Wherever I Lay My Hat
Paul Young Lyrics


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By the look in your eye I can tell you're gonna cry
Is it over me?
If it is, save your tears
For I'm not worth it, you see

For I'm the type of boy who is always on the roam
Wherever I lay my hat that's my home
I'm telling you that's my home
You had romance, did you break it by chance

Over me?
If it's so I'd like for you to know
That I'm not worth it, you see
For I'm the type of boy who is always on the roam, mm

Wherever I lay my hat that's my home
Mm, that's my home
Oh, you keep telling me, you keep telling me I'm your man
What do I have to do to make you understand?

For I'm the type of guy who gives girl the eye
Everybody knows.
But I love them and I leave them
Break their hearts and deceive them everywhere I go

Don't you know that I'm the type of man who is always on the roam
Wherever I lay my hat that's my home
Wherever I lay my hat, oh oh, that's my home, mm yeh
That's my home

And I like it that way
You know I can't make it all alone sometimes that's the way, that's the way
I'm not saying




I'm not saying I don't love you
Just got to do what I want to do

Overall Meaning

The song "Wherever I Lay My Hat" by Paul Young is a powerful ballad about a man who is constantly restless and cannot stay in one place or commit to one person. He tells his lover that he knows she is upset and crying over him, but he is not worth her tears because he is always on-the-go and cannot stay put in one place. The singer is a young man who is eager to explore the world and cannot settle down in one place or with one person. He is telling his lover that he is not the type of man who is going to stick around, but he still loves her in his own way.


The line "wherever I lay my hat that's my home" is repeated throughout the song and serves as its chorus. It's a powerful image, reinforcing the idea that the singer is constantly on the move, and that he can make any place his home simply by being there. The song's final verse is about the singer's commitment to himself, rather than anyone else. He knows that he cannot stay with one person or in one place, and he's content to live his life on his own terms.


Overall, the song's lyrics are about freedom and the restlessness that comes with it. It's a poignant and introspective ballad that underscores the challenges of trying to find one's place in the world.


Line by Line Meaning

By the look in your eye I can tell you're gonna cry
I can see that you will shed tears by the way you're looking


Is it over me?
Are you crying because we are done?


If it is, save your tears
If that's the case, keep your tears for yourself


For I'm not worth it, you see
Because I am not deserving of your tears


For I'm the type of boy who is always on the roam
I am the kind of guy who is constantly on the move


Wherever I lay my hat that's my home
Wherever I go, that's where I consider home


You had romance, did you break it by chance
Did we end our love affair by bad luck?


If it's so I'd like for you to know
If that is the case, I want you to understand


That I'm not worth it, you see
That I do not deserve your time and effort


Oh, you keep telling me, you keep telling me I'm your man
You always say that I am the one for you


What do I have to do to make you understand?
What should I do to make you comprehend my intentions?


For I'm the type of guy who gives girl the eye
Because I am the kind of man who flirts with women


But I love them and I leave them
However, I merely adore, then move on from them


Break their hearts and deceive them everywhere I go
I break their hearts and betray them wherever I am


And I like it that way
And I enjoy doing that


You know I can't make it all alone sometimes that's the way, that's the way
I cannot survive by myself at all times, that is simply how it is


I'm not saying
I am not implying


I'm not saying I don't love you
I am not stating that I do not have feelings for you


Just got to do what I want to do
I just have to do what I feel like doing




Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barrett Strong, Marvin Gaye, Marvin P Gaye, Norman Whitfield, Norman J. Whitfield

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@OldhamSteve52

Takes me back to the 80โ€™s when I thought Iโ€™d never find love. Iโ€™m 64 now, found myself a lovely wife, grandfather. Life turned out ok.

@iamshango3005

Newhamsteve

@georgie8154

Wow, that really gave me hope. I hope you have an amazing rest of your life!

@buttyscott1

Bless u

@OldhamSteve52

Thanks. Same to you.

@OldhamSteve52

Cheers.

27 More Replies...

@slconstable

Between Pinoโ€™s incredible bass playing and Paulโ€™s amazing soul voice, thatโ€™s what makes me listen to this track to this day.

@chrishayworth282

Pino is an amazing bassist. I must admit I've been on a bit of a pino trip today.

@RodrigoPavao1705

I find this song because of Pino Palladino. Amazing fretless basslines.

@josepe316

Was Pino involved in the Commodores 'nightshift' because this song sounds super similar musically

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