The duo had a successful musical career throughout the '30s and '40s and into the '50s. The Delmore Brothers toured and recorded until Rabon's death in 1952. After his brother's death Alton recorded some solo material, but achieved little commercial success. Alton died in 1964.
Careless Love
The Delmore Brothers Lyrics
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You've fly through my head like wine
You've wrecked the life of a many poor girl
And you nearly spoiled this life of mine
Love, oh love, oh careless love
In your clutches of desire
You've made me break a many true vow
Love, oh love, oh careless love
All my happiness bereft
You've filled my heart with weary old blues
Now I'm walkin', talkin' to myself
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Trusted you now, it's too late
You've made me throw my old friend down
That's why I sing this song of hate
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Night and day, I weep and moan
You brought the wrong man into this life of mine
For my sins, till judgment I'll atone
The Delmore Brothers’s song “Careless Love” is a slow and somber tune that speaks to the sorrowful effects of love. The lyrics are an expression of emotional frustration and pain that one experiences when they trust love and it fails them. The metaphors used in the song liken love to wine that goes to the head and clutches of desire that are difficult to get rid of. The singer tells the story of how love has caused havoc in the lives of many poor girls and nearly ruined the singer's life too. The singer makes allusions to the many true vows that have been broken in the name of love and how it brings about weariness and sadness.
The lyrics of the song indicate a change that has occurred in the singer’s life following a failed love affair. The singer has become disillusioned and hapless, and now walks and talks to himself. Trusting love has led to a loss of happiness and has caused the singer to throw down an old friend. The remorseful tone that is prevalent throughout the song suggest that the singer is aware of the mistakes they've made, yet they are powerless to change the situation. The last line of the song speaks to the singer's hopelessness as they state that love has brought the wrong man into their life of sins.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, oh love, oh careless love
The love that is being referred to is reckless and irresponsible and has caused heartbreak and pain.
You've fly through my head like wine
The impact of this carefree love is immense and has affected the mind in such a way that it feels intoxicated like wine.
You've wrecked the life of a many poor girl
This love has destroyed the lives of many women, leaving them poor and helpless.
And you nearly spoiled this life of mine
This love nearly ruined the life of the artist as well.
In your clutches of desire
Love has taken control of the artist's desire, overpowering reason and logic.
You've made me break a many true vow
This love has caused the singer to break many promises and vows in their life.
Then you set my very soul on fire
Love has ignited the singer's soul, causing them to feel intense passion and desire.
All my happiness bereft
Love has taken away all the artist's happiness.
You've filled my heart with weary old blues
The artist's heart is now filled with sadness and sorrow due to the effects of this love.
Now I'm walkin', talkin' to myself
The artist is now alone and talking to themselves, possibly because of the damage this love has caused to their relationships.
Trusted you now, it's too late
The singer trusted this love, but now it's too late to turn back.
You've made me throw my old friend down
Love has caused the artist to abandon a longtime friend, possibly because of jealousy or neglect.
That's why I sing this song of hate
Because of the negative impact love has had on the singer's life, they are expressing their hatred of it through song.
Night and day, I weep and moan
The singer is constantly in a state of mourning and sadness because of the effects of this love.
You brought the wrong man into this life of mine
Love has brought the singer the wrong kind of man, causing more harm than good.
For my sins, till judgment I'll atone
The artist feels guilty for the sins they committed because of this love and will continue to suffer until the day of judgement.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANGELO BADALAMENTI, JOHN MAYBURY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind