Wild Side
Nelson Lyrics


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Well, you wouldn't read my letters if I wrote you
You asked me not to call you on the phone
There's something I've been waiting for to tell you
So I wrote it in the words of this song

You never knew there were honky tonk angels
Or you might have known I'd never make a wife
You walked out on the only one who ever loved you
So I went back to the wild side of life

Now the glamor of the good life always lead me
To the places where the wild liquor flows
I tried to be your one and only angel
But I'm not that kind of angel, heaven knows

I cried so hard the day you went and left me
'Cause some things you said, they cut me like a knife
What you wanted was another kind of angel
And you should be back to the wild side of life

No, well, I guess I'm just a honky tonk angel
I might have known I'd never make a wife
Well, you left the only one who ever loved you
And I'm back here on the wild side of life

I'm only a honky tonk angel
I might have known I'd never make a wife




You walked out on the only one who ever loved you
And you left me here on the wild side of life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Wild Side" by Nelson tell the story of a woman who leaves her lover, despite his desperate attempts to keep her. He has tried to be a better man for her, even forsaking his wild ways, but she still leaves him for someone else. The singer is heartbroken and laments the fact that she did not appreciate his efforts to make their relationship work. He realizes that he will always be the honky tonk angel, the rough-and-tumble kind of man that is not suitable for a wife, and that she will never understand. He mournfully resigns himself to a life on the wild side and accepts that he will never find love.


The song is a classic example of the country genre, with its melancholic lyrics, use of storytelling, and twangy guitar solos. It's a tale of heartbreak, longing, and the human tendency to be drawn towards the things that ultimately destroy us. The use of the "honky tonk angel" motif adds a layer of complexity to the song, as it suggests that the singer is not entirely without redeeming qualities, but simply cannot escape his rough-and-tumble nature.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, you wouldn't read my letters if I wrote you
I understand that you don't want me to communicate with you, even through writing.


You asked me not to call you on the phone
You made it clear that you don't want me to contact you through phone calls either.


There's something I've been waiting for to tell you
There's something important that I need to share with you.


So I wrote it in the words of this song
I decided to express my thoughts and feelings through this song.


You never knew there were honky tonk angels
You didn't realize that there are women like me who enjoy spending time in bars and clubs.


Or you might have known I'd never make a wife
If you understood this aspect of my personality, you would have realized that I'm not the type of person to settle down and get married.


You walked out on the only one who ever loved you
I was the only person who truly loved you, and you left me behind.


So I went back to the wild side of life
I returned to my old ways of living life freely and without any commitment.


Now the glamor of the good life always lead me
The excitement of living the high life often pulls me towards places where alcohol and parties are prevalent.


To the places where the wild liquor flows
I find myself drawn to bars and other establishments where alcohol is consumed liberally.


I tried to be your one and only angel
I attempted to fill the role of your perfect partner, but I realized that I'm not capable of being what you wanted.


But I'm not that kind of angel, heaven knows
Despite my attempts to be what you desired, my true nature as a free spirit cannot be suppressed.


I cried so hard the day you went and left me
Your departure hit me hard, and I cried a lot because of it.


'Cause some things you said, they cut me like a knife
Your words hurt me deeply and left me feeling wounded.


What you wanted was another kind of angel
Your ideal partner was someone who was different from who I am.


And you should be back to the wild side of life
You should return to your old habits and embrace the thrill of living without restrictions.


No, well, I guess I'm just a honky tonk angel
I realize now that I'm just a woman who loves to spend time in bars and clubs.


I might have known I'd never make a wife
I should have known all along that I wasn't cut out for a traditional married life.


Well, you left the only one who ever loved you
You abandoned the person who truly cared about you the most.


And I'm back here on the wild side of life
I have returned to my old ways of living life without any restraints or limitations.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Buddy Guy

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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