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.
If I Were The Man You Wanted
Lyle Lovett Lyrics
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They were all laughing and all telling lies
Then the tall one he bumped in a dollar
He said boys I've got nothing to hide
Now if the King and the Queen stood together
Then the ace he would not be to blame
And if the cards were all laid on the table
Then love could be more than a game
And if the stars didn't shine on the water
Then the sun wouldn't burn on the sand
And if I were the man you wanted
I would not be the man that I am
And I have seen my share of long nights
And I have told my share of lies
And I have run into the darkness
When I saw the look in your eyes
But if the night didn't lie in the darkness
Then the daylight would be hard to find
And if the truth didn't turn to a weakness
I would have never have spoken my mind
And if the stars didn't shine on the water
Then the sun wouldn't burn on the sand
And if I were the man you wanted
Then I would not be the man that I am
So if you're going out to Carolina
Then don't linger in New Mexico
And if you think of the one there behind you
Then you might not feel so alone
And if the stars didn't shine on the water
Then the sun wouldn't burn on the sand
And if I were the man you wanted
I would not be the man that I am
Lyle Lovett’s song If I Were The Man You Wanted is a reflection of the singer’s internal conflict, as he contemplates becoming the man that his loved one desires but would lose his true identity in the process. The opening stanza describes a scene where people are gathered in a circle, all sharing stories while the tall one’s offer of honesty incites them to reveal themselves, and the singer reflects on how truthfulness can lead to more significant connections. The first few lines also establish a metaphorical structure for the song using cards, namely the king, queen, and ace, to represent love, truth, and identity, while the table represents the openness and transparency required for love to flourish.
The second stanza delves into the singer's own struggles with his identity that have led him to his present state, including his tendency to lie and flee. He acknowledges that the night, a metaphor for darkness and secrecy, is necessary for the day or truth to hold meaning. The final stanza is an advice to his loved one on how to move on from their current separation, expressing regret that he is not the man they want, but acknowledging that it's impossible to have everything one wants, and one must make choices that will eventually lead to happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
They all sat around in a circle
A group of people were gathered together
They were all laughing and all telling lies
The group was jovial and not being truthful with each other
Then the tall one he bumped in a dollar
One member of the group made a small mistake
He said boys I've got nothing to hide
He claimed to be transparent
Now if the King and the Queen stood together
Signifies a scenario where the best comes together
Then the ace he would not be to blame
Others would not be blamed for the ace's actions
And if the cards were all laid on the table
If everyone were truthful and honest
Then love could be more than a game
A possibility of true love if everyone were honest
And if the stars didn't shine on the water
If everything wasn't perfect
Then the sun wouldn't burn on the sand
Then other things would not exist either
And if I were the man you wanted
If I were the person you wished me to be
I would not be the man that I am
I am not who you want me to be
And I have seen my share of long nights
I have experienced hardship
And I have told my share of lies
I have been dishonest in my life
And I have run into the darkness
I have tried to escape from things in my life
When I saw the look in your eyes
When I saw how you felt
But if the night didn't lie in the darkness
If everything were clear and visible
Then the daylight would be hard to find
There would not be a time to rest
And if the truth didn't turn to a weakness
If the truth did not make someone appear weak
I would have never have spoken my mind
I wouldn't have said anything
So if you're going out to Carolina
If you are moving away to Carolina
Then don't linger in New Mexico
Don't stay in New Mexico for too long
And if you think of the one there behind you
If you think of the person you left behind
Then you might not feel so alone
Then you might not feel as isolated
Lyrics © Regard Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: LYLE PEARCE LOVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind