The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
it's been a long time coming
as you shed a lonesome tear
now your in a wonderama
I wonder what your doing here
the flame no longer flickers
you're feeling just like a fool
you keep staring into your liquor
I'm wondering what to do
I don't hardly know you
but I'd be willing to show you
I know a way to make you smile
let me touch you for a while
I'm gonna ruin my black mascara
you're drinking whiskey when it should be wine
you keep on looking in to that mirror
but to me your looking really fine
I don't hardly know you
but I'd be willing to show you
I know a way to make you laugh at that cowgirl as she's walking out your door
I know a way to make you smile
just let me whisper things
you never heard before
just let me touch you baby
just let me touch you for a while
I don't hardly know
but I'd be willing to show you
I know a way to make you smile
It's been a long time
let me touch you for a while
as you shed a lonesome tear
now your in a wonderama
I wonder what your doing here
the flame no longer flickers
you're feeling just like a fool
you keep staring into your liquor
I'm wondering what to do
I don't hardly know you
but I'd be willing to show you
I know a way to make you smile
let me touch you for a while
I'm gonna ruin my black mascara
you're drinking whiskey when it should be wine
you keep on looking in to that mirror
but to me your looking really fine
I don't hardly know you
but I'd be willing to show you
I know a way to make you laugh at that cowgirl as she's walking out your door
I know a way to make you smile
just let me whisper things
you never heard before
just let me touch you baby
just let me touch you for a while
I don't hardly know
but I'd be willing to show you
I know a way to make you smile
It's been a long time
let me touch you for a while
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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The song is about a guy that always "picks the wrong girl". He comes into the bar again and again ALONE because he always ends up that way. She is a bartender and watched him again and again doing this to himself over and over (in the video). She says "You are drinking whiskey when you should be drinking wine" Meaning you are killing pain when the pain shouldn't be there in the first place. People often drink whiskey to kill pain and wine to celebrate or romantically. That is a cliche in all country/bluegrass music. She is saying stop wasting your love and time on "fly by night cowgirls" that keep bringing you down and give me a try for something real.
ok i'm not a huge fan of country but i really like this chick's voice...and its a cute song overall. "i know a way to make you smile..." has to be my favorite line. sometimes there are people you know that all you have to do is think of them...and then you smile. thats when you know you truly care about them. :)
What a beautiful voice, and great musicianship. "So Long, So Wrong" and "New Favorite" are 2 of my favorite albums of all time. Country and bluegrass songs are often times very simple, and looking for a deeper meaning in them can lead you away from the actual meaning that is right there in front of you. Make no mistake about it, she is not talking about making someone smile by thinking about her...it is about a bold and forthright woman who wants to share her desire for pleasure with a man who is apparently in a state where he could really use it........
Somebody finally managed to retrofit blue grass for the 21st Century! Alison Krauss rocks! (Even though she doesn't)
AK is not Country. . .she is BLUEGRASS, there is a difference, believe me! Same feel, but different roots.
I love this song. Anyone who has just listened to it should go on youtube and see it performed live. Seriously, it'll bring it to a whole new level.
"I don't hardly know you", I think, means she doesn't know him very long or very well but she knows enough to know how to make him smile. Some people can do that. It seems to have sexual implications too - I know a way to make you smile.
Alison Krauss didn't actually write it, I forget who did, but it's the same guy who wrote "The Lucky One".
Her band are amazing. Jerry Douglas and Dan Tyminski kick ass. So talented.
I agree with PunkStarr! It's a cute song.
AK DOES Rock! She plays a mean fiddle!!
It's sweet. But what does "I don't hardly know you" means: that she hardly knows him, that she don't know him or that she knows him quite well? It seems a bit double to me. And I don't get the "You're drinking whiskey when it should be wine" - I mean, if you like whiskey more... but OK, if it goes as fast as wine you might get into trouble.
It's really too bad that this has never happened in the history of humanity, because GOD DAMN could I use it! hahaha