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.
I'm Paying for That Backstreet Affair
Kitty Wells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Writers Jimmy Rule, Billy Wallace
Yes, I thought that you were true when I fell in love with you
For you told me you always would play square
Then I learned you had a home , that your wife had not gone wrong
And our love was just a backstreet affair
Was too late to say no when I found you'd fooled me so
Though I knew I must atone, but my will was not my own
I'm paying for that backstreet affair
You didn't count the cost, you gambled and I lost
Now I must pay with hours of deep despair
You still can live your life with a true, forgiving wife
But I can't live down our backstreet affair
The love I gave so free is left to torture me
Though I know it's hopeless and it isn't fair
But, still I must go on while the gossips spread are wrong
I'm paying for that backstreet affair
The song "Paying for That Backstreet Affair" by Kitty Wells tells the story of a woman who fell in love with a man who lied about being married. She thought he was true and would be faithful to her, but she soon found out that he had a wife and their love was only a backstreet affair. Despite knowing that she was wrong, the woman couldn't resist the man and continued their affair. However, she came to regret it deeply and was left alone, paying for her mistake.
Throughout the song, the woman expresses her feelings of remorse, regret, and despair. She knows that what she did was wrong and that she is paying the price for her actions. Her heart is heavy with the pain of lost love, and she's left to live with the consequences of her choices.
The song's lyrics are simple, yet they convey a powerful message about the danger of infidelity and the consequences that come with it. It serves as a warning to anyone who might be considering cheating on their partner or getting involved in an affair. In the end, the woman pays the price for her choices, and the song serves as a cautionary tale for anyone who might be caught up in a similar situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, I thought that you were true when I fell in love with you
I believed you were honest when I fell in love with you
For you told me you always would play square
You promised to be truthful and loyal
Then I learned you had a home , that your wife had not gone wrong
Later, I discovered you were already married and your wife was faithful
And our love was just a backstreet affair
Our relationship was a secret and illicit affair
Was too late to say no when I found you'd fooled me so
I realized too late that you had deceived me
For as time passed on I'd learned too much to care
Over time I discovered the truth and stopped caring about you
Though I knew I must atone, but my will was not my own
I knew I had to make amends, but I felt powerless to do so
I'm paying for that backstreet affair
I am suffering the consequences for our secret love
You didn't count the cost, you gambled and I lost
You didn't consider the consequences of our relationship and I suffered as a result
Now I must pay with hours of deep despair
I am paying for our affair with great sadness and regret
You still can live your life with a true, forgiving wife
You can continue your life with a loyal and understanding spouse
But I can't live down our backstreet affair
I can't escape the shame and guilt of our secret relationship
The love I gave so free is left to torture me
The love I freely gave now haunts and torments me
Though I know it's hopeless and it isn't fair
I realize that our situation is hopeless and unfair
But, still I must go on while the gossips spread are wrong
Despite the rumors, I must try to move forward and live my life
I'm paying for that backstreet affair
Once again, I must suffer the consequences of our secret love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marythompson5458
KITTY IS THE QUEEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC SHE BINGS TEARS TO MY EYES SO TRUE
@gilberthornick6924
The original Queen of country music. Loved all her music
@andrewkeegan2772
I love, all kitty's music its fantastic and she is a beautiful woman
@davidhudson6754
This lady was Queen of Country Music and the First Lady of Country music for about 25 years. This was one of her very best songs. She was pure country gold in just about everything she recorded. A class act in everyway
@theresachiorazzi4571
Rest In Peace kitty queen of country music
@helenmain
Kitty is the epitome of country music,such a brilliant way of sharing such god given talent .Thank you for sharing
@cadjunk
Yes, this is a classic. Thanks for sharing. She is one of the greatest. Take care. Gwen
@earlslot8320
true queen of country music, she set a high standard
@barbarakaminski1695
Wonderful memories of your true authentic country
music. Rest in peace
Kitty Wells.
@CraftsmanExplorer
I just love Kitty Wells singing