Shelton released his debut album, Wild-Eyed Dream, in 1987, and his first-ever single, "Crime of Passion," hit the country Top Ten. Its follow-up, "Somebody Lied," went all the way to number one; so did the album, and so did another single, "Life Turned Her That Way." Shelton quickly recorded a follow-up album, Loving Proof, which appeared in 1988 and also topped the country charts; it spun off three number one hits in "I'll Leave This World Loving You," "From a Jack to a King," and "Living Proof," while "Hole in My Pocket" made the Top Five. While readying his third proper album, Shelton also completed two specialty projects: the 1989 holiday album Ricky Van Shelton Sings Christmas and the 1990 gospel record Don't Overlook Salvation. Meanwhile, his official follow-up to Loving Proof, RVS III, was released in 1990 and became his third number one album. "I've Cried My Last Tear for You" gave him another number one single, while "I Meant Every Word He Said" and "Statue of a Fool" both topped out at number two; "Life's Little Ups and Downs" also made the Top Five. In 1991, Shelton teamed up with Dolly Parton for the chart-topping duet "Rockin' Years" and subsequently issued another album, Backroads. Though it just missed the top of the country charts, Backroads kept his hit streak going strong, producing two more number ones in "Keep It Between the Lines" and "I Am a Simple Man" (giving him a total of nine) and a number two hit in the title track.
Musical tastes can shift quickly, and by the time Shelton conquered the alcohol abuse that had begun to take a toll on his personal life, Garth Brooks was completely altering the contemporary country landscape. To hold fans over, he released Greatest Hits Plus in 1992, and its newly recorded track, "Wild Man," hit the Top Five. He returned in 1993 with A Bridge I Didn't Burn, but the album didn't spawn any huge hits, as had been expected; it went gold, but it was the only Ricky Van Shelton album to date that ultimately failed to go platinum. 1994's Love and Honor continued his commercial downturn, and tensions with Columbia led Shelton to part ways with his label a couple years later. He busied himself with, among other projects, a series of children's books centered around the character Quacker the Duck that he'd begun several years earlier. He also formed his own label, RVS, and recorded an album on his own called Making Plans, which he distributed via an exclusive agreement with the Wal-Mart store chain in 1997. The following year, Vanguard stepped in to give the record a wider release. Shelton subsequently signed with the Audium label, home to many veteran country artists, and recorded a new album, Fried Green Tomatoes, in 2000.
Hole In My Pocket
Ricky Van Shelton Lyrics
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I got a hole in my pocket and I can't go to the fair
I'm blue cause I can't meet my baby there
Well I don't show up what will my baby do
Well I don't show up what will my baby do
She'll trifle and cuddle and love with someone new
My money's all gone and my baby is through
I got a hole in my pocket and I don't know what to do
I got a hole in my pocket and my money just runs on through
I got a hole in my pocket and my money just runs on through
Can't see a silver dollar but my baby darlin' wants them to
I told my baby have a little fun tonight
I told my baby have a little fun tonight
But it won't be so funny when there'll be no money in sight
Well ooh ooh ooh what will I do
Well ooh ooh ooh what will I do
Yeah I got a hole in my pocket and I don't know what to do
The song "Hole In My Pocket" by Ricky Van Shelton depicts a man who is struggling with financial issues, specifically a hole in his pocket that is causing him to miss out on a special event with his significant other. He is unable to attend the fair with his baby due to his financial insecurity, knowing that his baby may find herself in the arms of someone else. However, he encourages his baby to have a good time despite the circumstances. The song communicates the idea that money struggles can have a profound impact on relationships and experiences.
The repetition of the lyrics "I got a hole in my pocket" emphasizes the central issue of the song, the lack of money. The phrase "what will I do" also adds to the desperation and uncertainty of the situation. The line "Can't see a silver dollar but my baby darlin' wants them to" highlights the pressure people can feel to provide for their loved ones even in tough situations. The lyrics "But it won't be so funny when there'll be no money in sight" also shows the harsh reality of the financial struggle.
Overall, the song "Hole In My Pocket" by Ricky Van Shelton is a relatable and honest portrayal of the impact that financial insecurity can have on relationships and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a hole in my pocket and I can't go to the fair
I don't have enough money to go to the fair with my loved one and it makes me sad
Well I don't show up what will my baby do
If I don't show up, my loved one might find someone else to spend time with
She'll trifle and cuddle and love with someone new
My partner might flirt with or show affection to someone else
My money's all gone and my baby is through
I've spent all my money and now my loved one is done with me
I got a hole in my pocket and I don't know what to do
I have no money and I don't know how to fix my financial troubles
I got a hole in my pocket and my money just runs on through
My money is disappearing quickly and I don't know where it's going
Can't see a silver dollar but my baby darlin' wants them to
I don't have any money to give my partner, but they still want expensive things
But it won't be so funny when there'll be no money in sight
It'll be no laughing matter when we run out of money
Lyrics © HOUSE OF BRYANT PUBLICATIONS
Written by: Boudleaux Bryant, Felice Bryant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind