Lonely Holiday
Old 97's Lyrics


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It was a lonely holiday.
I was alone; you were away
In Fayetteville, or in another state.
There's so many towns I hate.
When you leave me,
Breaks me like a bone;
But it's never as bad
As when you come home.
I've thought so much about suicide,
Parts of me have already died.

Lonely?
Baby, I'm not lonely.
Baby, I'm not;
I've got my imaginary friends.
Happy?
Baby, I'm so happy.
Baby, I'm so -
I've got my imaginary friends.
And if you don't love me,
Would you please pretend?

It was a lonely holiday.
I was alone; I was afraid
The bedroom walls were closing in -
Must be closing time again.
When you leave me,
Breaks me like the note
That you said got stuck in your throat.
I've thought so much about suicide,
Parts of me have already died.

Lonely?
Baby, I'm not lonely.
Baby, I'm not;
I've got my imaginary friends.
Happy?
Baby, I'm so happy.
Baby, I'm so -
I've got my imaginary friends.
And if you don't love me,
Would you please pretend?
And if you don't love me,
Would you please pretend?





And if you don't love me,
Would you please pretend?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Old 97's's song Lonely Holiday depict the feelings of loneliness and desperation caused by a long-distance relationship. As the title suggests, the singer is spending a holiday alone, while their significant other is either in Fayetteville or another state. The first verse conveys the despair of being left behind, as the singer reveals that there are many towns they hate, presumably because they remind them of their loneliness. The second half of the verse describes the devastating impact of the partner's departure, comparing it to a bone-breaking experience. However, the anticipation of the partner's return is even worse, implying that the singer dreads the disappointment that usually follows such reunions.


The second verse emphasizes the same sentiments, describing the bedroom walls as closing in and hinting at the singer's fear of being left alone for too long. The mention of the note that got stuck in the partner's throat suggests that communication is a challenge in the relationship, adding to the singer's anxiety. Ultimately, the chorus reveals the singer's coping mechanism: imaginary friends. While the phrase may suggest a childish or delusional behavior, it is clear that the singer is using their imagination to fill the void left by the partner's absence. The last line is particularly poignant, as it is a plea for the partner to at least pretend to love them, highlighting the desperation that lingers throughout the song.


Line by Line Meaning

It was a lonely holiday.
I spent a holiday by myself and felt lonely.


I was alone; you were away
I was alone because you were not with me, probably travelling to another location.


In Fayetteville, or in another state.
You may have been in Fayetteville, but you could also have gone to another state.


There's so many towns I hate.
There are numerous towns that I do not like.


When you leave me,
When you are away from me,


Breaks me like a bone;
It hurts me deeply, like breaking a bone.


But it's never as bad
However, the experience is not as terrible as it becomes


As when you come home.
When you return home, it hurts more.


I've thought so much about suicide,
I have had dark and painful thoughts about ending my life.


Parts of me have already died.
I feel like parts of me have already given up on life.


Lonely?
Do I feel lonely?


Baby, I'm not lonely.
No, I am not lonely.


Baby, I'm not;
I already told you I am not lonely.


I've got my imaginary friends.
I have imaginary friends that keep me company.


Happy?
Do I feel happy?


Baby, I'm so happy.
Yes, I am so happy.


Baby, I'm so -
I am really happy.


I've got my imaginary friends.
My imaginary friends are making me happy.


And if you don't love me,
If you do not love me,


Would you please pretend?
Would you pretend to love me anyway, please?


The bedroom walls were closing in -
I felt trapped in my bedroom as if the walls were closing in around me.


Must be closing time again.
It seems like everything is closing, and it must be late.


Breaks me like the note
It hurts me as much as the note


That you said got stuck in your throat.
You said that you couldn't escape the feelings I had for you, like a note got stuck in your throat.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KENDALL DEWAYNE BETHEA, MURRAY HAMMOND, PHILIP WAYNE PEEPLES, STEWART RANSOM MILLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

kim wether

Best old 97s song ever!!!

CoralStellaLou

FINALLY!!! I have been looking for a GOOD VERSION OF THIS SONG for YEARS NOW!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

brian

My favorite song by old 97,s...entire lp is great.

ACBelsky

One of the saddest songs I ever heard. Little did I know I would be moving to Dallas Texas about 6 months after I heard it for the first time. 

Carl

That sucks.

bob apples

A great take on relationships on the decline

Madison Chatterton

My mom loves them.

brian

This was my favorite lp

Angelo M. De Ieso II

Classic suicidal holiday ditty

brian

I like that country crossover...reminds me a little of supersuckers I must of been high lp

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