Heartaches By The Number
Willie & Merle Lyrics


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Heartache number one was when you left me
I never knew that I could hurt this way
And heartache number two was when you came back again
You came back and never meant to stay

Now I've got heartaches by the number, troubles by the score
Every day you love me less
Each day I love you more

Yes, I've got heartaches by the number, a love that I can't win
But the day that I'll stop counting
That's the day my world would end

Heartache number three was when you called me
And said that you were coming back to stay
With hopeful heart I waited for your knock on the door
I waited, but you must have lost your way

Now I've got heartaches by the number





And the day that I'll stop counting
That's the day my world will end

Overall Meaning

The song "Heartaches By The Number" tells the story of a person's heartbreak and the different stages of pain they have gone through because of the same person. The lyrics describe how every time this individual leaves and comes back, it brings a new heartache, but they still hold on to the love they have for this person. Heartache number one was when the person left, and the pain was so intense that the singer never imagined they could hurt that way. The second heartache was when the person returned, but it wasn't genuine, and they left again.


The singer is experiencing heartache by the number because of the love they have for this person. The troubles keep adding up, and their love is getting less every day while the singer's love is growing more each day, making it harder for them to move on. Despite the pain, they can't help but continue keeping count of the heartaches they have been through. Heartache number three was when the person called to say they were coming back, but they never showed up, leaving the singer in despair. The song ends with the singer acknowledging the last heartache they would experience: when they finally stop counting, that's when their world would end.


Line by Line Meaning

Heartache number one was when you left me
The first heartache was when you left my life and it made me feel a pain that I had never known before.


And heartache number two was when you came back again, you came back and never meant to stay
The second heartache was when you returned to my life, but it was only temporary as you never intended to stay.


Now I've got heartaches by the number, troubles by the score, every day you love me less, each day I love you more
Currently, I'm dealing with countless heartaches and more problems than I can count because you're losing feelings for me whereas, I'm growing feelings for you every passing day.


Yes, I've got heartaches by the number, a love that I can't win, but the day that I'll stop counting, that's the day my world would end
I have countless heartaches that I can never overcome because the love that I have for you will never be reciprocated to the same extent. But, the day when I'll stop counting and keeping a tab on my pain is the day everything will come to an end.


Heartache number three was when you called me and said that you were coming back to stay
The third heartache was when you called me and said you're returning for good.


With hopeful heart I waited for your knock on the door, I waited, but you must have lost your way
I waited longingly for you, but you didn't show up at my door, and I assumed you lost your way.


Now I've got heartaches by the number, and the day that I'll stop counting, that's the day my world will end
I am enduring countless heartaches and will continue to do so until the day I stop counting, and that day will be the end of my world as I know it.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HARLAN HOWARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@stormcrowlegendary3512

I first heard this song in Fall Out New Vegas. One thing I love about that game is it brings back great 50's songs that are all but forgotten in my generation that people like Willie here was lucky enough to experience.

@markstatman7740

National, no, international treasure. Willie.

@normsweet1710

What a great tribute to a fellow Texan ! With many of the greats of country music.

@Gabriel72MJ

Long Live Willie

@teresarn1965

I LOVE YOU WILLIE!!!

@janetfarris3739

I dearly love this song. My Momma always sang this song. That's how brother and I loved music. We were dancing our shoes off at the old Circle R. 😆

@aletamull5207

Noone Like You Willie You're One Of A Kind.

@herbie651

there will never be another Hank, Patsy or Willie. Clearly remember hearing " Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" for the first time on the car radio. A Willie fan from that time on. Saw him with Waylon in Adelaide a few years back. what a concert.

@jormayorccis1028

Speechless.

@JosephineOliver-qh1te

Nailed it, thanks Willie and the boys! Loved the sound of the steel guitar, true blue country sound 👏🏼👍🏼

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