All These Years
Sawyer Brown Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

She likes adventure with security
And more than one man can provide
She planned adventure feeling sure that he
Would not be home 'til after five

He turned on the lights and turned them off again
And said the one thing he could say
All these years
Where have I been
Well I've been down the road from work and home again
And I'm still here, until I'm gone
And don't you rub it in too hard that I've been wrong
All these years

She said you're not the man you used to be
And he said, Neither is this guy
She there's some things you refuse to see
But I guess sometimes so do I

She made not excuse why she was lying there
She said the one thing she could say
All these years
What have I done
I made your supper and your daughter and your son
Still I'm here, and still confused
But I can finally see how much I stand to lose
All these years

I'm still here and so confused




But I can finally see how much I stand to lose
All these years

Overall Meaning

In Sawyer Brown's song All These Years, the lyrics speak of a husband and wife who have lost touch with each other over the years. The song opens with the wife's desire for adventure and security, both of which she feels that her husband cannot provide. She decides to venture out, thinking that her husband won't be home until late. However, things take an unexpected turn when her husband comes home early and catches her in the act. The husband is shocked and hurt, feeling like he has been missing out on things for years.


The song then goes on to illustrate the breakdown of their relationship, with both parties feeling that the other has changed. The wife admits to her faults, acknowledging that she has been lying to herself and her husband for years. Meanwhile, the husband realizes that he has been neglecting his family and relationship, and it's now evident that he stands to lose everything. The chorus of the song, "All these years, where have I been?" suggests that both parties have been living in their own separate worlds, devoid of any meaningful communication or connection.


The lyrics of Sawyer Brown's All These Years offer a poignant and heart-wrenching reminder of how easy it is to become disconnected from those we hold dear. The song's slow, somber melody is perfectly matched with its melancholic lyrics, making it a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt that they've lost touch with someone they love.


Line by Line Meaning

She likes adventure with security
She seeks excitement in life but wants to feel safe and secure while doing so.


And more than one man can provide
She desires a level of adventure that cannot be fulfilled by just one man.


She planned adventure feeling sure that he
She expected her partner to be away from home during her adventure.


Would not be home 'til after five
She believed her partner would not return home before 5pm.


He turned on the lights and turned them off again
He walked into a dark room and flicked the lights on before turning them off.


And said the one thing he could say
He spoke the only words that came to his mind.


All these years
He wonders where he has been all these years.


Where have I been
He questions where he has been and what he has done with his life.


Well I've been down the road from work and home again
He admits that he has simply gone back and forth between work and home.


And I'm still here, until I'm gone
He acknowledges that he is still alive, but implies that he is not truly living.


And don't you rub it in too hard that I've been wrong
He asks his partner not to dwell on the fact that he may have made mistakes in the past.


She said you're not the man you used to be
She confronts her partner about the changes she has noticed in him.


And he said, Neither is this guy
He responds to her comment by admitting that he has changed and is not the same person he used to be.


She there's some things you refuse to see
She points out that her partner is ignoring certain aspects of their relationship.


But I guess sometimes so do I
She admits that she is also guilty of overlooking things in their relationship.


She made not excuse why she was lying there
She does not offer any excuses for why she is in bed.


She said the one thing she could say
She speaks the only words that come to her mind.


All these years
She reflects on the many years that have passed.


What have I done
She questions the value of her contributions to their relationship.


I made your supper and your daughter and your son
She reminds him of the ways she has cared for his family.


Still I'm here, and still confused
She admits that she is still present in their relationship but remains uncertain about their future.


But I can finally see how much I stand to lose
She realizes the significance of the potential loss if their relationship were to fall apart.


I'm still here and so confused
She reiterates her presence in the relationship and the persisting confusion she feels.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Beginner Music
Written by: MAC MCANALLY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@37gdog

This is one of the most well written songs in country music.

@Lance-Stroll

Yup. It tells a tough story & seems to tell it easily

@christinacarr8971

100% agree. Such a heartbreaking song but the it's sung with such emotion and raw pain that's it's one of my all time favorites.

@newmanoutdoors1564

The best

@lisa6941

I love this song..I sing it all the time.. it'll never get old

@doriankasimati2656

Not only in country, one of the most well written songs in Music

3 More Replies...

@emilymccrea7890

My God, I had forgotten how raw with emotion this song was....

@lovestruck1124

Me too!!!

@adamphillippe9162

It’s sooo good.

@LittleSlim78

One of Sawyer Brown’s best songs. A lot of emotions in this one.

More Comments

More Versions