He was catapulted into fame by his hit, semi-autobiographical, country music song, "The Auctioneer", in 1956 and has been a renowned auctioneer and entertainer since. "The Auctioneer", which sold over two and a half million copies, was followed by the 1967 movie, What Am I Bid, in which Van Dyke played himself as an auctioneer.
His next hit song, "Walk on By", reached number one on the Billboard Country Music Chart in 1961, and remained on the charts for 37 weeks. In 1994 Billboard Magazine designated "Walk on By" as the No.1 country song in chart history. Van Dyke had one more major hit song, "If a Woman Answers (Hang up the Phone)", that reached No.3 on the country chart in 1962, as well as having a brief presence in the UK Singles Chart the same year with "Big Man in a Big House".
Van Dyke's final two minor country successes were "Happy To Be Unhappy" and "Night People" (both in 1964). He also co-hosted a radio show called Country Crossroads with Bill Mack and Jerry Clower for a number of years. This show was produced and distributed by the Southern Baptist Convention.
Leroy Van Dyke continues as an auctioneer, musician and motivational speaker, although he has largely retired to his home state.
Heartaches By The Number
Leroy Van Dyke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never knew that I could hurt this way
And heartache number 2 was when you come back again
You came back but never meant to stay
Now I've got heartaches by the number
Troubles by the score
Every day you love me less
Yes, I've got heartaches by the number
A love that I can't win
But the day that I stop counting
That's the day my world will end
Heartache number 3 was when you called me
And said that you was coming back to stay
With hopeful heart I waited for your knock on the door
I waited but you must have lost your way
Now I've got heartaches by the number
Troubles by the score
Every day you love me less
Each day I love you more
Yes, I've got heartaches by the number
A love that I can't win
But the day that I stop counting
That's the day my world will end
Leroy Van Dyke's song "Heartaches by the Number" describes the heartaches experienced by the singer due to a failed relationship. Heartache number one occurred when she left, and he did not know the extent to which it would cause him pain. Heartache number two was when she returned, but her intention was not to stay, which added to his pain. The singer proceeds to narrate that his love for her keeps increasing, but her love for him keeps dwindling. He has multiple heartaches and troubles, and his love for her seems unrequited. Nevertheless, he continues to count his heartaches and troubles every day, as that signifies his love for her.
One can interpret this song as a portrayal of unrequited love, a theme that is common in many love songs. It highlights the struggle of trying to keep a romantic relationship alive while one partner seems disinterested. The persona in the song appears to be putting in more effort into the relationship than the other party, which is causing him heartaches and troubles. This situation can be relatable to many individuals who have experienced similar circumstances in their relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Heartache number 1 was when you left me
The first of my many pains came when you abandoned me
I never knew that I could hurt this way
I had no idea that I could feel such great pain
And heartache number 2 was when you come back again
The second heartache came when you returned, but had no intention of staying
You came back but never meant to stay
Although you reappeared, it was only temporarily and not to stay with me
Now I've got heartaches by the number
I suffer from countless heartaches
Troubles by the score
My problems seem to be never-ending
Every day you love me less
With each passing day, your love for me is diminishing
Each day I love you more
Simultaneously, I fall more deeply in love with you
Yes, I've got heartaches by the number
The pains I feel are innumerable
A love that I can't win
My love for you is hopeless and cannot be reciprocated
But the day that I stop counting
However, the day that I finally stop keeping track
That's the day my world will end
Is the day that my life will crumble into nothingness
Heartache number 3 was when you called me
The third heartbreak occurred when you phoned me
And said that you was coming back to stay
And told me that you were going to remain with me
With hopeful heart I waited for your knock on the door
Filled with hopefulness, I eagerly waited for you to arrive at my door
I waited but you must have lost your way
But alas, you never showed up - perhaps you lost your way
Contributed by Tristan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
anthony belcher
Awesome song
Sondra Smith
Brings back memories of me singing this as a child all the time.
Sonny Dave
Good version of the much covered Harlan Howard classic.
Nilani Siriwardena
FABULOUS. LOVE IT SO MUCH.
Sondra Smith
I could reach people with my voice then and now.
John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a ma keen 74yo Aussie fan..
Jack Fischer
This is real country music
Lester Beedell
Why do people feel the need to downvote a video, if you don’t like it then surely just move on?
nunya nunya
If this is earl you left me 🥺
Spicy Monkey
Fallout newvegas anyone?