Combs, an only child, was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and moved to Asheville, North Carolina at the age of 8. He has been performing as a vocalist since childhood. While attending A. C. Reynolds High School, Combs played football and performed with multiple vocal groups, including performing a solo in the world-renowned Carnegie Hall. Later, he attended Appalachian State University where he worked as a bouncer at a bar before gaining stage time in that same bar. He played his first country music show at the Parthenon Cafe. With less than a month left in his senior year, he dropped out to pursue his country music career. He later moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a career in music.
Combs released his first EP, The Way She Rides, in February 2014. Later that year, he released his second EP, Can I Get an Outlaw. In 2016, Combs' first single, "Hurricane", sold 15,000 copies in its first week, and debuted at #46 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. In November 2015, Combs released his third EP, This One's for You. In late 2016, Combs was named one of Sounds Like Nashville's "Artists to Watch".
Combs signed a deal with Sony Music Nashville, and the debut single from This One's for You, "Hurricane", was re-released on Columbia Nashville. "Hurricane" reached #1 on the country radio airplay chart on May 15, 2017, holding that spot for two weeks.
In June 2017, Combs released his major label debut album, also titled This One's for You on Columbia Nashville and River House Artists. The album reached #1 on Billboard Top Country Albums and #5 on the US Billboard 200 in its first week. The album's second single, "When It Rains It Pours" was released to country radio on June 19, 2017. It reached #1 on the Country Airplay chart in October 2017. The album's third single, "One Number Away" was released to country radio on January 8, 2018. In mid-2018, Combs re-released This One's for You with several bonus tracks, two of which ("She Got the Best of Me" and "Beautiful Crazy") were also issued as singles. "Beautiful Crazy" reached #1 on Country Airplay in February 2019, giving Combs five #1's on the Billboard country chart with his first five singles. The song reached #1 on three additional country charts – Hot Country Songs, Country Streaming Songs, and Country Digital Song Sales.
On June 11, 2019 he was invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
In August 2019, This One's for You spent its 44th week at #1 on Top Country Albums, setting the record for the longest reign at the top of that chart by a male artist.
His second album What You See Is What You Get was released on November 8, 2019. The album has charted the singles "Beer Never Broke My Heart", "Even Though I'm Leaving", and "Does to Me", a duet with Eric Church.
In May 2020, Combs released the studio single "Six Feet Apart". This single quickly became popular to listeners as it illustrated the challenges of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, Combs confirmed his next single would be Lovin' on You, which was released on both his second album and the EP The Prequel, which predated the album.
Combs announced a deluxe version of What You See Is What You Get, titled What You See Ain't Always What You Get, with five new songs; it was released on October 23, 2020. The track "Forever After All" set streaming records in country music on Apple Music and Spotify.
Even Though I'm Leaving
Luke Combs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep me safe 'cause there's monsters right outside
Daddy, please don't go, I don't wanna be alone
'Cause the second that you're gone they're gonna know
Before he went to bed he grabbed my hand and said
Just 'cause I'm leavin'
It don't mean that I won't be right by your sideWhen you need me
And you can't see me in the middle of the night
Just close your eyes and say a prayer
It's okay, I know you're scared when I'm not here
But I'll always be right there
Even though I'm leavin', I ain't goin' nowhere
Dad, we'll be late, and Uncle Sam don't like to wait
He's got a big old plane that's gonna take me far away
I know I act tough, but there's a churnin' in my gut
'Cause I just can't call you up when things get rough
Before I left, he hugged my neck and said
Just 'cause you're leavin'
It don't mean that I won't be right by your side
When you need me
And you can't see me in the middle of the night
Just close your eyes and say a prayer
It's okay, I know you're scared, I might be here
But I'll always be right there
Even though you're leavin', I ain't goin' nowhere
Daddy, I'm afraid, won't you stay a little while?
I never thought I'd see the day I had to say goodbye
Daddy, please don't go, I can't do this on my own
There's no way that I can walk this road alone
Just 'cause I'm leavin'
It don't mean that I won't be right by your side
When you need me
And you can't see me in the middle of the night
Just close your eyes and say a prayer
It's okay, boy, I ain't scared
I won't be here, but I'll always be right there
Even though I'm leavin', I ain't goin' nowhere
I ain't goin' nowhere
The song "Even Though I'm Leaving" by Luke Combs tells the story of a father and son relationship as the son grows up and eventually leaves home. The lyrics in each verse show the son's growing maturity and his ability to handle increasingly difficult situations, but at the same time, the son expresses his fear of being alone without his father's guidance and protection. The chorus, with its reassuring message that the father will always be there for his son, even when he's physically gone, serves as a reminder to listeners that the love of a parent has the power to transcend time and space.
The first verse begins with the son expressing his fear of monsters outside his window and asking his father to stay with him. The father responds with a message of comfort and support, telling his son that he'll always be there for him, even if he's not physically present. The second verse shows the son growing up and preparing to leave home, with his father reminding him that he'll always be there to support him, no matter where he goes. The final verse shows the son as an adult facing the prospect of his father's death, and again the father reassures his son that he will always be with him.
The song's emotional resonance comes from its portrayal of the parent-child relationship as one of unconditional love and support. Like many country songs, "Even Though I'm Leaving" taps into universal themes of family, love, and loss, and shows how these relationships have the power to shape our lives in profound and meaningful ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy, I'm afraid, won't you stay a little while?
The child is afraid of being alone and wants their father to stay for comfort.
Keep me safe 'cause there's monsters right outside
The child is scared of imaginary monsters and is seeking comfort and safety from their father.
Daddy, please don't go, I don't wanna be alone
The child clearly expresses that he could not bear losing his father since he will be alone and unprotected.
'Cause the second that you're gone they're gonna know
The child fears that something bad will happen as soon as their father leaves, hence he does not want him to go.
Just 'cause I'm leavin',
The father wants to reassure his child that he will always be there for him in spirit.
It don't mean that I won't be right by your side
The father tries to encourage his child by telling him that even though he is leaving, he will always be with him in spirit.
When you need me
The father wants his child to know that he will be there anytime he needs him.
And you can't see me in the middle of the night
The father wants his child to feel safe and not scared, even when he is not physically present beside him.
Just close your eyes and say a prayer
The father wants his child to believe in the power of prayer and to know that he is always beside him.
It's okay, I know you're scared when I'm not here
The father understands that his child is scared when he is not physically present and wants him to know that it is okay to feel that way.
But I'll always be right there
The father wants to reassure his child that he will never be alone, even when he is not physically present.
Even though I'm leavin', I ain't goin' nowhere
The father wants his child to know that even though he is leaving, he is not truly gone since he will always be there for him.
Dad, we'll be late, and Uncle Sam don't like to wait
The child is asking permission from his father to go while expressing certainty of the consequences that may occur if he does not go on time.
He's got a big old plane that's gonna take me far away
The child is going on a big plane, and the father tries to console him before he goes.
I know I act tough, but there's a churnin' in my gut
The child is putting on a brave face when, in reality, he is scared and worried.
'Cause I just can't call you up when things get rough
The child is afraid of not being able to call his father when he needs him, since he will be far away and busy.
Just 'cause you're leavin'
The child is asking his father to reassure him one final time before he leaves.
It don't mean that I won't be right by your side
The father reminds his child again that he will always be with him in spirit, even when he is not physically present.
It's okay, I know you're scared, I might be here
The father understands that his child is scared and wants to reassure him that he will be there for him if he needs him.
But I'll always be right there
The father wants to remind his child that he will always be there for him, no matter where he is or what he is doing.
Even though you're leavin', I ain't goin' nowhere
The child wants his father to know that he will always be with him in spirit, even when he is physically far away.
Daddy, I'm afraid, won't you stay a little while?
The child is asking his father to stay a little longer before he leaves, as he does not want him to go just yet.
I never thought I'd see the day I had to say goodbye
The child is emotional and is finding it difficult to say goodbye to his father, whom he loves very much.
Daddy, please don't go, I can't do this on my own
The child feels helpless without his father and is scared of being alone.
There's no way that I can walk this road alone
The child needs his father's help and guidance to navigate the difficulties of life.
It don't mean that I won't be right by your side
The father wants his child to know that he will always be with him in spirit, even though he may not be physically present.
It's okay, boy, I ain't scared
The father is reassuring his child that he is not afraid to leave him, as he will always be with him in spirit.
I won't be here, but I'll always be right there
The father wants his child to know that even though he is leaving, he will always be there for him in spirit and in his heart.
Even though I'm leavin', I ain't goin' nowhere
The father wants his child to know that even though he is physically leaving, he will always be there for him in spirit and love.
I ain't goin' nowhere
The father wants his child to know that he will always be there for him, no matter what happens, whether he is physically present or not.
Lyrics © BLACKSTONE ENTERTAINMENT, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Peermusic Publishing, ENDURANCE MUSIC GROUP
Written by: Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Wyatt Durrette
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Sgtspatula15
I served in the army for 10 1/2 years and have 3 combat deployments under my belt. 6 months after getting out I lost my 9 year old son. It's been 6 years since then and this song hits home. When I hear it I can't stop crying. He was the best of me and the man of the house when I was gone. I will always love you kiddo
@christinavaughn6273
I can’t imagine. Big hugs.
@andymendoza6321
wow i’m so sorry to hear that. thank you for your service
@elizabethcollard3874
Sorry for your families loss I lost my son too this hits home for me to meet them on the other side 🙂
@Keeekstarr
Thank you for your service, God bless you man
@lukehanley212
Ahh brother this hit me hard I genuinely can't imagine what you have and are going threw my babies are my world keep that chin up buddy things will get easier 💚💚
@johnbarragan5388
Lost my dad last night at 9:40PM it wasn’t an easy thing to see. He lived a good life. This song brings comfort. Thank you Luke for making such a great song.
@lesterstrimel4703
❤
@MaryAnnPaloma-l6h
condolence sir
@urbanelfstrom15
❤