Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Red Jenkins Lyrics
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Now you're putting on the style,
And you never once looked back,
To your home across the track,
You're the gossip of the town,
But my heart can still be found,
Where you tossed it on the ground,
Pick me up on your way down,
When you're blue and all alone,
When their glamour starts to bore you,
Come on back where you belong,
When you learn these things are true,
I'll be waiting here for you,
When you tumble to the ground
Pick me up on your way down,
They have changed your attitude,
Made you hoggie, and so rude,
Your new friends can take the blame,
Underneath you're still the same,
You may be their pride and joy,
But they'll find another toy,
When your true love can't be found
Pick me up on your way down,
Pick me up on your way down,
When you're blue and all alone,
When their glamour starts to bore you,
Come on back where you belong,
When you learn these things are true,
I'll be waiting here for you,
When you tumble to the ground
Pick me up on your way down...
In Red Jenkins's song "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down," the singer is addressing a former lover who has moved on to a more glamorous life, leaving him behind. The title is a plea to be picked up by the lover if and when their new life falls apart and they realize the value of their old life and love. The lyrics highlight the singer's sadness and sense of abandonment, but also his unwavering love and his belief that the lover will eventually come back to him.
The first stanza sets up the situation by noting that the lover was only with the singer for a short time before leaving for a more attractive life. The second stanza further emphasizes the divide between the singer and the lover by noting that the lover has become the "gossip of the town" and has changed her attitude. Despite this shift, the singer still loves the lover and hopes that she will come back to him someday.
The chorus repeats the request to "pick me up on your way down" and describes the singer's continued devotion, even as the lover moves on. The final stanza reinforces the singer's belief that the lover will eventually tire of her new friends and lifestyle and come back to him.
Overall, the song speaks to the universality of heartbreak and the hope that lost love can be regained. The singer is vulnerable and open about his feelings, but also resilient and confident in his love.
Line by Line Meaning
You were mine for just awhile,
We had a relationship that only lasted a short time.
Now you're putting on the style,
You're trying to impress others with your new look and behavior.
And you never once looked back,
You didn't care about leaving me behind.
To your home across the track,
You went back to your old neighborhood.
You're the gossip of the town,
Everyone is talking about your new lifestyle.
But my heart can still be found,
I still have feelings for you.
Where you tossed it on the ground,
You broke my heart and left me feeling hurt.
Pick me up on your way down,
If things don't work out for you, I'm willing to take you back.
When you're blue and all alone,
When you're feeling sad and lonely.
When their glamour starts to bore you,
When you realize that all the glitz and glamour is not what you really want.
Come on back where you belong,
Come back to me, where you truly belonged all along.
When you learn these things are true,
When you realize that what I'm saying is true.
I'll be waiting here for you,
I'll be here, ready to take you back.
When you tumble to the ground
When things fall apart for you.
They have changed your attitude,
Your new friends have influenced the way you think and act.
Made you hoggie, and so rude,
They've made you selfish and impolite.
Your new friends can take the blame,
Your friends are responsible for the negative changes in you.
Underneath you're still the same,
Despite the changes, I believe you're still the same person I fell in love with.
You may be their pride and joy,
You might be popular and well-liked by your friends.
But they'll find another toy,
Your friends will move on to the next new and exciting thing.
Writer(s): Harlan Howard
Contributed by Mateo J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.