Introduction to George Jones’ “Every Time I Look at You”
George Jones, often hailed as the “Possum,” is a towering figure in the realm of country music. His distinctive baritone voice, characterized by its emotional depth and raw vulnerability, has captivated audiences for decades. One of his most enduring and beloved tracks is “Every Time I Look at You”, a poignant ballad that showcases Jones’ exceptional ability to convey heartache and longing.
Background
Released in 1978, “Every Time I Look at You” is a classic example of Jones’ signature style. The song’s melancholic melody, coupled with Jones’ heartfelt delivery, creates a powerful atmosphere of sorrow and regret. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man consumed by memories of a lost love. He yearns for the past, haunted by the bittersweet realization that he can never recapture the moments they shared.
The song’s opening lines set the tone for the emotional journey that follows: “Every time I look at you, I see a ghost of what we used to be.” These words immediately evoke a sense of loss and nostalgia. Jones’ voice is filled with a palpable sadness as he reflects on the fading love.
The chorus further emphasizes the theme of longing and regret: “Every time I look at you, I see a love that’s gone astray. And every time I look at you, I’m lost in yesterday.” Jones’ vocal performance is particularly poignant here, as he conveys the depth of his pain and the enduring nature of his love.
The song’s bridge offers a glimmer of hope, as the narrator expresses a desire to reconcile with his former lover. However, this hope is tempered by the realization that it may be too late. The final lines of the song, “I’m lost in yesterday, and I can’t find my way,” reinforce the sense of despair and hopelessness that permeates the entire composition.
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Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Tried to say I’m sorryI didn’t mean to break your heartAnd find you waitin’ up by the light of dayThere’s a lot I wanna tell youBut I don’t know where to startAnd I don’t know what I’d do if you walked awayOoh, baby, I tried to make itI just got lost along the wayBut every time I look at youNo matter what I’m goin’ throughIt’s easy to seeAnd every time I hold youThe things I never told youSeem to come easily‘Cause you’re everything to meI never really wanted to let you get inside my heartI wanted to believe this would soon be endingI thought it wouldn’t matter if it all just came apartBut now I realize I was just pretendingOoh, baby, I know I hurt youBut you can still believe in me‘Cause every time I look at youNo matter what I’m goin’ throughIt’s easy to seeAnd every time I hold youThe things I never told youSeem to come easily‘Cause you’re everything to meIt’s gonna take a little time to show youJust what you mean to me, oh yeahIt seems the more I get to know youThe more I need to make you seeYou’re everything I need, yeahOh, oh, I need ya, I need ya, I need ya, I need ya, yeah, yeahOoh, baby, baby, baby, I know I hurt youBut you can still believe in me‘Cause every time I look at youNo matter what I’m goin’ throughIt’s easy to seeAnd every time I hold youThe things I never told youSeem to come easily