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 pain
Is in the sunshine or the rain
And I don’t feel no hurt at all
Unless you count when teardrops fall
I tell the truth ‘cept when I lie
It only hurts me when I cry
You couldn’t tell it by the smile
That my recovery took awhile
I worked for days and nights on end
Just to walk and talk again
You can’t believe the time it takes
To heal a heart once it breaks
The only time I feel the pain
Is in the sunshine or the rain
And I don’t feel no hurt at all
Unless you count my teardrops fall
I tell the truth ‘cept when I lie
It only hurts me when I cry
Oh maybe every now and then
I have a small heartache again
You wouldn’t know when you look at me
There’s tiny scars that you can’t see
It was a struggle to survive
I’m probably lucky I’m alive
The only time I feel the pain
Is in the sunshine or the rain
And I don’t feel no hurt at all
Unless you count when teardrops fall
I tell the truth ‘cept when I lie
And it only hurts me when I cry
I tell the truth ‘cept when I lie
And it only hurts me when I cry
