After taking a brief recording hiatus in the mid-1990s to start a family with her husband, songwriter Doug Crider, Bogguss returned to the country music scene to find that her charting power had already faded. Although she last appeared on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart in 1999, Bogguss continues to record and perform around the country to a loyal following.
Her most recent recordings have ventured into swing and jazz variations of country. These albums really showcase the tremendous talent in her voice. Suzy is a true singer, and her voice has so much versatility.
In 2014, Suzy added an album of Merle Haggard songs entitled "Lucky". The country & western flavor dominates this album, unlike some of her other recent work. To promote this new album, Suzy has embarked on a nationwide tour.
I Wish Hearts Would Break
Suzy Bogguss Lyrics
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Swung a heavy hammer in the bottom of a mine
But he always came up smiling, a light within his eyes
Now there is a skeleton that I don't recognize
But it is not the coal that has him fading fast
It's a love gone forever that he thought would last
That he can't get past
It wouldn't be quite such a beating to take
Why don't they give in
Instead of coming back over and over again
Oh I wish hearts would break
She was an angel
Arms open wide, never met a stranger
Now she withdraws at the slightest touch
Like an animal that's beaten one time too much
But it was not an angry hand that hurt her so
It was a gentle one that she used to hold
That let her go
I wish hearts would break
It wouldn't be quite such a beating to take
Why don't they give in
Instead of coming back over and over again
Oh I wish hearts would break
I wish hearts would break
It wouldn't be quite such a beating to take
Why don't they give in
Instead of coming back over and over again
Oh I wish hearts would break
The lyricist is painting a picture of two individuals who have gone through significant emotional turmoil in their lives. The first verse describes a man who was once strong and resilient, working hard in the mines with a smile on his face. However, something has changed him, turning him into a mere shadow of his former self. The cause of his decline is not the physical labor of the mines, but a love that has ended and left him unable to move forward. The pain of this lost love is consuming him, and he is struggling to overcome it.
In the chorus, the singer expresses a wish for hearts to break, indicating that the pain of heartbreak would be easier to bear than the torment of lingering emotions. The repetition of this sentiment emphasizes the idea that sometimes it would be better for hearts to break and release the pain rather than holding onto it indefinitely. The singer questions why hearts don't just give in and let go, rather than continuously revisiting the hurt and prolonging the agony.
The second verse shifts focus to a woman who was once open and loving, but now recoils at any form of affection. Her behavior suggests that she has been deeply wounded, but interestingly, not by a harsh or abusive hand. Instead, it was a gentle hand that she used to hold, likely indicating that a former partner or loved one has left her despite their initial tenderness. This loss has left her scarred and hesitant to trust or open up to others.
The repeated chorus reinforces the theme of longing for hearts to break and release the pain, highlighting the singer's frustration and confusion about why some people hold onto hurtful emotions rather than allowing themselves to heal. The desire for a clean break from the past and the cycle of heartbreak is palpable in these verses, as the singer reflects on the complexities of love, loss, and resilience in the face of emotional turmoil.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: ANTHONY M. ARATA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind