Lynn was born in Butcher Hollow, Van Lear, Kentucky in 1932. According to Songfacts, Loretta Lynn's superstar Country career started in 1960 when she recorded " I'm a Honky Tonk Girl " as her debut single. The song was a minor hit, climbing to #14 on Billboard's C&W Chart. By the late 1960s she had begun picking up various Female Vocalist of the Year trophies and in 1972 the singer became the first woman in history to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year trophy. Lynn dominated the Country charts throughout the rest of the decade and has continued to record hit records through the ensuing years. Her 50th anniversary year began with the award of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement on January 31, 2010.
Lynn released over 70 albums. She is the sister of country singer Crystal Gayle (born in Paintsville, Kentucky) and Peggy Sue, and is a cousin of Patty Loveless. Her father was a coal miner in Van Lear. Her biography was made into the 1980 film, Coal Miner's Daughter.
The Sadness Of It All
Loretta Lynn Lyrics
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Feedin' locals and passers by
She never complains of a heartache and pain
But sometimes she breaks down to cry
And her honky tonk husband spends most of his time
Drinking whiskey and watching TV
And now rumor has it he's foolin' around
But the rumor she she does not believe
And the sadness of that all is I could fall
Like rain from the sky for you
Sadness of that all is I could fall
Like rain from the sky for you
Each night at nine around closin' time
He drops by to say hello
We sit down and talk and go for walk
It gets just as far as it goes
And the sadness of it all...
And the sadness of it all...
In Loretta Lynn's song "The Sadness Of It All", the lyrics describe the story of a waitress who works tirelessly at a gloomy cafe, feeding locals and travelers, while bearing the pain and heartache silently. She occasionally breaks down and cries, but she never complains. Her husband, who also frequents the cafe, spends most of his time drinking whiskey and watching TV. There are rumors that he is having an affair, but the waitress chooses to dismiss them.
The chorus, "And the sadness of it all is I could fall, like rain from the sky for you," speaks of the waitress's desire to love and be loved, despite the sadness that surrounds her. The lines "Each night at nine around closin' time, He drops by to say hello, We sit down and talk and go for walk, It gets just as far as it goes" suggests that there is another man who comes to the cafe, who shows interest in the waitress, but their relationship does not progress any further.
The song's lyrics are heartbreaking and relatable, exploring the themes of love and heartbreak, loneliness and hope, and the desire for something more, despite the sadness and despair that surrounds us.
Line by Line Meaning
She works day and night in a dingy cafe
She spends long hours working in a less than desirable setting serving the locals and those passing through
Feedin' locals and passers by
She provides sustenance and nourishment for the people in her community and those just passing through
She never complains of a heartache and pain
Despite internal struggles, she never vocalizes her emotional turmoil
But sometimes she breaks down to cry
However, every so often her emotions spill over and she succumbs to crying in private
And her honky tonk husband spends most of his time
Her spouse spends the majority of his days at the honky tonk bar
Drinking whiskey and watching TV
He passes the time by consuming alcohol and watching television
And now rumor has it he's foolin' around
There are whispers that he is unfaithful to her
But the rumor she does not believe
Despite what she hears, she doesn't believe the rumors of his infidelity
Each night at nine around closin' time
Around the time the cafe closes, he comes to visit her each night
He drops by to say hello
He stops by to simply greet her
We sit down and talk and go for walk
They spend their time in conversation and taking strolls
It gets just as far as it goes
However, their relationship doesn't advance beyond this point
And the sadness of it all...
Despite the struggles she deals with, her sadness runs deeper
And the sadness of it all...
Her sadness is all consuming and pervasive
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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