Why Baby Why
Webb Pierce Lyrics


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Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby, why
You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby, cry
I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
But tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby, why

Well I got a crow I wanna pick with you
Just like last time when the feathers flew
You're runnin' wild a-kickin' up your heels
A-leavin' me home with a hand full of bills

I can't live without you and you know it's true
But there's no livin' with you, so what'll I do
I'm goin' honky tonkin', get as tight as I can
And maybe by then you'll 'preciate a good man

Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby, why
You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby, cry
I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
So tell me why baby, why baby, why baby, why

Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby, why
You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby, cry

Well, I don't know, but I've heard say
Ev'ry little dog is gonna have his day
You'd better pay attention, don't you dare forget
'Cause you're sincerely not just a little bitty puppy yet

I caught you honky tonkin' with my best friend
What I shoulda done was quit you way back then
Now I'm too old to leave you, but I still get sore
When you come home a-feelin' for the knob on the door

Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby, why
You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby, cry




I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
So tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby, why

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Webb Pierce's song "Why Baby Why" chronicle the struggles of a man who is constantly hurt and betrayed by the woman he loves. The song begins with the lines "Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby, why/ You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby, cry," which immediately evoke a sense of desperation and frustration. The man is at a loss as to why his partner continues to hurt him, but he cannot help but love her despite her flaws. He admits that he cannot live without her, but he also cannot live with her. He decides to go out to a honky-tonk to escape his problems, hoping that maybe she will appreciate him more as a result.


In the second verse, the man says that he has a "crow" to pick with her, just like the last time when they had a fight. She is running wild, spending his money and leaving him with nothing. The man is torn between his love for her and his frustration with her behavior. He wants to be a good partner to her, but he feels that she does not appreciate him. The third verse talks about the man catching his partner "honky tonkin'" with his best friend, which is the final betrayal that pushes him over the edge. He admits that he is too old to leave her, but he still feels pain and anger when she returns home.


Line by Line Meaning

Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby, why
The singer wants to know the reason behind the actions of his lover that are causing him to feel hurt and upset.


You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby, cry
The singer's lover is causing him to feel emotional pain, which is manifested in his tears.


I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
The singer's feelings for his lover are so strong that he will continue to love her, even if it leads to his death.


But tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby, why
The artist is still waiting for an explanation from his lover for her hurtful actions.


Well I got a crow I wanna pick with you
The artist has a disagreement that he wants to discuss with his lover.


Just like last time when the feathers flew
The singer and his lover had a previous argument, which resulted in a heated exchange.


You're runnin' wild a-kickin' up your heels
The singer's lover is acting recklessly and irresponsibly.


A-leavin' me home with a hand full of bills
The artist's lover is neglecting her financial responsibilities and leaving him to deal with the consequences.


I can't live without you and you know it's true
The artist is deeply dependent on his lover and he acknowledges this fact.


But there's no livin' with you, so what'll I do
Although the artist cannot live without his lover, he is also unable to tolerate her behavior.


I'm goin' honky tonkin', get as tight as I can
The singer is going out to party, drink and forget his problems.


And maybe by then you'll 'preciate a good man
The artist hopes that his lover will realize his worth and appreciate him more when he is absent.


Well, I don't know, but I've heard say
The singer is uncertain about what the future holds, but has heard rumors.


Ev'ry little dog is gonna have his day
The singer believes that everyone will have their moment of triumph or revenge.


You'd better pay attention, don't you dare forget
The singer is warning his lover to be mindful of her actions and not forget his worth.


'Cause you're sincerely not just a little bitty puppy yet
The artist is reminding his lover that she is not naive or innocent, but responsible for her actions and their consequences.


I caught you honky tonkin' with my best friend
The artist's lover has been unfaithful with his best friend.


What I shoulda done was quit you way back then
The singer realizes that he should have ended the relationship when he first discovered his lover's infidelity.


Now I'm too old to leave you, but I still get sore
The singer feels trapped in the relationship and unable to leave, despite his anger and pain.


When you come home a-feelin' for the knob on the door
The artist's lover is returning home, but he is not eager to see her or welcome her back.




Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DARRELL EDWARDS, GEORGE JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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