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.
Somebody
Ricky Van Shelton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I know just what he's gonna do
He'll pick up what he left off his last time around
Oh how it hurts to keep on losin' you
Somebody's back in town to steal your love from me
The fear I've had so long is now reality
The only chance I have is when he throws you down
I know I can't change your ways we've been through that before
His trap is set and you will walk right in
He only wants a fly by night affair and nothing more
And you're just fool enough to fall again
Somebody's back in town why can't he stay away
You should know he never loved you anyway
He'll let you live a little then he'll throw you down
Sad news today somebody's back in town
My chance is gone somebody's back in town
The lyrics to Ricky Van Shelton's song "Somebody's Back in Town" convey a sense of heartbreak and foreboding. The singer has just received news that an old flame has returned to town, and he knows that the person will soon come looking for their lost love. The singer fears that he will lose his lover to this person once again and expresses his despair at the situation. He is resigned to the fact that he cannot change his lover's ways and that the other person will ultimately win her over.
Throughout the song, there is a feeling of helplessness and sadness. The singer knows that he cannot compete with the other person who has come back to town, and he has lost all hope of keeping his lover to himself. The lyrics are melancholy and poignant, with the repeated refrain "somebody's back in town" underscoring the sense of loss and despair that the singer feels.
Overall, "Somebody's Back in Town" is a sad and moving song that conveys the emotions of heartbreak and loss. The lyrics offer a powerful insight into the singer's feelings and desires, and the song is a testament to the power of music to move and inspire listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
I just heard the saddest news somebody's back in town
I received unfortunate news that the person who poses a threat to my relationship has returned to town.
And I know just what he's gonna do
I have an idea of the actions that this person will resort to once he's around.
He'll pick up what he left off his last time around
This person will try to rekindle the same relationship he had with you before he left, hoping to pick things up where they left off.
Oh how it hurts to keep on losin' you
It's disheartening to keep losing the person I love to someone else over and over again.
Somebody's back in town to steal your love from me
This person is back in town, with an intention to win your love away from me.
The fear I've had so long is now reality
The fear I've had for a long time about this person's return has come true.
The only chance I have is when he throws you down
The only chance I have of keeping your love is when he disappoints you, and you come back to me.
My chance is gone somebody's back in town
If I don't act fast, I will lose you once again to this person who's back in town.
I know I can't change your ways we've been through that before
I am aware that I can't make you change your mind and stop falling for this person since I've tried doing that before to no avail.
His trap is set and you will walk right in
This individual has a plan in place, one that you'll fall for without seeing the trap awaiting you.
He only wants a fly by night affair and nothing more
This person only desires a temporary, brief relationship with you and doesn't want anything more serious.
And you're just fool enough to fall again
And unfortunately, you're vulnerable and naive enough to fall for this person's charm all over again.
Somebody's back in town why can't he stay away
I'm wondering why this person comes back repeatedly to ruin our happiness.
You should know he never loved you anyway
You should understand that this person never had any genuine feelings of love towards you.
He'll let you live a little then he'll throw you down
He'll give you a taste of happiness, then dash your hopes by ending the relationship abruptly.
Sad news today somebody's back in town
Today brings terrible news that this person who poses a threat to our relationship has returned to town once again.
Lyrics © SURE - FIRE MUSIC COMPANY, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Don Helms, Doyle Wilburn, Teddy Wilburn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jenny edwards
I just love his voice. I can play his songs over and over again and again and listen to his voice forever.
Kenard Azeez
This guy can belt it out with the very best! True country voice...but better is that his songs has real meaning, and you can relate to the words!👌✌👍
Cynthia Turner
So good looking
Billie
You said it! Abslutely beautiful!!!! 🎶🎶💕💕💕💕
Jaimie G
You can feel every word go right through to your heart!!!
hazel maker
I totally agree ❤👍
Ann Bolyn
What a gorgeous voice, filled with emotion, singing a REAL country song, and you can understand the lyrics. Just beautiful.
Greg Normal
Hello!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day… Stay Safe.
Juanita Melton
Yea me waiting I need you baby ❤❤❤❤❤
Billie
I absolutely LOVE his voice and every song he sings. We need more of his music... more more more!🕺🎶🎸🎵💥😍💯💗💗💗💗💗