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.
You Wouldn't Say That To A Stranger
Suzy Bogguss Lyrics
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You hurt me, I only hurt you back
I can't believe how carelessly we say those things
That put our love in danger
You wouldn't say that to a stranger we hurt the ones we love
When we say those words in anger, do we ever make it up
We say what we don't mean and then we say we're sorry later
Last night there was over in the air
Today it's gone just like it was never there
And I don't know where those hateful words come from
It goes against our nature
You wouldn't say that to a stranger we hurt the ones we love
When we say those words in anger, do we ever make it up
We say what we don't mean and then we say we're sorry later
But you wouldn't say that to a stranger
Let's pretend that we just met
And we said nothing we regret
We say what we don't mean and then we say we're sorry later
But you wouldn't say that to a stranger
Suzy Bogguss's song You Wouldn't Say That To A Stranger talks about how we tend to hurt the ones we love with our words when we get angry. The opening lines of the song give the impression that the singer is tired of the petty arguments and fights that keep happening in their relationship. The second line suggests that the singer is not innocent in these arguments but is merely responding to their partner's hurtful words. The line, "I can't believe how carelessly we say those things That put our love in danger," suggests that at the heart of this song is a deep concern about the fragility of love and how easily it can be destroyed by words spoken in anger.
The title of the song, "You Wouldn't Say That to a Stranger," is a reference to the fact that we tend to be kinder and more considerate to strangers than to the people closest to us. The lyrics suggest that if we were to treat our loved ones the way we treat strangers, we would have a much happier and more fulfilling relationship. The chorus of the song repeats the title phrase and drives home the point that we must be careful with our words and treat the people we love with the same kindness and respect that we would show a stranger.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on how quickly anger can dissipate and leave nothing but regret and hurt behind. The line, "And I don't know where those hateful words come from, It goes against our nature," suggests that anger and hurtful words are not natural to human relationships and that we must work hard to overcome them. The final lines of the song suggest a way forward - to imagine that we have just met and to say nothing we will regret. This is a powerful reminder that love requires constant work and attention, but that it is ultimately worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why we act like that
I am confused as to why we behave harshly towards those we love
You hurt me, I only hurt you back
Your actions towards me caused me to retaliate, resulting in further harm
I can't believe how carelessly we say those things
It is unbelievable how casually we express harsh words towards our loved ones
That put our love in danger
Those words jeopardize the security of our relationship
You wouldn't say that to a stranger we hurt the ones we love
We speak unkindly to those closest to us, whereas we would not dare to speak the same way to someone we do not know
When we say those words in anger, do we ever make it up
We may apologize later, but can we truly make up for the hurtful words we spoke when we were angry?
We say what we don't mean and then we say we're sorry later
We express ourselves without really considering the impact of our words and then attempt to make amends afterwards
Last night there was over in the air
There was tension between us last night
Today it's gone just like it was never there
The tension has disappeared as though it never existed
And I don't know where those hateful words come from
I am uncertain as to where the malicious words stem from
It goes against our nature
Speaking hatefully contradicts our innate human tendency to love and care for one another
Let's pretend that we just met
Let us imagine that we are newly acquainted
And we said nothing we regret
We have not uttered anything which could cause us remorse or guilt
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, HENDERSHOT MUSIC
Written by: DOUG CRIDER, PAT BUNCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind