When Naomi Judd found herself pregnant, she quickly got married but not to the father of her first child, daughter Christina Ciminella. Christina, born May 30, 1964, became known as Wynonna Judd when the mother-daughter duo stormed the country charts in the 1980s.
After Naomi Judd divorced, she moved from Hollywood, back to Morrill, Ky., with Wynonna and another daughter Ashley. There, she worked as a nurse in a local infirmary. Outside working and school hours, she and the children would sing anything from bluegrass to showbiz standards for their own amusement. However, when Wynonna nurtured aspirations to be a professional entertainer, her mother lent her encouragement, to the extent of moving the family to Nashville in 1979. Naomi's contralto subtly underlined Wynonna's tuneful drawl.
In addition to many performances on Ralph Emery's morning television show, Naomi elicited an audition for RCA Records while tending a hospitalized relation of label producer Brent Maher. With a past that read like a Judith Krantz novel, the Judds -- so the executives considered -- would have more than an even chance in the country market. An exploratory mini-album, which contained proved the executives correct. The single "Had a Dream (From the Heart)" peaked at No. 17 in 1984. Later that year, the Judds scored their first of 14 No. 1 hits with "Mama He's Crazy."
Self-composed songs included Naomi's 1989 composition "Change of Heart," dedicated to her future second husband (and former Elvis Presley backing vocalist) Larry Strickland. Meanwhile, Maher co-wrote hits such as 1985's Grammy-winning "Why Not Me," "Turn It Loose," "Girls Night Out," "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Ol' Days)" and "Rockin' With the Rhythm of the Rain."
Most Judds records exhibited an acoustic bias and a penchant for star guests that included the Jordanaires on "Don't Be Cruel," Emmylou Harris on "The Sweetest Gift," Mark Knopfler on his "Water of Love" and Bonnie Raitt playing slide guitar on the album Love Can Build a Bridge. In 1988, the pair became the first female country act to found their own booking agency (Pro-Tours), but a chronic hepatitis infection forced Naomi to retire from the concert stage two years later.
The Judds toured America in a series of farewell concerts before Wynonna began her solo career. Wynonna got off to a strong start, as her first two singles both went to #1. Her 1994 single "Girls With Guitars" featured Naomi (as well as Lyle Lovett) on backup vocals.
In 1998, The Judds appeared in a commercial for the retail chain Kmart, singing Wynonna's single "Woman To Woman".
In 1999, Wynonna reunited with her mother for a New Year's Eve concert in Phoenix. The following year, the duo recorded four new tracks for a bonus disc issued with Wynonna's album New Day Dawning, and undertook a multi-city tour. The results were issued as the album Reunion Live. A 2004 single, "Flies On The Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)" was recorded with Naomi; however, the single was credited as "Wynonna with Naomi Judd" instead of "The Judds".
My Strongest Weakness
The Judds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Please let me in
'Cause I just can't go through
Another heartache again
Pretty lies and alibis
How could I be so blind?
Now all alone and scared to stay
Slowly going out of my mind
He was my strongest weakness
I surrendered heart and soul
It's gonna be a long, long time
'Til I regain control
I'm still a prisoner
Held captive by his memory
He was my strongest weakness
And I'm afraid he'll always be
I gave my faithful heart to someone
I couldn't understand
How he held my little world
In the palm of his hand
Now he's gone and life goes on
So if this pain will ever end
Will I be afraid to risk it all
Ever fall in love again?
He was my strongest weakness
I surrendered heart and soul
It's gonna be a long, long time
'Til I regain control
I'm still a prisoner
Held captive by his memory
He was my strongest weakness
And I'm afraid he'll always be
He was my strongest weakness
And I'm afraid he'll always be
The lyrics of "My Strongest Weakness" by The Judds delve deep into the emotional turmoil and vulnerability of love and heartbreak. The singer seeks to gain access to the gates of wisdom, a metaphor for understanding and insight, as a means to navigate through the pain of heartache. The plea to be let in signifies a desire for clarity and guidance to avoid repeating the same mistakes that led to the emotional turmoil.
The singer reflects on being deceived by "pretty lies and alibis," showcasing a sense of betrayal and self-blame for being unaware of the true intentions of their loved one. The feeling of being alone and fearful of remaining in such a state highlights the turmoil and confusion that often accompany heartbreak. The line "Slowly going out of my mind" portrays the mental and emotional distress that can result from a broken heart.
The central theme of the song revolves around the concept of love as both a source of strength and vulnerability. The singer admits that the person they loved was their "strongest weakness," indicating that while love brought them joy and fulfillment, it also made them susceptible to pain and suffering. The surrendering of heart and soul signifies a deep emotional investment in the relationship which, despite ending, continues to hold power over the singer's emotions and thoughts.
The fear of not being able to regain control, the feeling of being a prisoner held captive by the memories of the past love, and the uncertainty of being able to open up to love again all contribute to the complex emotions explored in the song. The repetition of the line "He was my strongest weakness" underscores the lasting impact that love and heartbreak can have on an individual, suggesting that the scars left by a past relationship may always linger, shaping future attitudes towards love and relationships. Ultimately, the lyrics convey a poignant message about the enduring power of love and the fragility of the human heart in the face of heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
The keeper of the gates of wisdom
I seek guidance and knowledge from someone wise and insightful
Please let me in
I am asking for access to the wisdom and guidance I seek
'Cause I just can't go through another heartache again
I am unable to bear the pain of another heartbreak
Pretty lies and alibis
I was deceived by beautiful falsehoods and excuses
How could I be so blind?
I am questioning my own lack of insight and awareness
Now all alone and scared to stay
I am feeling isolated and afraid to remain in this state
Slowly going out of my mind
I am losing my sanity and sense of self over time
He was my strongest weakness
I was most vulnerable and exposed when it came to him
I surrendered heart and soul
I gave my all and completely opened up to him
It's gonna be a long, long time
It will take a significant amount of time
'Til I regain control
Before I can regain power over my own emotions and life
I'm still a prisoner
I am still trapped and confined
Held captive by his memory
I am unable to break free from the memories of him
And I'm afraid he'll always be
I fear that he will always have a hold on me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Naomi Ellen Judd, Michael Reid
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lynn7ofhearts
He was my strongest weakness.
I surrendered heart and soul
It's gonna be a long, long time
'Til I regain control
I'm still a prisoner
Held captive by his memory
He was my strongest weakness
And I'm afraid he'll always be
</3
@jimbotc2000
THE TOP 75 BILLBOARD ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE
HOT COUNTRY SINGLES & TRACKS
thirty years ago
1993
Number 68
MY STRONGEST WEAKNESS
Wynonna Judd
Words & music by
Naomi Judd, Mike Reid
Produced by
Tony Brown
Associate Producer:
Don Potter
Curb Records
MCA Records
MCAS7 54516
From the Album
WYNONNA
First Chart Date:
Saturday, December 5, 1992
66-49-36-25-22-20-20-16-13-9-4-4-6-12-23-30-42-44-47-50
Last Chart Date:
Saturday, April 17, 1993
Total weeks on the chart:
20
Peak Position on the chart:
4 [2 weeks]
@kimberlypowell4435
Gave my faithful heart to someone that couldn't understand...how he held my whole world in the palm of his hand
@dalejones2574
Undoubtedly the best country music female singer of our day
@cindyhower1614
"Keeper of the Gates of Wisdom, please let me in, 'cause I just can't go through another heartache again".
One of the best opening lines to a song in all of country music.
@dominiquephillips8918
I'm sorry to correct you but that's one of the best opening lines of all kinds of music
@cindyhower1614
@Dominique Phillips No need to apologize, I think so also!!!!
@dalejones2574
What a tremendous talent! She is the voice of country music! She has been such an amazing artist! Even though her troubles she has been there through it all! Wynonna you are amazing!
@jimbotc2000
!
@allanmacek4413
This is one of the most beautiful songs! Wynonna has an amazing voice! ❤️
@nomojoe8150
I grew up in the 70’s, and 80’s but I miss the 90’s more than any decade. What a great album by a true Queen of Country.
@timothystevens1395
One of the best voices I’ve ever heard