The band signed with Capitol Records and scored a Top 20 hit with their first single, "Leona," in 1984. That success was quickly followed by their first #1 hit, "Step That Step". The band had their ups and downs on the charts throughout the 1980s. But radio success was not really Sawyer Brown's strong suit. It never was. Rather, they have been successful due to their live performances. Fans flock to the band's concerts year after year, whether the band performs in a stadium, state fair, or casino. The live shows, more than anything, sustained the band until 1989's remake of the George Jones hit "The Race Is On" put them back near the top of the charts.
In 1991, after the release of their album Buick, guitarist Bobby Randall left the group to remain close to his family and host a short-lived TV talent show, You Can Be A Star. Duncan Cameron, formerly of The Amazing Rhythm Aces, was chosen as his replacement just as Sawyer Brown was about to become country music's "it" band. The band then switched labels, moving to Curb Records and releasing the albums The Dirt Road, Cafe On The Corner, and Outskirts Of Town, which saw hit after hit for the band in the early to mid-'90s.
Sawyer Brown was all over country music radio and television for much of the decade. After 1999's Top 10 hit "Drive Me Wild," however, the country music industry seemed to forget about Sawyer Brown in favor of newer acts like Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, and Keith Urban.
The band was having ups and downs in the charts again – mostly downs. In 2003, they parted with Curb, their record label of eleven years, and signed with Lyric Street Records. They released one single, "I'll Be Around", and then left Lyric Street as well. In 2004, they re-signed with Curb, but Duncan Cameron decided to leave the group to pursue a life-long dream of flying for Southwest Airlines.
Guitarist Shayne Hill was added to the lineup as they prepared for the release of their 20th album, Mission Temple Fireworks Stand. While Sawyer Brown is still looking to reclaim the top of the charts, their live shows continue to keep the band going strong.
They Don't Understand
Sawyer Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kids are yelling, kicking up a fuss
Everybody's staring, not knowing what she's going through
Somebody said, Don't you even care?
Do you let 'em do that everywhere
She slowly turned around, looked up and stared
She said, "Please forgive them but they've been up all night
Their father struggled but he finally lost his fight
So please forgive my children"
They don't understand
Everybody's busy with their own situation
Everybody's lost in their own little world
Bottled up, hurry it up, trying to make a dream come true
They don't understand
Everybody's living like there ain't no tomorrow
Maybe we should stop and take a little time
'Cause you never really know what your neighbor's going through
They don't understand
A man driving on the interstate
Slowing down traffic, making everybody late
Everybody's staring, not knowing what he's going through
Somebody hollered from the passing lane
Yelled out the window, "Hey, I ain't got all day"
The old man looked around and he caught his eye
He said, "Please forgive me
You know it's been a long life
My wife has passed away and my kids don't have the time
I've been left all alone and it's getting hard to drive
So please forgive me, children"
They don't understand
Everybody's busy with their own situation
Everybody's lost in their own little world
Bottled up, hurry it up, trying to make a dream come true
They don't understand
Everybody's living like there ain't no tomorrow
Maybe we should stop and take a little time
'Cause you never really know what your neighbor's going through
They don't understand
A man hanging on a wooden cross
Giving everything to save the lost
Everybody's staring, not knowing what He's" going through
Somebody said, "You don't have a prayer
If you were king, come on down from there"
The man just turned his head, looked up and stared
He said, "Please forgive them
For they have not seen the light
They'll come to know me when I come back to life
Go to heaven to make everything alright
So please forgive your children"
They don't understand
Everybody's busy with their own situation
Everybody's lost in their own little world
Bottled up, hurry it up, trying to make a dream come true
They don't understand
Everybody's living like there ain't no tomorrow
Maybe we should stop and take a little time
'Cause you never really know what your neighbor's going through
They don't understand
A mother riding on a city bus
Kids are yelling, kicking up a fuss
Everybody's staring, not knowing what she's going through
The song "They Don't Understand" by Sawyer Brown tells a story of three individuals who are going through difficult situations, and the people around them don't understand their struggles. The song emphasizes the importance of taking the time to understand and empathize with others, instead of being too focused on our own problems.
The first verse tells the story of a mother on a bus with her children, who are misbehaving and causing a disturbance. When someone confronts her about her children's behavior, she explains that they had just lost their father and asks for forgiveness. This verse highlights the importance of not judging others without knowing their struggles.
The second verse is about an old man driving on the interstate, causing a traffic jam. When someone yells at him to move, he explains that his wife has recently passed away and he's struggling with loneliness. This verse shows how easily we can become frustrated with others without knowing their story.
The final verse is about Jesus on the cross, being mocked by those who don't understand the significance of his sacrifice. He asks for forgiveness for those who taunt him, saying they don't understand the greater purpose behind his actions. This verse highlights the theme of the entire song, that people often don't understand each other's struggles or the greater context behind them.
Overall, "They Don't Understand" is a powerful message about the importance of empathy, understanding, and forgiveness. The song encourages listeners to take a step back from their own problems and try to see the world from someone else's perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
A mother riding on a city bus
A mother is traveling on a city bus.
Kids are yelling, kicking up a fuss
The children on the bus are making a lot of noise and causing a disturbance.
Everybody's staring, not knowing what she's going through
The other people on the bus are watching the mother and children but don't know what the mother is dealing with.
Somebody said, Don't you even care?
Someone on the bus accuses the mother of not caring for her children.
Do you let 'em do that everywhere
The same person wonders if the mother lets her children behave badly all the time.
She slowly turned around, looked up and stared
The mother turns to face the person speaking to her and looks them in the eye.
She said, "Please forgive them but they've been up all night
The mother explains that her children have been awake all night for a tragic reason.
Their father struggled but he finally lost his fight
The mother's husband had been fighting an illness and passed away.
He went to heaven in the middle of the night
The husband passed away during the night and is now in heaven.
So please forgive my children"
The mother asks the other passengers to forgive her children's behavior in light of the difficult situation they are dealing with.
They don't understand
The people around the mother and her children don't understand what they are going through.
Everybody's busy with their own situation
The other people on the bus are preoccupied with their own problems and are not focused on the mother's situation.
Everybody's lost in their own little world
Everyone on the bus is caught up in their own concerns and is not paying attention to others around them.
Bottled up, hurry it up, trying to make a dream come true
People are rushing around, trying to achieve their personal goals, which leaves little time or energy to think about others.
A man driving on the interstate
A man is driving on the highway.
Slowing down traffic, making everybody late
The man's driving is causing a traffic delay and inconvenience for others on the road.
Somebody hollered from the passing lane
A person in a different lane shouts at the man in frustration.
Yelled out the window, "Hey, I ain't got all day"
The person in the other car asserts that they do not have all day to wait for the man ahead of them.
The old man looked around and he caught his eye
The man driving notices the person in the neighboring car looking at him.
He said, "Please forgive me
The man apologizes to the person in the other car for holding them up in traffic.
You know it's been a long life
The man explains that he has lived a long time and is not as capable as he once was.
My wife has passed away and my kids don't have the time
The man's wife has died, and his children are too busy to spend time with him.
I've been left all alone and it's getting hard to drive
The man is struggling with loneliness and is finding it difficult to continue driving.
So please forgive me, children"
The man's request for forgiveness is directed at the people on the road as a whole, using the term "children" as a general term for all people.
Everybody's living like there ain't no tomorrow
People are living recklessly, as if there is no future to prepare for.
Maybe we should stop and take a little time
The song suggests that people should slow down and take the time to think about and understand others around them.
'Cause you never really know what your neighbor's going through
The song emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding for others, as we do not know what struggles they may be dealing with.
A man hanging on a wooden cross
The song shifts focus to the image of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Giving everything to save the lost
Jesus sacrificed himself to save humanity from sin.
Somebody said, "You don't have a prayer
The people observing Jesus mock him, suggesting that he is helpless and powerless to change his situation.
If you were king, come on down from there"
The mockers use Jesus' title of "King" to taunt him, daring him to save himself if he truly has that power.
The man just turned his head, looked up and stared
Jesus ignores their mockery and instead looks up towards heaven.
He said, "Please forgive them
Jesus asks God to forgive the people who are mocking him.
For they have not seen the light
Jesus recognizes that the mockers do not understand the truth of his message and his divine nature.
They'll come to know me when I come back to life
Jesus predicts that after his resurrection, people will come to know and understand his message.
Go to heaven to make everything alright
Jesus will ascend to heaven, where he will continue to help and guide those who believe in him.
So please forgive your children"
The final verse echoes the earlier ones, asking for forgiveness and understanding for those who may be struggling or in pain.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dean Chance, Jeff Wood, Steve Miller, Teresa Chance
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jennifer P. Canady
*Lyrics *
A mother riding on a city bus
kids are yelling kicking up a fuss
everybody's staring
not knowing what she's going through
somebody said don't you even care
and do you let them do that everywhere
she slowly turned around, looked up and stared
She said, "Please forgive them
they've been up all night
their father struggled
but he finally lost his fight
he went to heaven
in the middle of the night
so please forgive my children
they don't understand."
Chorus:
Everybody's busy with their own situation
everybody's lost in their own little worldbottled up, hurried up, trying to make a dream come true
they don't understand
everybody's livin' like there ain't no tomorrow
maybe we should stop and take a little time
cause you never really know what your neighbor's going through
they don't understand
A man driving on the interstate
slowing down traffic making everybody wait
everybody's staring not knowing what he's going through
somebody honked from the passing lane
yelling out the window "hey I ain't got all day"
the old man looked around and he caught his eye.
He said, "Please forgive me
you know it's been a long life
my wife has passed away
and my kids don't have the time
I've been left all alone
and it's getting hard to drive
so please forgive me, children
they don't understand."
Repeat chorus
A man hanging on a wooden cross
giving everything to save the lost
everybody's staring
not knowing what he's going through
somebody said "you don't have a prayer
if you're the king come on down from there"
the man just turned his head
looked up and stared.
He said "please forgive them
for they have not seen the light
but they'll come to know me
when I come back to life
and go to heaven
to make everything all right
so please forgive your children
they don't understand.
Repeat chorus
A mother riding on a city bus
kids are yelling kickin' up a fuss
everybody's staring
not knowing what she's going through.
When you started writing, I asked, did you know the song would get to Jesus?
Sean Lynch
Perfect song for right now in 2020, and the craziness were experiencing with Coronavirus, I’ve been guilty of not displaying grace, but this song really speaks to what needs to happen right now in our world
Kiga C
Perfect for 2021 too.
Olive Merrick
This is an absolutely beautiful song. Love Sawyer Brown.
Wilson Perkins
It’s addictive listening to his song, unfortunately artist today have no inspiration and no talent for music. Is this your favorite song??
JuniorMint
I remember when this song came out in 2005...I was 15 and still to this day, this is one of the most powerful songs I've ever heard. It teaches a great lesson with a subtle, yet all powerful message.
Nathanial Vigder
JuniorMint yes. Yes it does. But how many people actually listen to the words? The more time that goes by, the more people get impatient, and unforgiving....its a nice thought, but ultimately kind of pointless. It's a very nice, and moving song though. Fantastic melody, beat, and message. Much like 800 lb jesus. Until I watched the video for that song last year, i took it literally. I never would have thought it was about a little girl and her abused mother.
Alysia Frith
I love this song and to this day, it helps with the bullying that is going on with our childern. I made me daughter listen to it when she started high school and it helped her. This song has the values in it that we taught our kids to have. They are caring and compassionate people. Thank you for making this song.
Paula Jane
This song is so beautiful needs to be played on country radio 🎸❣🎸❤
Neil Jerominek
I could never understand why Sawyer Brown has not had a larger audience. So much good messages in his music.
TattooedEagle
I absolutely love this song. Enough so, that before I knew this video was around, I recorded it myself and it's on my own timeline here on the tube. Glad to see that some of our performers are believers. KUDOS to you Sawyer Brown!!