She released her self-titled debut in 1987, and released "Mountain Soul II" on September 29, 2009.
Following throat surgery to repair her vocal chords, she released the album Only What I Feel in 1993 to the best reviews of her career and won multiple awards.
Patty Loveless has been one of the most popular country singers. According to her website, as of 2019 she has had 21 album releases, including 4 that went platinum and 3 that went gold, and nine #1 hits.
Tear-Stained Letter
Patty Loveless Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Track 1 - Time 3:28)
It was three in the morning when he took me apart
He wrecked my house and he wrecked my heart
He danced on my head like Arthur Murray
The scars ain't never going to mend in a hurry
Just when I thought that things would get better
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Well, my head was spinning just a little to fast
It was writing checks that my body couldn't cash
I jumped to my feet, I was reelin' and a-dizzy
I went for the phone but the line was busy
Just when I thought that things would get better
Right through the door came a tear-stainted letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Now, I like coffee and I like tea
But I just don't like this feeling in me
It makes me nervous, it gives me the hives
Looking for the truth in a pack of lies
Just when I thought that things would get better
Right through the door came a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
The opening verse of Patty Loveless's "Tear-Stained Letter" sets the stage for a raw account of heartbreak, one that is painful to listen to but also impossible to turn away from. The singer, presumably a woman, is in agony over someone who has shattered her life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the emotional devastation she's experiencing, using images of wreckage and violence to drive the point home. The line "He wrecked my house and he wrecked my heart" is especially potent, as it suggests that the damage this person has done goes beyond mere emotional pain. Loveless's delivery is appropriately tortured, her voice heavy with pain as she sings of dancing on her head and scars that won't heal.
Despite the visceral agony that the singer is experiencing, there is also a sense of resilience that runs through the lyrics. The repeated refrain of "cry and cry if it makes you feel better/set it all down in a tear-stained letter" is both cathartic and empowering, encouraging the listener to embrace their emotions and find a way to express them, even if it hurts. The song's protagonist is clearly dealing with something difficult and traumatic, but rather than dwelling in her pain, she is taking steps to heal and move forward.
The chorus of "Tear-Stained Letter" is simple yet powerful, with just a few chords strummed out on an acoustic guitar. That simplicity has help the song endure and make it a favorite cover among various musical legends. In Patty Loveless's hands, the track is both heartbreaking and exhilarating, a testament to the power of great songwriting and emotional honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
It was three in the morning when he took me apart
He emotionally destroyed me in the middle of the night
He wrecked my house and he wrecked my heart
He caused both physical and emotional damage to me
He danced on my head like Arthur Murray
He pushed my limits and emotions to their breaking point
The scars ain't never going to mend in a hurry
The emotional wounds will take a long time to heal, if ever
Just when I thought that things would get better
After everything, there was still hope for a positive outcome
Right through the door came a tear-stained letter
But a letter arrived, causing more pain and sadness
Well, my head was spinning just a little too fast
My thoughts were muddled and chaotic
It was writing checks that my body couldn't cash
I was pushing myself beyond my limits physically and emotionally
I jumped to my feet, I was reelin' and a-dizzy
I was physically and emotionally thrown off balance
I went for the phone but the line was busy
My attempts to reach out for help were thwarted
Now, I like coffee and I like tea
I enjoy simple pleasures in life
But I just don't like this feeling in me
But my current emotional pain is overwhelming
It makes me nervous, it gives me the hives
The anxiety is physically manifesting in me
Looking for the truth in a pack of lies
I am searching for honesty amidst deceit and confusion
Whoa, oh, oh Lord, Lord
Expressing a plea for help or guidance from a higher power
Cry and cry if it makes you feel better
Tears can be cathartic and help release pent-up emotions
Set it all down in a tear-stained letter
Writing out one's emotions can be therapeutic
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind