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.
She's Leaving Me Because She Really Wants To
Lyle Lovett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sincerely appreciate the words you say
About how she'll cry
And how she'll grieve and miss me
When she goes away
Say them again
I need to hear the words once more
How she'll miss me when she's gone
And how she'll want to come back home
And never leave
But she's leaving me
Because she really wants to
And she'll be happy when she's gone
She'll be happy
She'll be so very happy
She'll dance and sing
Or even learn to fly
And spend her time with anyone but me
What's that you say
That I'll get over her the more that time goes by
But time goes so slow
When all I have to do is sit around and cry
No she won't be back
I'd be a fool to try to fool myself that way
I know she hasn't one regret
Because she hasn't had one since
The day she came to stay
She's leaving me
Because she really wants to
And she'll be happy when she's gone
She'll be happy
She'll be so very happy
She'll dance and sing
And even learn to fly
And spend her time with anyone but me
She'll be happy when she's gone
She'll be happy when she's gone
She'll be happy when she's gone
She'll be happy when she's gone
The lyrics of Lyle Lovett's song She's Leaving Me Because She Really Wants To convey the sadness and heartbreak of someone losing their partner, who has decided to leave them because they truly want to. The song begins with the singer thanking a friend for trying to comfort him with platitudes about how his soon-to-be-ex will miss and grieve him, but he needs to hear it again because he can't believe it. He is holding onto the vain hope that she will change her mind and come back to him, but he knows deep down that she will not return. The chorus emphasizes that she will not only be happy but ecstatic when she's gone, and she'll spend her time dancing, singing, and flying with anyone but him.
The music video for this song features a cameo from Lovett's then-girlfriend, actress Julia Roberts, who plays the woman leaving him. The video also features cameos from actors Dwight Yoakam, Harry Dean Stanton, and Rick Moranis. The song was released in 1987 and was one of Lovett's breakout hits. The lyrics are straightforward and poignant, and Lovett's distinct voice and songwriting style make the song stand out. It is a prime example of Lovett's ability to write and perform songs that blend country, folk, and Americana.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you my friend
Gratitude expressed towards the listener
I sincerely appreciate the words you say
Acknowledgment of appreciation for the kind words spoken
About how she'll cry
Recognition of the expected reaction of the departing lover
And how she'll grieve and miss me
Note of the emotional state of the lover when gone
When she goes away
Reference to when the lover departs
Say them again
Request to hear the supportive words repeated
I need to hear the words once more
Indication of the desire to receive verbal comfort again
I can't believe
Expression of disbelief
How she'll miss me when she's gone
Recognition of the departing lover's longing for the artist
And how she'll want to come back home
Belief that the lover will yearn to return to the artist's home
And never leave
Hope that the lover will never leave again
But she's leaving me
Confirmation that the lover is indeed leaving
Because she really wants to
Reason for the departure, as the lover genuinely desires to leave
And she'll be happy when she's gone
She'll be happy
She'll be so very happy
She'll dance and sing
Or even learn to fly
Assumption that the lover will find joy and happiness after leaving, and can pursue any interests
And spend her time with anyone but me
Acknowledgment that the lover will not be spending time with the singer after leaving
What's that you say
Inquiry into what the listener is saying
That I'll get over her the more that time goes by
Suggestion that time will heal the pain of the separation
But time goes so slow
Recognition that time moves slowly and the pain will linger
When all I have to do is sit around and cry
Expression of the singer's grief, and how they feel trapped in it
No she won't be back
Belief that the lover will not return
I'd be a fool to try to fool myself that way
Realization that the artist would be foolish to believe otherwise
I know she hasn't one regret
Understanding that the lover has no regrets or doubts about leaving
Because she hasn't had one since
The day she came to stay
Explanation that the lover never had doubts since the beginning of the relationship
She'll be happy when she's gone
She'll be happy
She'll be so very happy
She'll dance and sing
And even learn to fly
And spend her time with anyone but me
Reiteration of the belief that the lover will find happiness and pursue interests away from the artist
She'll be happy when she's gone
She'll be happy when she's gone
She'll be happy when she's gone
She'll be happy when she's gone
Final emphasis on the belief that the lover's happiness will be found after leaving
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LYLE PEARCE LOVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind