Even though it's just vocals and piano, which is what makes this song so personal, this is a straight up country song. The chord progression is a standard heard in hundreds of other country songs, and the lyrics are also in that tears-in-your-beer vein.
More than that, I think the title that is repeated throughout the song was taken from a 1993 Dwight Yoakam song: 'I Ain't That Lonely Yet,' which is not only the same phrase but also sung very similarly by Yoakam.
Jack makes his lyrics more opaque and mystifies their meaning by introducing some unexpected and ambiguous themes (like the hint at a possible interpretation involving incest). (I think superdam pretty much nailed it on the head with his take on the meaning.) What really makes this song imo is the sparse arrangement and emotional performance (esp. in vocals).
Even though it's just vocals and piano, which is what makes this song so personal, this is a straight up country song. The chord progression is a standard heard in hundreds of other country songs, and the lyrics are also in that tears-in-your-beer vein.
More than that, I think the title that is repeated throughout the song was taken from a 1993 Dwight Yoakam song: 'I Ain't That Lonely Yet,' which is not only the same phrase but also sung very similarly by Yoakam.
Jack makes his lyrics more opaque and mystifies their meaning by introducing some unexpected and ambiguous themes (like the hint at a possible interpretation involving incest). (I think superdam pretty much nailed it on the head with his take on the meaning.) What really makes this song imo is the sparse arrangement and emotional performance (esp. in vocals).