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.
Who Loves You Better
Lyle Lovett Lyrics
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Stale lives left by someone else
White lies I wish I could tell you
And questions I ask of myself
Why do I do the things that make me sorry
Why do I do the things that make you cry
Will I lose your love to another
The angels smile when you're praying
But the devil laughs when you lie
And some things they go without saying
When tears fill up your eyes
Why do I do the things that make me sorry
Why do I do the things that make you cry
Will I lose your love to another
Who loves you better than I
Some questions beg for an answer
Like a poet begs for a rhyme
Somehow all I can remember
Is holding your hand in mine
Late nights in musty motel rooms
Stale lives left all alone
He's telling you how he wants you
And I'm praying he doesn't know
Why I do the things that make me sorry
Why I do the things that make you cry
If I could lose your love to another
Who loves you better than I
Who loves you better than I
The lyrics to Lyle Lovett's song Who Loves You Better depict the internal turmoil and self-doubt of a man who is struggling with his mistakes and fears losing the love of his significant other. The song begins with the imagery of late nights in musty motel rooms, which signifies the emptiness and loneliness of the singer's life. He has inherited stale lives left by someone else, which means that he is living a life that he did not plan or envision for himself.
The first verse also includes the white lies that the singer wishes he could tell his partner, which suggests that he is not completely honest with her. However, he also has questions that he asks himself, which shows that he is introspective and trying to understand his motivations and behaviors. The chorus contains the primary questions that the singer is grappling with: "Why do I do the things that make me sorry? Why do I do the things that make you cry? Will I lose your love to another who loves you better than I?"
The chorus highlights the fear and anxiety of losing his partner to someone else who can love her better than he can. This fear is also tied to the singer's self-doubt, as he questions why he does things that hurt her and whether he is good enough for her. The second verse includes religious imagery, with the angels smiling when his partner is praying, and the devil laughing when she lies. This verse symbolizes the dichotomy between good and evil and how the singer's actions might be seen as both by his partner. The song ends with the singer reminiscing about holding his partner's hand and hoping that she will not leave him for someone else.
Overall, the lyrics to Who Loves You Better explore the themes of self-doubt, fear, and the struggle to maintain love and honesty in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Late nights in musty motel rooms
I spend my nights in run-down hotels, feeling lonely and disconnected.
Stale lives left by someone else
My life is filled with boredom and monotony, the remnants of someone else's past.
White lies I wish I could tell you
I'm filled with dishonesty and regret, wishing I could hide my true feelings from you.
And questions I ask of myself
I'm constantly questioning my own motives and decisions, unsure of what path to take.
Why do I do the things that make me sorry
I know my actions will lead to regret and pain, yet I can't help but continue making the same mistakes.
Why do I do the things that make you cry
I hurt you with my actions, even though I don't want to.
Will I lose your love to another
I fear that someone else will come along who can love you better than I do.
Who loves you better than I
Is there someone else out there who can love you more than I can?
The angels smile when you're praying
You may receive blessings when you pray to God.
But the devil laughs when you lie
You may be tempted to lie, but it will only bring you pain and sorrow.
And some things they go without saying
There are some things that are better left unsaid.
When tears fill up your eyes
When you cry, it breaks my heart and I don't know how to comfort you.
Some questions beg for an answer
Some things are so confusing that they demand an explanation.
Like a poet begs for a rhyme
Like a poet, I search for meaning and significance in my life.
Somehow all I can remember
Despite my confusion, I still hold onto the memory of you.
Is holding your hand in mine
The simple touch of your hand has the power to soothe me and bring me peace.
He's telling you how he wants you
There may be other men who desire you, and it makes me feel nervous and insecure.
And I'm praying he doesn't know
I'm praying that this other man doesn't realize how much I care about you, and that he won't try to take you away from me.
If I could lose your love to another
I'm terrified of losing your love to someone else, someone who can love you better than I can.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LYLE LOVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind