Lynne's first recording for Epic was a duet with George Jones, "If I Could Bottle This Up", which became a top-50 hit in 1988. In 2000 she won a Grammy award for "Best New Artist", despite the fact that she had been recording and releasing records for more than ten years
With Tears, Lies, and Alibis the follow-up to 2008's Just A Little Lovin' and the first release on her own label, Everso Records, Shelby Lynne affirms her position as a visionary, iconoclastic artist who deftly weaves country, soul, rock, blues, pop and folk influences to forge her own unique style. Like Identity Crisis (2003) and Suit Yourself (2005), this sparse, unguarded collection was produced by Lynne, who evokes a live-in-the-studio vibe from a stellar group of musicians. Born in Quantico, VA, she grew up in Jackson, AL and headed to Nashville at an early age. At 18, Lynne s demos landed her an appearance on TNN s Nashville Now series, which led to a Top 50 duet ( "If I Could Bottle This Up" ) with George Jones and a record deal. Following the release of the critically acclaimed I Am Shelby Lynne in 2000, she won the GRAMMY® for Best New Artist. She made her acting debut in 2005, playing Johnny Cash's mother in the Fox Searchlight motion picture Walk the Line.
Killin' Kind
Shelby Lynne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was so careless of me
I guess I've gone and done it
It's just a matter of time
Nothin' I can do but tell you I'm sorry
And that's the hardest part of all
'Cause your love's the killin' kind
I'd rather walk on glass
Than see teardrops in your eyes
And I'd fall to pieces just to hold you
The best thing in my life
It's just luck I get to love you
You're the one thing that's right
You're the light in my hell, darlin'
'Cause your love's the killin' kind
Your love's the killin' kind
Oh, yeah
I, I just might cry now
Die, lay down and die now
Why, 'cause you've done it to me
You're puttin' me under
I close my eyes and I sit under the sky
I love you and all it's pleasure
Baby, it feels so right
My arms won't be any use at all
If I can't hold you
'Cause your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Oh, yeah
I'd die, baby
Ooh, I'd die for your darlin'
Just want to say I'm sorry
Oh, I'd do anything
Anything
The lyrics of Shelby Lynne's song "Killin' Kind" speaks about the singer's realization that her careless actions have hurt her lover. She apologizes to her lover but feels helpless knowing that her love is the "killing kind," meaning that her love for her lover is so strong that it is capable of destroying them both emotionally. She would rather walk on glass than see her lover cry and would fall to pieces just to hold them. The singer views her lover's love as the sole positive aspect of her life and acknowledges that their love is the only thing that feels right, even though it brings so much pain. She ultimately confesses that she would die for her lover if it means their forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't mean to hurt your feelings
I am sorry for hurting you, it wasn't my intention
It was so careless of me
I acted without thinking or being careful
I guess I've gone and done it
I have probably caused irreparable damage to our relationship
It's just a matter of time
It won't be long before the consequences of my actions become clear
Nothin' I can do but tell you I'm sorry
Apologizing is the only thing left for me to do
And that's the hardest part of all
Knowing that I hurt you and admitting my mistake is very difficult for me
'Cause your love's the killin' kind
Your love is so powerful that it can make me feel both alive and vulnerable
Your love's the killin' kind
Your love is so intense that it could be dangerous for me
I'd rather walk on glass
I would rather experience physical pain than see you cry
Than see teardrops in your eyes
Your tears are unbearable for me to witness
And I'd fall to pieces just to hold you
I am so in love with you that I would do anything just to be close to you
The best thing in my life
You are the most important and valuable thing in my life
It's just luck I get to love you
I am grateful to have the opportunity to love someone as wonderful as you
You're the one thing that's right
In a world full of chaos and uncertainty, you are the one thing that feels perfect and true
You're the light in my hell, darlin'
Even in the darkest moments of my life, your love brings me hope and joy
'Cause your love's the killin' kind
Your love is so powerful that it has the ability to heal or destroy me emotionally
Your love's the killin' kind
Your love is so intense that it could be both a blessing and a curse for me
I, I just might cry now
The emotions of the situation are overwhelming and I may break down in tears
Die, lay down and die now
The thought of losing you or the pain of the situation is so unbearable that I just want to give up on everything
Why, 'cause you've done it to me
The pain and emotional turmoil is a direct result of my love for you
You're puttin' me under
Your love is overwhelming and I am unable to resist it
I close my eyes and I sit under the sky
I take a moment to reflect and appreciate the beauty of nature, while also acknowledging the depth of my emotions
I love you and all it's pleasure
My love for you brings me immense happiness and joy
Baby, it feels so right
Being with you and experiencing your love feels completely natural
My arms won't be any use at all
Without you in my life, everything feels incomplete and meaningless
If I can't hold you
The physical act of holding you brings me comfort and happiness
'Cause your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Your love is so powerful that it can consume me entirely, leaving no room for anything else
Your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Your love is so intense that it has the ability to completely change my life
Your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Your love is so strong that it is both beautiful and terrifying to experience
Your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Your love is something that I cannot resist, even if it causes me pain or hardship
Oh, yeah
Expressing the immense emotion and passion behind the lyrics
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Shelby Lynne Moorer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adrian Stott
I didn't mean to hurt your feelings
It was so careless of me
I guess I've gone and done it
Just a matter of times
Nothin' I can do but tell you I'm sorry
And that's the hardest part of all
Cause your love's the killin' kind
Your love's the killin' kind
I'd rather walk on glass
Than see teardrops in your eyes
And I'd fall to pieces just to hold you
The best thing in my life
It's just luck I get to love you
You're the one thing that's right
You're the light in my hell's darkness
Cause your love's the killin' kind
Your love's the killin' kind
Oh, yeah
I, I just might cry now
Die, lay down and die now
Why, cause you've done it to me
You're puttin' me under
I close my eyes and I sit under the sky
I love you and all is pleasure
Baby, it feels so right
My arms won't be any use at all
If I can't hold you
Cause your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Your love's the killin' kind (killin' kind)
Oh, yeah
I'm dyin' baby
Ooh, I'm dyin', darlin
Just want to say I'm sorry
Oh, I'd do anything
Anything
Oh
Yeah
Don't leave me, darlin
Oh
Ooh, don't leave me baby
I'm dyin' for you baby
You're killin' me baby
thestick52
One of my favorite songs and singers. She's got such an immense talent and a beautiful voice. Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷
Daniel Oswald
As happens every couple of years I get completely hooked on this beautiful song. Once again I am in that place and am better for it. Thank you Shelby!
Am I Not Merciful
There is a sadness in Shelby that will probably be with her throughout her life. "You're the light in my hell's darkness" is a fitting line. What a talented and deep woman.
MGstaR17
20 years, and still a perceft song!
Rich Litton
It really is. Not close to getting old.
Rommel Abundo
I love this song and singer. I wish she had more recognition. She’s got a great voice and plenty of potential.
Hubert Lavelle
I've always loved this song just found it again and it's as good as it's always been . It just lifts and touches your heart with its firm declaration which will never let you go .thank for posting thank you shelby
Harry Sinnett
What a talent. This woman sings with such feeling and commitment.
Michelle Rose
What an incredible chorus. The harmonies stacked in there give me goosebumps...
Adrian Canales
Underrated classic from this phenomenal Woman!