Soon, their song, The Good Kind — originally recorded solely by Jessica — was featured on the hit teen soap opera One Tree Hill. They performed this song on the show on February 8, 2005. Later that month, the duo embarked on the month-long, nation-wide One Tree Hill Tour along with Gavin DeGraw, Tyler Hilton, and Bethany Joy Lenz. Michelle later expressed her dislike of going on tour without releasing an album first. "Stand Still, Look Pretty" became that album. It was released on May 23, 2006, debuting at number fourteen on the U.S. Billboard 200 with 44,000 copies sold in its first week. Though the market for country music is generally smaller in the UK compared to the United States, the album reached number one on the country chart on that side of the Atlantic.
The Wreckers broke up in 2008
Hard To Love
The Wreckers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why can't they even start to try
'Cause now I feel the bridge is burnin'
Oh oh
And all the smoke is in my eyes
Oh oh
I realize I never let them know me
Took a mistake to really show me
Oh oh
Exactly what they were like
[Chorus]
I've been wrong but I've been changin'
I've been wonderin' what to do
Here I am alone and waitin'
For you
Why do I try to make them happy
Why am I always playin' nice
It isn't easy tryin' to tell you
Oh oh
Exactly whats on my mind
[Chorus]
I've been wrong but I've been waitin'
For you
I've been wrong but I've been changin'
I've been wonderin' what to do
Here I am alone and waitin'
Waitin'
For you
In "Hard to Love You," The Wreckers explore the difficulties of loving someone who seems to make it hard for others to love them too. The opening lines pose a poignant question: why is it so hard for you to let others love you? This sets a pensive tone for the rest of the song, as the singer grapples with the challenge of getting close to someone who keeps themselves at arm's length. The singer laments that despite their efforts to be patient and kind, they still feel as though they are being shut out. The image of bridges burning is particularly telling - it suggests that there has been irreversible damage done to the relationship, and that the chances of rebuilding what was once there are slim. This sense of finality is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase "I've been wrong," as the singer recognizes that they have tried to force things to work when perhaps it was futile all along.
The chorus provides a glimmer of hope, suggesting that although there have been missteps and false starts, there is still a chance for reconciliation. The singer has acknowledged their mistakes and is willing to change. They are waiting for the other person to meet them halfway, to finally engage in an honest conversation about what has been holding them back from truly connecting. As the song comes to a close, there is a note of wistfulness in the repeated lines, "Here I am alone and waiting / For you." It's clear that the singer is committed to making things work, but they are achingly aware that the outcome may not be what they hope for.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do they make it hard to love you
I am having a hard time loving you because others are making it difficult for me to do so.
Why can't they even start to try
I wish others would make an attempt to understand you and show some kindness towards you.
'Cause now I feel the bridge is burnin'
The relationship is deteriorating and it may be too late to salvage it.
And all the smoke is in my eyes
The problems in the relationship are affecting me emotionally and making it difficult to see clearly.
I realize I never let them know me
I am now realizing that I haven't allowed others to truly know me and my inner thoughts and feelings.
I always wanted to be right
I have a tendency to prioritize being right over being honest or vulnerable in my relationships.
Took a mistake to really show me
It took making a mistake to make me realize the true nature of the people around me.
I've been wrong but I've been changin'
I have made mistakes in the past but I am actively working to change and improve myself.
I've been wonderin' what to do
I am unsure of what actions I should take to improve the situation.
Here I am alone and waitin'
I am feeling isolated and waiting for someone to reach out and connect with me.
Why do I try to make them happy
I am constantly seeking to make others happy, even at the expense of my own needs and desires.
Why am I always playin' nice
I tend to suppress my true feelings and put on a pleasant demeanor in order to avoid conflict.
It isn't easy tryin' to tell you
I am finding it difficult to communicate my true feelings to you.
Exactly whats on my mind
I want to be completely honest about my thoughts and feelings with you.
I've been wrong but I've been waitin'
I acknowledge my mistakes but I am still waiting for the other person to take action and improve the relationship.
Waitin'
I am still waiting for the other person to show me they care and want to work on the relationship.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LEVENTHAL, MICHELLE BRANCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind