Introduction
“The Speed of the Sound of Loneliness” is a song written by John Prine. The song was first released in 1986 as part of his album “German Afternoons”. The song has since been covered by various artists and has become a classic in the world of country music. In this article, we will take a closer look at the lyrics of “The Speed of the Sound of Loneliness” and what they mean.
Verse 1
“You come home late and you come home early
You come home big when you’re feelin’ small
You come home straight and you come home curly
Sometimes you don’t come home at all”
In the first verse of the song, the narrator is describing the unpredictable behavior of their partner. The partner comes home at different times, with varying moods, and sometimes not at all. This behavior can be a source of frustration and loneliness for the narrator.
Chorus
“So the speed of the sound of loneliness
Says I love you so much more than words could ever say”
The chorus of the song is the most memorable part of the lyrics. The narrator is saying that even though they may not be able to express their love in words, the sound of loneliness that they feel is proof of their love.
Verse 2
“You don’t know why and you don’t know when
But you still got your words and you got your friends
Walk along the road and you walk alone
Try to find an end to the end of the phone”
The second verse talks about the feeling of being lost and alone. The narrator doesn’t understand why they feel this way, but they still have their words and friends to help them. However, even with these things, they still feel lonely and try to find connection through the phone.
Chorus
“So the speed of the sound of loneliness
Says I love you so much more than words could ever say”
Verse 3
“There’s a soldier that’s sittin’ in a bar
And he’s lookin’ at a photograph
Of a queen that he might have loved
And a buddy that he might have fought”
The third verse tells a story of a soldier who is sitting in a bar, reminiscing about lost love and lost friendships. This story adds to the theme of loneliness and the idea that love and connection can be fleeting.
Chorus
“So the speed of the sound of loneliness
Says I love you so much more than words could ever say”
Conclusion
“The Speed of the Sound of Loneliness” is a timeless song that speaks to the universal feeling of loneliness. The lyrics are powerful and evoke strong emotions in listeners. The song serves as a reminder that even when we feel alone, our love for others can be heard through the speed of the sound of loneliness.
