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.
Thou Shalt Not Steal
Kitty Wells Lyrics
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But I have found the love I want
My heart knows that it's real
I found him in my best friend's arms
I stole him though I meant no harm
I found myself a sweetheart and lost myself a friend
The love I thought I'd found was just a careless dream
Since then I've realized some things
But I can't trade my love for pride
My conscience just can't be my guide
Too late to head the warning the law thou shalt not steal
I stole to satisfy a longing in my heart
I didn't stop to realize
The trouble I would start
To steal a love is wrong you'll find
You'll end up with a faceless kind
Too late to head the warning the law thou shalt not steal
Kitty Wells's song Thou Shalt Not Steal is a powerful and introspective piece about the moral conflict one experiences when they steal something that their heart truly desires. The lyrics allude to the biblical commandment that states "thou shall not steal," and the singer is aware of the wrongness of her action but also unable to resist the love that she has found. The song narrates her journey of falling in love with her best friend's man and stealing him from her, a decision that not only cost her a friend but also led her to question the true nature of her love.
The lyrics convey a sense of regret and longing for the love that she now possesses but knows that it has come at a great cost. The line "The love I thought I'd found was just a careless dream" is particularly poignant as it demonstrates her realization that the love she thought was real wasn't what it seemed. In the end, the singer struggles to reconcile her love for this man with her guilt for stealing him and knows that she has gone against a divine law.
In summary, the song Thou Shalt Not Steal is a confession of the dilemma one faces when their heart and actions don't align with their moral compass. It's a reminder that our actions have consequences, and the decisions we make may result in more significant losses than gains.
Line by Line Meaning
In the bible it says thou shall not steal
The Bible prohibits stealing
But I have found the love I want
I have found the love that I desired
My heart knows that it's real
I believe that the love I found is genuine
I found him in my best friend's arms
I discovered the love of my life with my best friend
I stole him though I meant no harm
I took him, but I didn't intend to hurt anyone
I found myself a sweetheart and lost myself a friend
I gained a lover but lost a friend
The love I thought I'd found was just a careless dream
The love I imagined was only a fleeting illusion
Since then I've realized some things
I've learned some valuable lessons
Aren't always what they seem
Things aren't always as they appear to be
But I can't trade my love for pride
I cannot sacrifice my love for my ego
My conscience just can't be my guide
I cannot rely solely on my conscience to make decisions
Too late to head the warning the law thou shalt not steal
Although I should have heeded the warning of 'thou shalt not steal,' it's too late now
I stole to satisfy a longing in my heart
I stole because I yearned for something dearly
I didn't stop to realize
I didn't pause to think about the consequences
The trouble I would start
The problems that would arise from my actions
To steal a love is wrong you'll find
Taking someone's love is immoral
You'll end up with a faceless kind
You'll ultimately have someone that doesn't truly love you
Too late to head the warning the law thou shalt not steal
Although I should have heeded the warning of 'thou shalt not steal,' it's too late now
Writer(s): JOHN D. LOUDERMILK
Contributed by Olivia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.