Lyle Lovett is an americana singer-songwriter and actor from Klein, Texas, … Read Full Bio ↴Lyle Lovett is an americana singer-songwriter and actor from Klein, Texas, who has been described as "the thinking man's cowboy". While typically associated with the alt-country genre, his albums typically incorporate folk, swing, blues, jazz and gospel music as well as more traditional country & western styles. The Night's Lullaby Songfacts reports that after twenty-six years with Curb, Lyle Lovett released his eleventh and last album for the record label, Release Me, on February 28, 2012. The record is mainly made up of covers that Lovett has played, but never got round to recording.

The four-time Grammy winner has acted in a number of films and been a guest-star on television. Lovett was married to actress Julia Roberts for a short time in the mid-1990s. In 2002, he was gored by a bull while working on his uncle's farm in Texas, but soon recovered and resumed touring.

Flyswatter / Ice Water Blues
Lyle Lovett Lyrics

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Honey put down that flyswatter
And pour me some ice water
And would you bring me my hammer
And could you find me some nails
For soon I'll be going
To work for this living
And with you here to guide me
Then I cannot fail

The morning it stumbles
Right in through the window
And this getting up early
Gets old anyway
And if you listen close dear
The crying that you hear
Is the nighttime lamenting
The start of the day

And it's hotter than concrete
In July in Houston
And it'll get worse here
Before it turns nice
But old Tink's in the backyard
And I swear that boy's so smart
He's got everything ready
So we'll be all right

So honey put down that flyswatter
And pour me some ice water
And though I'll soon be going
Well I haven't gone yet
So come stand here beside me
And hold my hand gently

And tell me do you remember
The first time we met

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Lyle Lovett's song Flyswatter / Ice Water Blues paint a picture of a man requesting his partner to lay down their flyswatter and pour him some ice water before he heads out for work. He asks her to bring him a hammer and some nails, indicating that he is a handyman or a construction worker. The singer believes that with his partner's guidance, he cannot fail at his job.

The following verse captures the singer's tiredness and frustration with waking up early every day, while the outside world awakens with a mournful cry. The song acknowledges the difficulties of living in hot weather, and the lyrics mention July in Houston, which is famous for its sweltering heat. However, the singer seems to take comfort, knowing that his friend Tink has already prepared everything they need, so they will be alright.

The last few lines of the song switch to a softer, more sentimental tone. The singer asks his partner to stand by him and gently hold his hand. He asks if she remembers the first time they met, suggesting the fondness he has for their relationship. The song's lyrics are a blend of the working man's dilemma of providing for his family and an appreciation of love and relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Honey put down that flyswatter
Stop swatting flies and do something for me

And pour me some ice water
Get me some cold water to drink

And would you bring me my hammer
Please get my hammer for me

And could you find me some nails
I need nails too

For soon I'll be going
I will leave soon to work

To work for this living
I need to work to make a living

And with you here to guide me
I cannot fail with your support

Then I cannot fail
I am confident I won't fail

The morning it stumbles
The morning comes slowly

Right in through the window
The morning light enters the room

And this getting up early
Waking up early everyday

Gets old anyway
It becomes boring over time

And if you listen close dear
If you pay attention, my dear

The crying that you hear
The sound you hear like crying

Is the nighttime lamenting
Nighttime is mourning the arrival of day

The start of the day
The beginning of a new day

And it's hotter than concrete
It's hot like concrete pavement

In July in Houston
Especially in the hot month of July in Houston

And it'll get worse here
It will get even hotter here

Before it turns nice
Before it cools down

But old Tink's in the backyard
But Tink is outside in the backyard

And I swear that boy's so smart
And I believe that boy is very clever

He's got everything ready
He has prepared everything

So we'll be all right
So we will be okay

And though I'll soon be going
Even though I will leave soon

Well I haven't gone yet
But I haven't left yet

So come stand here beside me
Come next to me and stand here

And hold my hand gently
Hold my hand softly

And tell me do you remember
And ask me if you remember

The first time we met
The initial time we saw each other

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LYLE PEARCE LOVETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Elidoransgar

10y↑15

Lyle is so underrated, and this song is an unappreciated gem.

KVRB

8y↑8

If you live in Houston you know about being hot as concrete in July. Oppressive. Debilitating. Strength-sapping heat. It's a line that truly encapsulates a feeling of miasma.
Brilliant lyricist and songwriter.