Formed in 1999, t… Read Full Bio ↴Little Big Town is an American country music band.
Formed in 1999, the band has four members: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet. There is no lead singer in the band; instead, they trade lead vocal duties as well as rely on the harmonies of the four members.
Little Big Town's self-titled 2002 debut for Sony's Monument Records was panned critically and did not sell commercially. The album had only one minor hit single, "Don't Waste My Time," and it wasn't long before Little Big Town was dropped from the label.
Little Big Town resurfaced on the Equity Music Group label (formed by country singer Clint Black), and on October 4, 2005, released their second album, The Road to Here. The new album was well-received critically, and spawned the smash hit single "Boondocks." Three further singles were released from the album, including the Top 5 hit "Bring It on Home."
Their second album with the Equity label, A Place to Land, was released in 2007. Although, not long after its release, the label folded. Little Big Town then re-released the album a year later via Capitol Nashville. Two of the album's singles were minor Top 40 hits.
In 2010, the group returned with "Little White Church," the lead-off to their fourth studio album, The Reason Why, which was released on August 24, 2010.
Evangeline
Little Big Town Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He won't wreck your pretty face
But hell tell you that your worthless
Just to put you in your place
Well you don't have to be kicked to bruised, no
You don't have to be hit to be abused
[Chorus]
Your denial is polstered by your dreams
Thinking love is gonna save you
But I ain't love if its mean Evangeline
And the smile that your wearing
Is just to hide the pain
Through the secrets that your hiding
That are just to dark to tell
You have to be cut to be scarred no
You don't have to be struck to leave a mark
[Chorus]
You don't have to be kicked to be bruised no
You don't have to be hit to be abused
[Chorus]
It ain't love Evangeline
It ain't love Evangeline
It ain't love Evangeline
It ain't love Evangeline
It ain't love Evangeline
The lyrics of Little Big Town's song Evangeline warn about the dangers of toxic relationships and the façade of love that can sometimes disguise abuse. The first verse tackles the issue of emotional abuse, stating that a partner doesn't have to hit or physically harm you to abuse you. The abuser might tell you that you are worthless or put you down in other ways to assert their control over you. The second verse speaks to the idea of putting on a brave face and hiding the pain from others, even those closest to you. The bridge reinforces the message that abuse leaves a lasting impact even if it might not be visible to others.
The chorus addresses the character of Evangeline, recognizing that she is a strong and resilient person who might be in denial about the reality of her relationship. While she hopes that love will save her, the song recognizes that love is not meant to be mean or hurtful. The repetition of the line "It ain't love Evangeline" in the final moments of the song drives the message home.
Overall, this song is a powerful statement on the dangers of abusive relationships and the idea that love should never come at the cost of our self-worth.
Line by Line Meaning
He won't lay a finger on you
The abuser won't physically harm you
He won't wreck your pretty face
The abuser won't damage your physical appearance
But he'll tell you that you're worthless
The abuser will emotionally abuse you by putting you down
Just to put you in your place
The abuser uses emotional abuse to control you
Well you don't have to be kicked to bruised, no
Abuse doesn't have to be physical to hurt you
You don't have to be hit to be abused
Abuse can take many forms beyond physical violence
[Chorus] Evanlgeline your a hard one
Evangeline is strong-willed and difficult to control
Your denial is polstered by your dreams
Evangeline is in denial about the reality of her situation because she clings to her own dreams
Thinking love is gonna save you
Evangeline believes that love will solve her problems
But I ain't love if its mean Evangeline
Love shouldn't be abusive, and Evangeline needs to recognize that
And the smile that your wearing
Evangeline is trying to hide her pain by pretending to be happy
Is just to hide the pain
Evangeline is suffering and is covering it up with a false smile
Through the secrets that your hiding
Evangeline is keeping dark secrets about her life and situation
That are just too dark to tell
The secrets that Evangeline is keeping are too difficult to reveal
You have to be cut to be scarred no
Emotional trauma can leave lasting scars just like physical wounds
You don't have to be struck to leave a mark
Abuse can leave a lasting, hurtful impact even if it's not physical
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus
It ain't love Evangeline
True love doesn't involve abuse, and Evangeline needs to realize that
It ain't love Evangeline
Repeating the message that love shouldn't be abusive
It ain't love Evangeline
Repeating the message that love shouldn't be abusive
It ain't love Evangeline
Repeating the message that love shouldn't be abusive
It ain't love Evangeline
Repeating the message that love shouldn't be abusive
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTHEW SWEET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind