Probably Wouldn't Be This Way
LeAnn Rimes Lyrics


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Got a date a week from Friday with a preacher's son
Everybody says he's crazy; I'll have to see

I finally moved to Jackson when the summer came
I won't have to pay that boy to rake my leaves

I'm probably going on and on
It seems I'm doing more of that these days

I probably wouldn't be this way
I probably wouldn't hurt so bad
I never pictured every minute without you in it
Oh, you left so fast
Sometimes I see you standing there
Sometimes it's like I'm losing touch
Sometimes I feel that I'm so lucky to have had the chance to love this much
God gave me a moment's grace
'Cause if I never see your face
I probably wouldn't be this way

Mama says that I just shouldn't speak to you
Susan says that I should just move on

You ought to see the way these people look at me
When they see me 'round here talking to this stone

Everybody thinks I've lost my mind
But I just take it day by day

I probably wouldn't be this way
I probably wouldn't hurt so bad
I never pictured every minute without you in it
Oh, you left so fast
Sometimes I see you standing there
Sometimes I feel an angel's touch
Sometimes I feel that I'm so lucky to have had the chance to love this much
God gave me a moment's grace
'Cause if I never see your face
I probably wouldn't be this way

I probably wouldn't be this way

Got a date a week from Friday with a preacher's son




Everybody says I'm crazy
Guess I'll have to see

Overall Meaning

The song "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way" by LeAnn Rimes is a heart-wrenching account of a woman grappling with the loss of a loved one. The first verse talks about her meeting with a preacher's son and how everyone around her characterizes him as crazy. However, she has to see for herself. The next section of the verse describes her move to Jackson and how she won't have to pay anyone to rake her leaves anymore. It's almost like she's trying to justify why she moved there, as if the workload was too much for her, and she needed a change.


The chorus is where the emotions start to rush in. The lyrics express how the woman is having a tough time coping with the loss of a loved one, and if she hadn't gone through this, she wouldn't be the way she is today. She ruminates on how she probably wouldn't hurt so deeply, and she never pictured each minute without her loved one in it. She remembers how her loved one left without any warning and how at times, she feels lucky to have had the chance to love them so much. The woman also attributes God's grace to having been able to experience love at that intensity.


The second verse describes how her mother and Susan are telling her how she shouldn't talk to her loved one anymore and should start to move on. But she can't help herself from speaking to the lost love, even when people start looking at her strangely. She talks about how people think she's lost her mind, but she takes it day by day. This verse reinforces the idea of coping with loss slowly and processing grief at a pace that suits the individual.


Line by Line Meaning

Got a date a week from Friday with a preacher's son
I have a date lined up with a preacher's son a week from Friday


Everybody says he's crazy; I'll have to see
People have been warning me about him, but I'll make my own judgment after I meet him


I finally moved to Jackson when the summer came
I moved to Jackson when the summer began


I won't have to pay that boy to rake my leaves
I won't have to pay someone to rake my leaves because I will be living in Jackson now


I'm probably going on and on
I may be talking too much


It seems I'm doing more of that these days
It feels like I tend to ramble more often these days


I probably wouldn't be this way
I might not feel this way if things had turned out differently


I probably wouldn't hurt so bad
I may not be experiencing so much pain if things had been different


I never pictured every minute without you in it
I never imagined how difficult it would be to live without you being a part of every moment


Oh, you left so fast
You left me so abruptly, it was hard for me to process


Sometimes I see you standing there
Sometimes I imagine that you are still with me


Sometimes it's like I'm losing touch
At times, it feels like I've lost my connection to you


Sometimes I feel that I'm so lucky to have had the chance to love this much
Despite the pain of losing you, I am grateful for the opportunity to have loved someone so deeply


God gave me a moment's grace
I feel like God has helped me through this difficult time, even if only for a short while


Cause if I never see your face
If I never see you again


I probably wouldn't be this way
I may not be feeling this same level of pain if I hadn't lost you


Mama says that I just shouldn't speak to you
My mother thinks that I shouldn't talk to you


Susan says that I should just move on
My friend Susan thinks that I should move on from our relationship


You ought to see the way these people look at me
People give me strange looks when they see me talking to your gravestone


When they see me 'round here talking to this stone
When people see me talking to your gravestone


Everybody thinks I've lost my mind
People think that I am crazy


But I just take it day by day
I try to take things one day at a time


I never pictured every minute without you in it
I never thought about what it would be like without you in every moment of my life


Sometimes I see you standing there
Sometimes I feel like you are still with me


Sometimes I feel an angel's touch
At times, I feel comforted as if an angel is watching over me


I probably wouldn't be this way
If things had been different, I may not be feeling so much pain




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DAVIS KENNEDY, TAMMI LYNN KIDD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@BizInTheFrontPartyInTheBack

Country songs that have brought me to the brink of tears:
1. Letters From Home - John Michael Montgomery
2. The Little Girl - also John Michael Montgomery
3. Travelin' Soldier - Dixie Chicks
4. If You're Reading This - Tim McGraw
5. Who You'd Be Today - Kenny Chesney
6. Just a Dream - Carrie Underwood
7. Temporary Home - Carrie Underwood
8. Can't Love You Back - Easton Corbin
9. this one



All comments from YouTube:

@catherineball1725

I lost my 1st kiss 💋, my 1st love and we were just kids when he died at 13yrs. I'm 52 and still think about that boy. He lives inside my ❤

@crystalwaukera1853

😥

@christalruiz6310

Catherine Ball I’m so sorry can I ask how he passed away at such a young age😞 this song means a lot to me my first ever love left me it hurt and I know I will never get over it💔

@00Panda2

I also relate to this song. The person I chose and who chose me took his life. I think about him every day. 😥

@christalruiz6310

@@00Panda2 I’m so sorry how long ago was that💔 the guy this song is about I know I should have never been with but dang I was so lonely now he only calls or texts when he wants something but I still jump I have to stop that he was very cruel and evil to me but I wanted and needed the attention

@saffastorm5598

Well he has a safe home in such a beautiful heart. Much love to you, and to everyone who's ever lost a dear one 💛

41 More Replies...

@kristenraby8964

15 years today and everyone says i can't love a ghost the rest of my life. But I can't let go of our life together. I miss him everyday

@laurenbauer3554

He would want you to be happy. ❤️

@tracymdeoleo4899

You absolutely can...he's not a ghost....you can't feel a "ghost". You feel the forever love that you shared with them and that NEVER goes away. Even when you "move on"....it's still there and doesn't make it any less for the person you miss or for the person that can physically hold you now. Hugs to you my dear. Don't let anyone EVER tell YOU how YOU are supposed to feel or live.

@caryl.8182

10 years for me.

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