About The Song
Dwight Yoakam’s “It Only Hurts When I Cry” – A Look at Heartbreak’s Pain
“It Only Hurts When I Cry” by Dwight Yoakam is a country song that expresses the lingering pain and emotional turmoil after a breakup.
Release and Success:
- Released in December 1991 as the fourth single from the album “If There Was a Way”
- The song reached No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and No. 4 in Canada.
Story and Themes:
The song is narrated by someone suffering from a recent heartbreak. They attempt to appear unfazed but admit the pain surfaces when they allow themselves to feel.
- Pretending to Be Okay: The lyrics describe the narrator putting on a brave face and trying to move on, despite the hurt they feel.
- The Depth of Emotional Pain: The song’s title succinctly expresses the intensity of the pain that comes with crying over a lost love.
- Holding onto Hope: Despite the sadness, there’s a hint of hope that time might heal the wounds.
Musical Style:
- The song features a slow country ballad tempo with prominent acoustic guitar and steel guitar accompaniment.
- Dwight Yoakam’s distinctive vocals deliver the lyrics with a blend of weariness, vulnerability, and occasional anger.
- The melancholic musical arrangement complements the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Impact and Legacy:
- “It Only Hurts When I Cry” became one of Yoakam’s most recognizable songs and a fan favorite.
- The song resonated with listeners who identified with the experience of heartbreak and suppressing their emotions.
- It remains a classic country ballad that effectively captures the pain of a broken heart.
Here are some additional resources you might find interesting:
- Listen to the song: You can find “It Only Hurts When I Cry” by Dwight Yoakam on various music streaming services or watch the music video on YouTube: YouTube: [link to Dwight Yoakam It Only Hurts When I Cry] (This might be a different video, you can search for the specific music video).
- Read more about the song’s history: While there isn’t a dedicated Wikipedia page for the song itself, you can find information about Dwight Yoakam’s career and the album “If There Was a Way” on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_Yoakam. You can also find articles online discussing the song’s critical reception and its place within Yoakam’s discography.
- Explore Songs About Heartbreak: You can find online resources that discuss country music, as well as other genres’, songs about heartbreak, emotional pain after a breakup, and the process of healing and moving on.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
The only time I feel the painIs in the sunshine or the rainAnd I don’t feel no hurt at allUnless you count when teardrops fallI tell the truth ‘cept when I lieIt only hurts me when I cry
You couldn’t tell it by the smileThat my recovery took awhileI worked for days and nights on endJust to walk and talk againYou can’t believe the time it takesTo heal a heart once it breaks
The only time I feel the painIs in the sunshine or the rainAnd I don’t feel no hurt at allUnless you count my teardrops fallI tell the truth ‘cept when I lieIt only hurts me when I cry
Oh maybe every now and thenI have a small heartache againYou wouldn’t know when you look at meThere’s tiny scars that you can’t seeIt was a struggle to surviveI’m probably lucky I’m alive
The only time I feel the painIs in the sunshine or the rainAnd I don’t feel no hurt at allUnless you count when teardrops fallI tell the truth ‘cept when I lieAnd it only hurts me when I cry
I tell the truth ‘cept when I lieAnd it only hurts me when I cry