By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Peggy Lee Lyrics


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By the time I get to Phoenix she'll be rising.
She'll find the note I left hanging on her door.
She'll laugh when she reads the part that says I'm leaving
Cause I've left that girl so many times before.
By the time I make Albuquerque she'll be working.
She'll probably stop for lunch and give me a call.
But she'll just hear the phone keep on ringing, on the wall, that's all.
By the time I reach Oklahoma she'll be sleeping.
She'll turn softly and call my name out low.
And she'll cry just to think I'd really leave her,





Though time and time again I tried to tell her so.
She just didn't know I would really go.

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, the songwriter vividly paints a picture of a man on a journey away from his lover, symbolizing the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The imagery of the rising sun in Phoenix suggests a new beginning, a fresh start for both parties. However, the note he leaves on her door reveals a sense of detachment and emotional distance, as he nonchalantly mentions his departure as something routine, something that has happened many times before. This repetition hints at a cycle of coming and going in their relationship, highlighting a lack of permanence or commitment.


As the man continues his journey to Albuquerque, the lyrics suggest that despite his physical absence, he anticipates communication with his lover. The mention of her stopping for lunch and giving him a call portrays a sense of familiarity and expectation, but the reality is a ringing phone that goes unanswered - a poignant metaphor for the faltering connection between them. The phone call that doesn't happen serves as a stark reminder of the growing distance between the two characters, emphasizing their inability to truly connect and communicate.


The scene shifts to Oklahoma, where the woman is depicted as sleeping and dreaming of the man who is leaving her. The soft turning and calling of his name create a sense of intimacy and longing, suggesting a deep emotional bond that exists despite their turbulent history. The woman's tears upon realizing his departure reflect her deep emotional investment in the relationship, and the man's inner conflict is revealed as he grapples with the consequences of his actions. Despite his attempts to convey his intentions in the past, the woman's shock and sadness expose the underlying miscommunication and emotional disconnect that have plagued their relationship.


The closing lines of the song convey a sense of regret and resignation as the man reflects on the woman's unsuspecting nature and his own ultimate decision to leave. The repeated assertion that "she just didn't know I would really go" underscores the theme of unspoken truths and unfulfilled expectations within their relationship. The bittersweet tone of the lyrics captures the complexities of love and loss, highlighting the inevitability of change and the difficult choices that shape the course of our lives. As time goes by, the characters in the song are left to grapple with the consequences of their actions and the emotional aftermath of their failed relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

By the time I get to Phoenix she'll be rising.
By the time I reach my destination, she will be starting her day.


She'll find the note I left hanging on her door.
She will discover the message I left for her.


She'll laugh when she reads the part that says I'm leaving
She will chuckle upon reading about my departure.


Cause I've left that girl so many times before.
Since I have departed from her before.


By the time I make Albuquerque she'll be working.
When I arrive at the next city, she will likely be busy with work.


She'll probably stop for lunch and give me a call.
She might take a break and try to reach me over the phone.


But she'll just hear the phone keep on ringing, on the wall, that's all.
However, all she will hear is the continuous ringing of the unanswered phone.


By the time I reach Oklahoma she'll be sleeping.
Upon my arrival in Oklahoma, she will be asleep.


She'll turn softly and call my name out low.
She will whisper my name gently.


And she'll cry just to think I'd really leave her,
She will shed tears at the thought of my departure.


Though time and time again I tried to tell her so.
Despite numerous attempts to warn her in advance.


She just didn't know I would really go.
She simply did not believe I would truly leave.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Webb

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous


on Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too)

Why Don't You Do Right - Casey Abrams - Lyrics
You had plenty money 1922
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?

Get out of here and get me some money too?
You're sitting there wondering what it's all about
You ain't got no money, they will throw you out
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?

Musical Interlude

You had plenty money 1922
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?

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