Country Music

Classic Country Music Hits

Country Music

There Goes My Everything – Jack Greene

“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”

Introduction

I remember my grandfather, a stoic man of few words, humming “There Goes My Everything” while tinkering in his workshop. The raw emotion in the song always struck me, even as a child. It was a glimpse into his heart, a window to emotions rarely expressed. This song, a country music staple, holds within its simple melody a universe of heartbreak and resilience.

About The Composition

  • Title: There Goes My Everything
  • Composer: Dallas Frazier
  • Premiere Date: 1966
  • Genre: Country

Background:

Penned by the prolific songwriter Dallas Frazier, “There Goes My Everything” emerged during the golden era of country music. The song narrates the devastating loss of a loved one, capturing the raw pain of separation and the struggle to rebuild a shattered life. While the exact inspiration remains a mystery, the song’s universal themes of love and loss resonated deeply with audiences, quickly becoming a country standard.

Musical Style:

“There Goes My Everything” is characterized by its simple yet powerful melody, carried by a classic country instrumentation of acoustic guitar, pedal steel guitar, and strings. The song’s structure follows a traditional verse-chorus form, allowing the poignant lyrics to take center stage. Frazier’s masterful use of repetition in the chorus reinforces the feelings of despair and longing, leaving a lasting impact on the listener.

Lyrics/Libretto:

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of heartbreak and desolation. Lines like “There goes my reason for living, there goes the one of my dreams” express the utter devastation of losing a loved one. Yet, amidst the pain, there’s a glimmer of hope and acceptance. The final lines, “Guess I’ll go on living, but there’s nothing left of me,” speak to the enduring human spirit, finding the strength to carry on even in the face of unbearable loss.

Performance History:

Numerous country music legends have covered “There Goes My Everything”, including Elvis Presley, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Tammy Wynette, solidifying its place as a country classic. Each rendition brings a unique flavor to the song while retaining its emotional core. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless themes and relatable story.

Cultural Impact:

“There Goes My Everything” transcends the boundaries of country music, reaching a wider audience with its universal themes of love and loss. The song’s influence can be seen in various covers and adaptations across different genres, demonstrating its lasting cultural impact. Its use in film and television further amplifies its reach, connecting with audiences on an emotional level.

Legacy:

Over half a century since its creation, “There Goes My Everything” continues to resonate with listeners. Its raw emotion and relatable story offer solace and a sense of shared experience to those navigating the complexities of love and loss. The song’s enduring legacy is a testament to its power to connect with the human spirit on a profound level.

Conclusion:

“There Goes My Everything” is more than just a country song; it’s a poignant exploration of the human experience. Its simple melody and heartfelt lyrics hold the power to move and inspire, reminding us of the fragility of love and the resilience of the human spirit. I encourage everyone to listen to this timeless classic, perhaps starting with Elvis Presley’s iconic rendition, and discover the depth of emotion it holds.

Video

Lyrics

There goes my only possession
There goes my everything
I hear footsteps slowly walking
As they gently walk across a lonely floor
And a voice is softly saying
Darling, this will be goodbye forevermore
There goes my reason for living
There goes the one of my dreams
There goes my only possession
There goes my everything
As my memory turns back the pages
I can see the happy tears we had before
Now the love that kept this old heart beating
Has been shattered by the closing of a door
There goes my reason for living
There goes the one of my dreams
There goes my only possession
There goes my everything

Related Post

Country Music

In Muskogee, Oklahoma, there’s a pawn and guitar repair shop sandwiched between a laundromat and a lawyer’s office. It’s called “Gus’s Strings & Stories.” Inside, the air is thick with the smell of pine, fretboard oil, and old tube amplifiers. Gus, the owner, is a quiet man with hands calloused from thousands of hours of soldering wires and adjusting frets. On the walls, instead of flashy guitars, are the broken ones. One with a snapped neck. One with a hole where its previous owner punched it. Next to each is a short, handwritten story of how it was “saved.” The shop’s rule is etched on a small brass plaque on the counter: “Lie to your guitar, it’ll lie right back.” One day, a young man came in, wanting to sell his father’s acoustic guitar. “I need the money,” he said, eyes fixed on the floor. Gus took the guitar. He didn’t check the brand. He checked the pick marks near the soundhole. He looked at the wear on the G fret. He gently plucked a string. Then he handed it back to the boy. “This guitar has played ‘Sing Me Back Home’ one too many times,” Gus said. “It doesn’t belong in a pawnshop. It belongs at a campfire. Go home, son.” The young man looked up, confused. “But I need…” “No,” Gus interrupted, pointing to the etching. “You don’t need the money. You need to play for your father. Don’t lie to the guitar. Merle wouldn’t.” The young man stood there for a moment, then clutched the guitar and walked out the door. Gus nodded, returning to his work.

Country Music

There are quiet moments that are more precious than a thousand words. 💖 Looking at this picture of the legend Kris and his wife Lisa, what do you feel? I see a love that has spanned a lifetime, transcended the spotlight and the tests of time. The tight embrace, Lisa’s radiant smile as she leans on him, and Kris’s gentle eyes… it all tells a story of deep affection. Are they celebrating a special occasion, or is this simply a cozy evening, cherishing every moment together? Behind this simple snapshot, there must be a secret to the kind of happiness we all search for.

Country Music

It was an unusually cold night in Austin. Shooter stood backstage, ready to go on, but he couldn’t stop shivering. The stage manager saw this, hurried to the dressing room, and brought back an old, faded leather jacket. “This… this was his,” the manager said. “It’s been hanging here since the last time he played.” Shooter slipped his arms in. The leather was stiff and cold, but as he zipped it up, he caught the scent of old stage smoke and a faint, familiar smell of tobacco. He walked out onto the stage, and the lights hit him. The shivering was gone. The jacket felt heavy on his shoulders, not from the weight of the leather, but from the weight of the songs it had seen. That night, he played like a giant.

You Missed

Country Music

In Muskogee, Oklahoma, there’s a pawn and guitar repair shop sandwiched between a laundromat and a lawyer’s office. It’s called “Gus’s Strings & Stories.” Inside, the air is thick with the smell of pine, fretboard oil, and old tube amplifiers. Gus, the owner, is a quiet man with hands calloused from thousands of hours of soldering wires and adjusting frets. On the walls, instead of flashy guitars, are the broken ones. One with a snapped neck. One with a hole where its previous owner punched it. Next to each is a short, handwritten story of how it was “saved.” The shop’s rule is etched on a small brass plaque on the counter: “Lie to your guitar, it’ll lie right back.” One day, a young man came in, wanting to sell his father’s acoustic guitar. “I need the money,” he said, eyes fixed on the floor. Gus took the guitar. He didn’t check the brand. He checked the pick marks near the soundhole. He looked at the wear on the G fret. He gently plucked a string. Then he handed it back to the boy. “This guitar has played ‘Sing Me Back Home’ one too many times,” Gus said. “It doesn’t belong in a pawnshop. It belongs at a campfire. Go home, son.” The young man looked up, confused. “But I need…” “No,” Gus interrupted, pointing to the etching. “You don’t need the money. You need to play for your father. Don’t lie to the guitar. Merle wouldn’t.” The young man stood there for a moment, then clutched the guitar and walked out the door. Gus nodded, returning to his work.

Country Music

There are quiet moments that are more precious than a thousand words. 💖 Looking at this picture of the legend Kris and his wife Lisa, what do you feel? I see a love that has spanned a lifetime, transcended the spotlight and the tests of time. The tight embrace, Lisa’s radiant smile as she leans on him, and Kris’s gentle eyes… it all tells a story of deep affection. Are they celebrating a special occasion, or is this simply a cozy evening, cherishing every moment together? Behind this simple snapshot, there must be a secret to the kind of happiness we all search for.

Country Music

It was an unusually cold night in Austin. Shooter stood backstage, ready to go on, but he couldn’t stop shivering. The stage manager saw this, hurried to the dressing room, and brought back an old, faded leather jacket. “This… this was his,” the manager said. “It’s been hanging here since the last time he played.” Shooter slipped his arms in. The leather was stiff and cold, but as he zipped it up, he caught the scent of old stage smoke and a faint, familiar smell of tobacco. He walked out onto the stage, and the lights hit him. The shivering was gone. The jacket felt heavy on his shoulders, not from the weight of the leather, but from the weight of the songs it had seen. That night, he played like a giant.

Country Music

During a show in Alabama, right in the middle of the band’s performance, George Jones suddenly stopped singing. He looked down at the audience, where a middle-aged man was holding a sign that read, “Dad loved ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today.’” George set his microphone down, stepped toward the edge of the stage, and softly said, “Then let’s sing it for him.” The entire room fell silent. When he reached the final line, the man broke down in tears. George didn’t say another word — he simply nodded. It was no longer a concert. It was a farewell.