Twenty-five years later, Walter's signature song is a staple on the radio, and can also be heard in feature films and on television. Meanwhile, he has continued to make original music as both a prolific individual artist, with a total of eight solo CDs to his credit, and as a member of performing and recording bands including the Malibooz and the Brooklyn Cowboys.
Today, Walter Egan continues to write, produce, and record new music (check out his two new songs in the MP3 downloads section below) and perform live around Nashville and nationally.
The Truth
Walter Egan Lyrics
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It can be brutal hurtful and mess with your mind
Just when you think you've got it all figured out
The truth comes along and tells you what it's all about
Sometimes the truth can be unkind
Oh the truth sometimes will let you down
It can be cruel make you a fool and push you around
The truth comes along and makes you feel so small
Sometimes the truth will let you down
Happiness used to be a kiss away
How I wish I could kiss you today
Oh baby you threw it all away
Happiness used to be a kiss away
How I wish I could kiss you today
Oh baby hear what I say
Oh my sweet baby
You threw it all away
Oh the truth I don't want to know
These lyrics by Walter Egan are about the harsh reality of the truth. The first two stanzas explain how the truth can be brutal and hurtful, and how it can mess with your mind. Just when you think you have everything figured out, the truth comes along and tells you something completely different. The song emphasizes that this cruel aspect of the truth can let you down and make you a fool even when you think you're standing tall. The final lines of the song drive home the point that sometimes, the truth can be too painful to bear. The line "Oh the truth I don't want to know" underscores the idea that sometimes ignorance or denial is necessary to preserve one's sanity.
The other part of the song is about lost love. Walter Egan sings about how happiness used to be a kiss away, and how he wishes he could kiss his lover today. He's clearly heartbroken because his significant other has thrown it all away. The song is a reflection on the power of truth to change one's life, even when it's painful, and the regrets that can come from not listening to it.
Line by Line Meaning
The truth sometimes can be unkind
Sometimes the truth can be harsh and unsympathetic.
It can be brutal hurtful and mess with your mind
The truth can be savage, damaging, and disturb your mental state.
Just when you think you've got it all figured out
At the moment when you believe you've solved the issue or made sense of it all,
The truth comes along and tells you what it's all about
The truth appears and clarifies the situation for you.
Oh the truth sometimes will let you down
The truth can sometimes be disappointing, disheartening, and unsatisfying.
It can be cruel make you a fool and push you around
The truth might be malicious, make you look foolish, and mistreat you.
Just when you think you're standing tall
At the moment when you feel confident and secure,
The truth comes along and makes you feel so small
The truth arrives and makes you feel insignificant and inadequate.
Happiness used to be a kiss away
Happiness was quickly and readily accessible through kissing.
How I wish I could kiss you today
I wish I could kiss the person I miss and love so much right now.
Oh baby you threw it all away
Oh, my love, you destroyed our relationship and the potential for happiness we had.
Oh the truth I don't want to know
I'd rather not know the truth right now.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: KIRK N BENNETT, CECILE CHARLTON, JAZZIQUE N CHIVERTON, PETER HARRISON, OWEN N RENNALS, C. N WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind