Achy Breaky Heart
Sydney Devine Lyrics


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You can tell the world, you never was my girl
You can burn my clothes up when I'm gone
You can tell your friends, just what a fool I've been
And laugh and joke about me on the phone

You can tell my arms, go back to the farm
You can tell my feet to hit the floor
Or you can tell my lips, to tell my fingertips
The won't be reaching out for you no more

Chorus
But don't tell my heart
My achy breaky heart
I just don't think he'd understand
And if you tell my heart
My achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man

You can tell your Ma, I moved to Arkansas
You can tell your dog to bite my leg
Or tell your brother Cliff, whose fist can tell my lip
He never really liked me anyway

Or Tell your Aunt Louise, tell anything you please
Myself already knows I'm not OK
Or you can tell my eyes, to watch out for my mind
It might be walking out on me today

Chorus
But don't tell my heart
My achy breaky heart
I just don't think he'd understand
And if you tell my heart
My achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man

Don't tell my heart
My achy breaky heart
I just don't think he'd understand
And if you tell my heart
My achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man

Don't tell my heart
My achy breaky heart
I just don't think he'd understand
And if you tell my heart
My achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man

Overall Meaning

Sydney Devine's song "Achy Breaky Heart" is a playful and lighthearted country tune that expresses the singer's fear of heartbreak and the potential consequences it may have on his emotional state. The lyrics portray a somewhat comical approach to a breakup, highlighting the irrationality and vulnerability that comes with love and heartache.


The song opens with the singer stating that the world can know that the woman in question was never his. He acknowledges that she has the power to dispose of his belongings when he is gone and can freely tell her friends about his foolishness, allowing them to joke about him. He then humorously suggests that she can command his arms to return to the farm, his feet to get back on the ground, and his lips to inform his fingertips that they should stop reaching out for her.


However, despite all of these possibilities, the singer repeatedly requests that she does not inform his heart about the breakup. He fears that his heart, represented as a separate entity from himself, would not comprehend or handle the news well. In fact, he suggests that his heart might become so overwhelmed with grief and anger that it would explode, potentially resulting in harm to himself or others.


The second verse continues with the theme of character assassination, as the singer humorously suggests that she can tell her mother that he has moved to Arkansas and instruct her dog to bite his leg. He mentions her brother Cliff, implying that he's prepared to face physical aggression from him, as he never liked him anyway. The singer is quite aware that things are not okay within himself, urging her to tell him anything she pleases. Ultimately, he warns his eyes to watch out for his mind, implying that he may lose his sanity over the heartbreak.


Overall, the lyrics of "Achy Breaky Heart" capture the vulnerability and the fear of heartbreak, but with a whimsical and light-hearted twist. It's a playful take on the emotional turmoil that often accompanies the end of a relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

You can tell the world, you never was my girl
You have the freedom to proclaim to everyone that you were never my romantic partner


You can burn my clothes up when I'm gone
Feel free to destroy my belongings after I have left


You can tell your friends, just what a fool I've been
Feel free to inform your acquaintances about how foolish I have been


And laugh and joke about me on the phone
You can have a good laugh and make jokes about me during your conversations


You can tell my arms, go back to the farm
You are free to instruct my arms to return to the countryside


You can tell my feet to hit the floor
You have the authority to command my feet to move and touch the ground


Or you can tell my lips, to tell my fingertips
Alternatively, you can instruct my lips to convey a message to my fingertips


They won't be reaching out for you no more
They will no longer extend towards you or have any desire to reach for you


But don't tell my heart
Please refrain from informing my heart


My achy breaky heart
About the pain and sorrow that engulfs my heart


I just don't think he'd understand
I doubt he would be capable of comprehending the situation


And if you tell my heart
Moreover, if you go against my request and inform my heart


My achy breaky heart
About the distress and anguish residing in my heart


He might blow up and kill this man
It is possible that my heart may figuratively explode and cause my demise


You can tell your Ma, I moved to Arkansas
Feel free to inform your mother that I have relocated to Arkansas


You can tell your dog to bite my leg
You have permission to instruct your dog to bite my leg


Or tell your brother Cliff, whose fist can tell my lip
Alternatively, you can inform your brother Cliff, who is not averse to using physical force, that he can harm my lip


He never really liked me anyway
It is evident that he never genuinely held any affection for me


Or tell your Aunt Louise, tell anything you please
You may also inform your Aunt Louise and share any information that you desire


Myself already knows I'm not OK
Currently, I am already aware that I am not in a state of well-being


Or you can tell my eyes, to watch out for my mind
Alternatively, you can advise my eyes to be cautious and attentive towards my thoughts


It might be walking out on me today
There is a possibility that my mind may abandon me imminently


Don't tell my heart
I implore you not to divulge any information to my heart


My achy breaky heart
About the pain and sorrow that plagues my heart


I just don't think he'd understand
I simply believe that my heart would struggle to comprehend


And if you tell my heart
Furthermore, if you disregard my plea and disclose to my heart


My achy breaky heart
About the agony and distress that overwhelms my heart


He might blow up and kill this man
There is a chance that my heart might metaphorically explode and bring about my demise


Don't tell my heart
I beseech you not to reveal anything to my heart


My achy breaky heart
About the heartache and misery that afflicts my heart


I just don't think he'd understand
I cannot help but doubt that my heart would grasp the situation


And if you tell my heart
Moreover, if you choose to ignore my plea and disclose to my heart


My achy breaky heart
About the anguish and sorrow that consumes my heart


He might blow up and kill this man
It is conceivable that my heart could figuratively explode and bring about my demise




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Von Tress

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