsh reality that mothers, and parents in general, often bear the burden of their children's actions, while still loving them deeply and unconditionally.

Line by Line Meaning

I may look old for my years and these wrinkles on my face
My kids have caused me stress and worry that shows on my face as wrinkles.

They were put there by my kids I love so dear
My love for my kids has caused these wrinkles through the stress they've put me through.

They won't listen to what I say and it's turning my hair gray
My children's lack of respect and disregard for my advice is causing me great anxiety.

The kids grow older and hurt me more each year
My children's lack of consideration and disrespect towards me gets worse with every passing year.

When they were little they sat on my knee I gave them all my love from the start
When they were young, I loved and cared for them with all my being, holding them close and showering them with affection.

Now they're too big to sit on my knee they're stepping all over my heart
Now that my children are grown and more disrespectful, they're causing me deep emotional pain by not treating me with love and respect.

They're my own flesh and blood so no matter what they do
No matter what my children do, they will always be my own biological children, and they will always hold a special place in my heart.

I will love them in a mother's special way
As a mother, my love for my children is unconditional and special, no matter how they treat me.

I pray to God each day and night that my kids turn out right
Every day and night, I pray to God that my children learn to treat me with the love, respect, and kindness that I deserve.

These are heartaches every mother has to pay
As a mother, it is heartbreaking to see your children grow up to hurt you, but it is an unavoidable part of parenthood.

When they were little...
Referencing the earlier lines where her children were young and loving.

Oh yes they're stepping all over my heart
Her children's current lack of love and respect is causing her emotional pain and sadness.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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