Either Way
Lee Ann Womack Lyrics


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We pass in the hall
On our way to separate rooms
The only time we ever talk
Is when the monthly bills are due

We go work, we go to church
We fake the perfect life
I'm past the point of give a damn
And all my tears are cried

[Chorus]
We can just go on like this
Say the word we'll call it quits
Baby you can go or you can stay
I won't love you either way

It's been so long since I felt
Anything inside these walls
You can't hate and you can't hurt
When you don't feel at all

I used to cry and stay up nights
And wonder what went wrong
It's been hard but hearts can only
Do that for so long





[Chorus: x2]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lee Ann Womack's "Either Way" reveals the struggles of a failing domestic relationship. The verses describe a couple that only speaks to each other when monthly bills need to be paid. They go through their routines of going to work and going to church, pretending to have a perfect life. The singer has reached a point where she does not care anymore, all her tears are cried, and there is no emotion within the walls of their home.


The chorus presents the singer giving an ultimatum, that they can either continue the way they are, or they can end the relationship. However, she delivers this ultimatum with an indifferent attitude. The second verse explains how she used to feel hurt and cry for the relationship but has grown numb over time. The concluding repetition of the chorus emphasizes that she won't love him in either direction he chooses to take.


The song paints a vivid picture of a couple stuck in a loveless relationship. It puts into perspective how toxins can build up in relationships over time and how people can become indifferent towards their partners. The lyrics, combined with the slow tempo, accentuate the tale of a slow-burning breakup.


Line by Line Meaning

We pass in the hall
We walk by each other in the hallway


On our way to separate rooms
But we're not going to the same place


The only time we ever talk
We only speak when we need to discuss money


Is when the monthly bills are due
When we have to pay for things we can't avoid each other


We go work, we go to church
We go through the motions of our daily lives


We fake the perfect life
But we're not happy together


I'm past the point of give a damn
I don't care anymore


And all my tears are cried
I have no more tears to shed


We can just go on like this
We can continue living like we are now


Say the word we'll call it quits
If you want to end things, just say so


Baby you can go or you can stay
You can choose to leave or stay, it doesn't matter to me


I won't love you either way
My feelings for you have faded


It's been so long since I felt
It's been a while since I experienced


Anything inside these walls
Emotions within this house or relationship


You can't hate and you can't hurt
It's difficult to hate or hurt someone when you don't feel anything


When you don't feel at all
When you're emotionally numb


I used to cry and stay up nights
I used to be upset and lose sleep over our relationship struggles


And wonder what went wrong
I used to ponder where things went awry


It's been hard but hearts can only
It's been challenging, but our hearts can only endure so much


Do that for so long
Emotions can only persist for a limited time


[Chorus: x2]
Repeat the chorus twice




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kendell Wayne Marvel, Timothy A. James, Christopher Alvin Stapleton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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