This is the first letter that I wrote back home to mom and daddy
A few days after I'd moved to Nashville
June 2nd 1964 Nashville Tennesee
Dear mom and daddy I hope this letter finds everybody well and happy
As for me I'm fine I guess I'm just a little lonesome and a whole lot homesick
I got to Nashville OK and I thought I'd better write and let you know
Cause I knew you'd be worried about me
And I don't let you know to worried about me Cause I'm gonna be alright
Once I get settled and used to bein' away from home
I didn't realize how much I loved you and all them noisy kids until I left
And I didn't reaize how hard it was to eave home eiter
Till I started to leave and everybody started cryin' includin' me
I cried almost all the way to Nashville
And I wanted to turn around a few times and come back
But you know how bad I've always wanted to go to Nashville
And be a singer and songwriter
And I believe that if I try long enough and hard enough that someday I'll make it
Don't worry about tryin' to send me any money or anything
Cause I've got a job singin' on the early morning television show
Here called the Eddie Hill Show
And a couple of folks already told me that they might record a couple of my songs
So I'll be makin' enough money to get by
And I don't want you to worryin' about me bein' hungry or anything
And Nashville's not exactly what I thought it was gonna be
But I believe I'm gonna like it here once I get used to it
And I don't want you to worryin' about me gettin' in trouble either
Cause I'll be good just like I promised you I would when I left
Well can't think of anything else to say
I guess I'd better close for now and you write me real soon
And tell everybody I said hello and I'm gonna be real anxious to hear from you
Cause I sure miss you and I love you an awful lot
Today I saw her for the first time since she left me
And she said, "I've got a favor to ask of you
And I said, "All right what is it?"
And she said, "You know you always told me
If I ever needed any help, just to ask you and that you'd help me"
And I said, "Yeah, I remember"
And she said, "Well, there's this fellow that I've been going with
And I just found out that he's been slipping around on me
And I thought that maybe if you'd write me a letter
And tell me that you miss me and that you still love me
That he may find it and he might read it
And it might make him jealous and I might not lose him
And I said, "Okay, I'll write you the letter"
Dear sweetheart, just a line to let you know
That I still think about you and I still love you so
I remember your kisses and every time you held me tight
But most of all I remember the good times that we had each night
Dear sweetheart, if you're lonely just let me know
For you're still my one and only and I still love you so
I'm gonna close for now, sweetheart, and try to go on without you
But don't forget I'll always love you no matter what you do.
So now I've written the letter the way you've asked me to
And I hope it makes him jealous the way you want it to
For I've told you that I still love you and I wanna be with you
Today I saw her for the first time since she left me
And she said, ?I got a favor to ask of you?
And I said, ?All right, what is it??
And she said, ?You know you always told me
If I ever needed any help, just to ask you and you'd help me?
And I said, ?Yeah, I remember? and she said
?Well, there's this fellow that I've been going with
And I just found out that he's been slipping around on me
And I thought that maybe if you'd write me a letter"
"And tell me that you miss me and that you still love me
That he might find it and it might read it
And it might make him jealous and I might not lose it?
And I said, ?Okay, I'll write you the letter?
Dear sweetheart, just a line to let you know
That I still think about you and I still love you so
I remember your kisses and every time you held me tight
But most of all, I remember the good times that we had each night
Dear sweetheart, if you're lonely, just let me know
For you're still my one and only and I still love you so
I'm gonna close for now, sweetheart and try to go on without you
But don't forget, I'll always love you no matter what you do
So, now I've written the letter the way you've asked me to
And I hope it makes him jealous the way you want it to
For I've told you that I still love you and I wanna be with you
But you know sweetheart the saddest part
Got to move
Into a cellar
Just to feel
A little bit loose
Got to slip
From the sky
My hands are nervous
I'll keep a place
Up in the sky
For you to live
Until you die
Until you die
Until you die
On the main floor
A level head
You have one letter left to send
With no beginning and no end
You saw them in the park, the laughter in the dark
Oh no, how can you face him and pretend?
So now, you thank him carefully, oh no
'Cause that's the way he's going to be, oh no
I hope you find some reason to be free
There is no sunshine in your eyes
You make no sound and yet you cry
It's not the double cross, you feel the love you lost
Oh no, this letter has to say goodbye
So now, you thank him carefully, oh no
'Cause that's the way he's going to be, oh no
I hope you find some reason to be free
You saw them in the park, the laughter in the dark
Oh no, how can you face him and pretend?
So now, you thank him carefully, oh no
'Cause that's the way he's going to be, oh no
[John Mayer:]
I'm riding in truth
Catch you up on places I, ve been
[W.A.L.E.:]
To whom it may concern
I refuse to never being on this earth
I am breathing for a purpose
I want to be the centerpiece of my entire culture
And I, ve been thinking about you
Cause you, ve done such, by doing such
I get a pen a paper, write you a letter
Cause you are appriciated, I'm dreamin to be great
While working on my mistakes, You promised that, s changed
I'm doing the same thing
Dear Mr. Obama I'm hoping this letter reaches you in good spirits
Lord knows you, ve been busy, but I just wanna know
I I speak could you listen, we live in the same city
I was hoping I could to visit ya
If not, I'm hoping this letter could convey how I'm feeling
An you could find interest
First off congratulations on your win
It, s time for some change to commence
I got a question for you mayor
From an african american stance,
Are we expecting too much from your four year plan
And what about the rappers that happen to act
Like a black president gives us the right to be assholes
You know they say your name for attention
But little to no interest after election
Or the too cheap t-shirt sellers
Are making revenue off a name we cherish
As I end this letter, one more thing
I hope you understand your impact on our race
Sincerely Wale, PSA,
I ain, t trying to nit pick but you can stick the rest of the way
[John Mayer:]
I'm riding in truth
Catch you up on places I, ve been
You have this letter probably got excited
But there, s nothin that, s inside
[W.A.L.E.:]
To whom it may concern
I refuse to never being on this earth
I am breathing for a purpose
I want to be the centerpiece of my entire culture
And I, ve been thinking about you
Cause you, ve done such, by doing such
I get a pen a paper, write you a letter
Cause you are appriciated, Like Dear Mama
The reason I work hard, like even my favorite rapper, he was bigger than a artist
Dear Pac I was 12 when they gunned you
Wish you was around now to see what I, ve become
You, ve never had a son in the physical or literal
But years later there are still a bunch of little yous
Never seen you was lyrical, But more or less the voice that the whole culture listens too
Speaking the truth like only you can do
It, s only right we lose greatness at it, s pinacle
I got a question for ya, Are still mad at biggie, are you still mad dre
And are you happy with the way your legacy portrayed
I'm trying to do for D.C. what you did for L.A.
But music today is getting lame for us
They chasing fame rather than making a change for us
They stop being honest, they stop being honest,
They want their club shit, ain't no more dear mamas
And you don, t know me, but knowing you through music
Is going to change the world in the future, truly
Yours Wale, PSA, how long will they mourn you forever in a day
[John Mayer:]
I'm riding in truth,
Catch you up on places I, ve been
You have this letter probably got excited
But there, s nothin that, s inside
[Wale:]
So I'm writing you this letter
I can only hope you read it if you get it
Hoping if you get it, you will never forget it
You will never forget it, You will never forget it
So I'm writing you this letter
I can only hope you read it if you get it
Hoping if you get it, you will never forget it
You will never forget it, You will never forget it
[John Mayer:]
I'm riding in truth,
Catch you up on places I, ve been
You have this letter, probably got excited
But there, s nothin that, s inside it
I'm riding in truth,
Catch you up on places I, ve been
You have this letter, probably got excited
Give me a ticket for an airplane I ain't got a time to take a fast train
Lonely days're gone I'm a goin' home my baby just wrote me a letter
I don't care how much money that I gotta spend I got to get back to my baby again
Lonely days're gone I'm a goin' home my baby just wrote me a letter
She wrote me a letter said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen Mister can't you see I've got to get back to my baby once more
Give me a ticket for an airplane...
My baby just wrote me a letter
She wrote me a letter...
Now listen to me give me a ticket for an airplane...
My baby just wrote me a letter
Yeah that's her
Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
All the broken hearts
And the unpaid dues
What you did to me
What I did to you
I ain't mad at you, boo
So what we gonna do
I just seen you out with your new man
It's lookin' kind of happy
I'm feelin' like somebody just slapped me
My gut's in a knot
My temp's gettin' hot
I wanna make that man bleed
And wear this speed knot
'Cause he ain't got what we had
And it makes me kind of mad
I hurt my one true love
Just like my dad
And it's kinda sad
'Cause now my shit's together
No need for umbrellas
I can see the stormy weather
I'm goin' outside into the rain
Like Keith Sweat
'Cause I can't house this pain
We was workin' for years
Now I'm jerkin' these tears
From my lips to God's ears, girl
I did you wrong
So I'm makin' this song
To let you know how I feel
Before I'm keepin' it real
May keep my heart concealed
And now I'm on the side
Just patiently waitin'
Watchin' on you when the time for updatin'I can't hide from the truth
I know the puddin's in the proof
So I stand convicted like all your friends predicted
But I'd think you'd be surprised
On how this ends brothers
We went from lovers to friends
We'll go from friends to lovers
So if that man make you smile
I guess that I'll
Just accept it
And respect it
I'll hit you with this song
And let you think about it
Then I'll just leave you alone
Give me a ticket for an airplane
'Cause I ain't got a time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a going home
My baby just wrote me a letter
I don't care how much money I got to spend
'Cause I got to get back to my baby again
Lonely days are gone, I'm a going home
My baby just wrote me a letter
Well, he wrote me a letter
Said, he couldn't live without me no more
Hey listen Mister, can't you see
I've got to get back to my baby once more?
Give me a ticket for an airplane
'Cause I ain't got a time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a going home
My baby just wrote me a letter
Well, he wrote me a letter
Said, he couldn't live without me no more
Hey listen Mister, can't you see
I've got to get back to my baby once more?
My baby just wrote me a letter
Yeah
You know what
I, I just...
I'm so frustrated right now
I, I can't talk no more, I just
Let me, let me just write you this letter
Alright
Girl you got my mind so messed up
I don't know what to do
I'm sitting here so frustrated
And it's all because of you
And normally I try not to let what you do get to me
So before I go and let my anger get the best of me
Chorus
I'm writing you this letter, letter
Cause if I don't then I'm gonna do something that I'll regret
I'm writing you this letter, letter
Cause in my mind I'm imagining knocking you off this bed
I'm writing you this letter baby
Here's the only thing left for me to do
Cause my life is stuck on pause
And I don't know what else to do
And my mind hates your guts
But my heart's still so in love with you
Today was bout the first time
I felt like I could strangle you
And I don't know where that came from
Cause I ain't that type of dude
All my niggas say I should quit giving you the time of day
Cause they seen me unhappy
But every time I try to leave you
Somehow you get back with me
Chorus
I'm writing you this letter, letter
Cause if I don't then I'm gonna do something that I'll regret
I'm writing you this letter, letter
Before I end up behind bars for cracking your head
I'm writing you this letter baby
Here's the only thing for me to do
Cause my life is stuck on pause
And I don't know what else to do
Cause my mind hates your guts
But my heart's still so in love with you
Yeah yeah yeah
Ok baby
This is hard enough for me to do
But I, I gotta leave you
It's just I can't keep going on like this
Maybe you'll be happy
Maybe you'll find somebody else
Maybe I'll be happy
But I just can't do this no more with you
Love like we use to
Chorus
Writing you this letter, letter
Writing you this letter, letter
Writing you this letter, letter
Writing you this
Said I'm writing you this
Said I'm writing you this letter, letter
Said I'm writing you, writing you,
Writing you, writing you
Now my life's still stuck on pause
And I don't know what else to do
Cause my mind hates your guts
But my heart's still so in love with you
There's your letter
There's you on my floor
There's you in the corner
There's me, wondering what this is for
Have you finally met her
Is it to say you wish for me only the best
I hope you never get her
I hope it's saying how you know now there's nothing left
I read your letter
I read it five times now
But I still don't get it
All this shit about memory and you and me
And the way it used to be
And how you half regret it
And how it feels so good to get it off your chest
I wish I never read it
Makes me wish I was the one who left
Oh I need a letter
Ou I need a letter
I need a letter
But not that kind
I don't need a letter to help me remember
What is not
What was never mine
Oh I need a letter
Ou I need a letter
I need a letter
But not that kind
I need a letter oohoooh
I need a letter oohoooh
Still got your letter
It's sweating in my hands
With a note that says, âcome get herâ
She was never in love again
She's waiting in line again
Oh I need a letter
Ou I need a letter
I need a letter
But not that kind
You need a letter to help you forget her
Cleanse your conscious
Let you be blind
Oh you need a letter (repeat)
Ou you need a letter
You need a letter
But not that kind
Back there in your room, while you were gone
I found the pages that she wrote to you
My heart just froze, but I couldn't stop myself
I see what jealously can do
I see now it's true, well there has been somebody
Who's had a real hold on you
And here in this bed, I guess you must have held her
How strange I never knew
She wrote that you said
You needed her to face the world
I wish that it could all just be erased
I can't believe she could take my place
As you came up the stairs
You asked "Are you all right?"
"I'd better go" was all I said
But there in your room I saw something that
I really wish I never read
I found a letter in an old book,
I just bought from a second-hand shop.
It was pressed between two pages near the end,
And I read those secrets somebody never got.
She wrote about love,
She wrote about cheating.
She wrote about his wife, his kids:
An' she wrote about leavin'.
I took the letter to an old man on Maple Street.
His smile was bitter sweet.
As he held the tide of memories in his hands,
He finally knew the reason he never saw her again.
He read about love,
He read about cheating.
He read about his wife, his kids:
An' he read about leavin'.
As he folded the letter,
He talked about the mistakes he'd made in his younger days.
Though he never meant to hurt her, she knew,
He'd do what he had to.
So she moved away.
And by the look in his eyes,
I knew that that love was still alive.
Hidden between the lines of the letter.
Oh, an' she wrote about love,
She wrote about cheating.
She wrote about his wife, his kids:
An' she wrote about leavin'.
In the letter.
Here is the letter that gives
My reasons we can't be together
You know that I don't want to hurt you
I just think it's for the better
So take your time 'cause it's alright
I'm finally leaving
Just know I've thought all about it
And written down all of my reasons
I just find, there's things you were used to
That I never could do
I did try
But that's not how I live
I don't care anymore
If you think that I was in the wrong
Sometimes things don't work out
You know that it's time you moved on
Somewhere between nice to meet you
And we're better apart
I lost the will to see you
The way I did at the start
I just find, there's things you were used to
That I never could do
I did try
I take it all to heart
Don't point the finger, choose the winner, hold your own
It's never been always
Who's the liar? I'm the coward, the letter read like this
Of all the sinners I walk before
I can't deny
Somehow you're seeing it
So you're the one who took the fall
And it's bringing us together, together
Don't ask me why
Somehow I'm seeing blue
And I'm breaking after all
This could last forever, forever
The choice has always been
To take advantage ride it to the top
Still I'm caught again
I see this coming, see this coming through
Of all the sinners I walk before
I can't deny
Somehow you're seeing it
So you're the one who took the fall
And it's bringing us together, together
Don't ask me why
Some how I'm seeing blue
And I'm breaking after all
If this could last forever, forever
We'll see if I start coming clean
You'll see that I'm still missing
I can't deny
Somehow you're seeing it
So you're the one who took the fall
And it's bringing us together, together
Don't ask me why
Somehow I'm seeing blue
And I'm breaking after all
If this could last forever, forever
I can't deny
Somehow you're seeing it
So you're the one who took the fall
And it's bringing us together, together
Don't ask me why
Somehow I'm seeing blue
And I'm breaking after all
I got your letter, but the willingness wore out,
And then penmanship was beautiful at best.
Your words were honest,
But the meanings raised a doubt
And the sorrow to the ground
Breathe in, breathe out
You're taking in the good,
You're living with the bad
But the latter seems to be more
Than it ever has before
And in between the sorrow of self-infliction
And your blood cells are burning to break free
And I think I might let them go
A pretty vision to follow through
You know it's hot and we can't take it
It doesn't look like we would make it,
So let's just forget,
You know it's hot and we can't take it
It doesn't look like we would make it,
So let's just forget
You're hearing one thing, it's always the same,
But the trick is holding on
Remember that glare,
The one before everything comes clear
And it's harder every day to think of what to say
But the trick is holding on
And the time is making everything seem hotter
And there's no use holding on
And every day is more like science fiction(?)
And the past comes into play
A life with less emotion
And I know we both let them go
A pretty vision to follow through
You know it's hot and we can't take it
It doesn't look like we would make it,
So let's just forget.
You know it's hot and we can't take it
It doesn't look like we would make it,
write another song about a sister
reminisce about the time that she was far from gone
yeah i think i’m really gonna miss her
pessimism never let it carry on for too long
she’s gone…
i can’t stand the separation that’s been running in my head
i can’t stand the lack of contact, i’ve been feeling it
letter another one letter another one
take and put this message in a song and then deliver it, take my letter!
what about a brother left without one
what about another lonely feeling song, gone all wrong
cite a paragraph about destruction
quote a passage from a book i’m working on…so long
he’s gone-
read and learn a lesson or become another worthless piece of shit
turn and walk away cold shoulder can you feel it yet
letter another one letter another one
taking all the torture, it’s a priceless piece of membership
ink it in your chest until you can’t remember to take my letter!
we’ll consider it, we’ll give it more one more try
one more turn - my lifeline, think i’ll miss them, oh please don’t cry
guess i’ll leave them with a dedicated song
guess i’ll get it wrong - it remains the last longest goodbye
so long-
goodbye to all the divey bars we’re used to hanging in
goodbye to you, this message, hope you’re reading it
letter another one letter another one
goodbye to all the shows, i hope it’s worth remembering
goodbye to you and all the songs i haven’t written until you
I got your letter, but the willingness wore out,
And then penmanship was beautiful at best.
Your words were honest,
But the meanings raised a doubt
And the sorrow to the ground
Breathe in, breathe out
You're taking in the good,
You're living with the bad
But the latter seems to be more
Than it ever has before
And in between the sorrow of self-infliction
And your blood cells are burning to break free
And I think I might let them go
A pretty vision to follow through
You know it's hot and we can't take it
It doesn't look like we would make it,
So let's just forget,
You know it's hot and we can't take it
It doesn't look like we would make it,
So let's just forget
You're hearing one thing, it's always the same,
But the trick is holding on
Remember that glare,
The one before everything comes clear
And it's harder every day to think of what to say
But the trick is holding on
And the time is making everything seem hotter
And there's no use holding on
And every day is more like science fiction(?)
And the past comes into play
A life with less emotion
And I know we both let them go
A pretty vision to follow through
You know it's hot and we can't take it
It doesn't look like we would make it,
So let's just forget.
You know it's hot and we can't take it
It doesn't look like we would make it,
So let's just forget.
to be crowned king of a kingdom of cowards
could be a nightmare that drains you for hours.
to run through life with a social disease gone sour.
could make you feel like you're fuling a world with now power.
over yourself.
i'll write myself this letter.
and set the answers free.
explain the things we did
it's black and white to me.
and in time we'll figure out what it is
we'll be dedicated or separated and in the end you'll see.
all this time i bit my toongure and you still heard your cires.
body language is a dialect that you cant miss.
so i'm diving deeper and falling faster in my own abyss.
all this time.
and its killing me.
and its killing me.
i'll write myself this letter.
and set the answeres free.
explain the things we did
its black and white to me.
and in time we'll figure out what it is we'll be.
dedicated or separated and in the end you'll see.
the ink in my pen is for all the thieves.
please dont underestimat all my sincerity.
amidst this love and hate you kept me pure and clean
and blessed us with a gift heavier than gravity.
and its killing me and its killing me.
and its killing me.
i'll write myself this letter.
and set the answers free.
explain the things we did.
it's black and white to me.
and in time we'll figure out what it is we'll be dedicated to seperated
Touch me as if you meant it
I burned the letter that you sent
Your presence only amplifies
The hatred i've been feeling
Betray me cause it's all you know
Layers of trust erode when lies are told
It's so difficult to decide
When to get away
I'm leaving
So save your lies for the next letter
I'm gone
I've never felt better
Touch me as if you liked it
I burned the letter that you sent
Your words are fuel for the fire
Your lies always inspire
I'm leaving
So save your lies for your next letter
I'm gone
Time the walk around the table and chairs
I'm seeing nothing whatever was there
Obsession is hard enough
I know the reasons that she doesn't see
Well it's true that I'd fall at her feet
But she don't wanna know
She don't wanna know
I had to write to ask for some way I could tell
So pointless in living an anonymous spell
If you saw her you'd know how I felt
I'm owning up I can't give enough
To be free I'd have to swear my love
But she don't wanna know
She don't wanna know
She don't wanna know
She don't want to know
I'm not the one to make these
Words seem like they're enough
If you did then she'd not mistake me
For nothing, I'm nobody, not no one
I know the reasons that she doesn't see
Well she don't wanna know
She don't wanna know
I'm not the one to take these
Words to the one that I love
If you did then she'd not mistake me
For nothing, I'm nobody, not no one
Oh oh woah woah
Oh oh woah woah
Oh oh woah woah
Yeah eh yeah eh yeah
Oh oh woah
Oh oh woah woah
Girl, I couldn't figure out the words to say
So I had to put it in a letter, Nephu
It's unbelievable, all the things I'll do,
And you still don't see, your man tryna open up to you,
I'm not looking at, all those things in the past
I have pushed them back, but you still act like I don't wanna
Pay more attention to you,
Make time to listen to you,
Make love when time is due,
Wish you could see the truth,
I'm tryin give you a chance,
But baby I don't think you understand...
I had to put it in a letter, that you're my heart
I had to put it in a letter, I never did you wrong
I had to put it in a letter, wanna give you my all
Cause girl we'd be together
I feels like there's no stormy weather
I had to put it in a letter
I'm not that guy that you used to see,
I had to put it in a letter, baby girl that ain't me
I'm tryna give you a chance, but baby I don't think you undertsnad
I had to put it in a letter
Tell me has there ever been a time when I stood you the other way,
Since you gave me that number
And I would of sent you baby
I've proven time and time again your the only one,
I'm talkin about all the things I've done,
Pay full attention to you,
Make time to listen to you,
Make love when time is due, wish you could see the truth
I'm tryna give you a chance, but I don't think you understand,
I had to put it in a letter, that you're my heart
I had to put it in a letter, I never did you wrong
I had to put it in a letter, wanna give you my all
Cause girl we'd be together
I feels like there's no stormy weather
I had to put it in a letter
I'm not that guy that you used to see,
I had to put it in a letter, cause baby that ain't me
I'm tryna give you a chance, but baby I don't think you undertsnad
I had to put it in a letter
Sending this letter express sealing it my very best
You're the only one I need baby please be reading me
Hope it's delivered on time
Cause I think I'll lose my mind
If I can't be with you I don't think I'll see it through
Sending this letter express sealing it my very best
You're the only one I need baby please be reading me
Hope it's delivered on time
Cause I think I'll lose my mind
If I can't be with you I don't think I'll see it through
I had to put it in a letter, that you're my heart
I had to put it in a letter, I never did you wrong
I had to put it in a letter, wanna give you my all
Cause girl we'd be together
I feels like there's no stormy weather
I had to put it in a letter
I'm not that guy that you used to see,
I had to put it in a letter, baby girl that ain't me
I'm tryna give you a chance, but baby I don't think you undertsnad
I had to put it in a letter
Oh oh woah woah
THE LETTER
The Box Tops
- written by Wayne Carson Thompson
- #1 hit for The Box Tops in 1967
- covered by The Arbors in 1969 (#20) and recorded live by Joe Cocker
with Leon Russell and The Shelter People (#7) in 1970.
- these lyrics are as recorded by The Box Tops
Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
I don't care how much money I gotta spend
Got to get back to baby again
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Well, she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway, yeah!
Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Well, she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway, yeah!
Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
 "Pin It")
