# Songs about encounters with ex-lovers, or wistful songs about old flames **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 15, 2007, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689 "2007-08-15T14:03:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![denquixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/21 "2007-08-15T19:09:04Z")
“Lovin’ you again” by Emmylou Harris ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/22 "2007-08-15T19:13:12Z")
**Don Henley** , [The Heart of the Matter](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/don+henley/the+heart+of+the+matter_20042042.html) _I got the call today, I didn’t want to hear, But I knew that it would come An old true friend of ours, talking on the phone – She said you’d found someone… What are these voices outside love’s open door, That make us throw off our contentment And beg for something more? … I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter But everything changes, and my friends seem to scatter But I think it’s about – forgiveness Forgiveness Even if you don’t love me any more_ ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/23 "2007-08-15T19:21:56Z")
_She Thinks I Still Care_ by **George Jones** Just because I ask a friend about her And just because I spoke her name somewhere Just because I saw her then went all to pieces She thinks I still care She thinks I still care ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/24 "2007-08-15T19:22:21Z")
\*\*Lips of an Angel \*\* by Hinder _Well my girl’s in the next room Sometimes I wish she was you I guess we never really moved on It’s really good to hear your voice say my name It sounds so sweet Coming from the lips of an angel Hearing those words it makes me weak_ ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/25 "2007-08-15T19:22:54Z")
How about [Strawberry Wine](http://www.lyrics007.com/Deana%20Carter%20Lyrics/Strawberry%20Wine%20Lyrics.html) I still remember when thirty was old My biggest fear was September when he had to go A few cards and letters and one long distance call We drifted away like the leaves in the fall But year after year I come back to this place Just to remember the taste ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/26 "2007-08-15T19:25:10Z")
[QUOTE=JThunder] _Don’t Cry, Joni_ by Conway Twitty [/QUOTE] You know, Conway Twitty had several songs on this theme. Also: [Fifteen Years Ago](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjYPcsrYvVE) [Hello Darlin’](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP7zG5zxGL8) ---
**Author:** ![bellybean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@bellybean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bellybean)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/27 "2007-08-15T19:28:37Z")
_My Ex-Lover Is Dead_ by Stars: God, that was strange to see you again Introduced by a friend of a friend Smiled and said ‘yes I think we’ve met before’ In that instant it started to pour, Captured a taxi despite all the rain We drove in silence across Pont Champlain And all of the time you thought I was sad I was trying to remember your name… It is one of my favourite songs ever. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/28 "2007-08-15T19:30:55Z")
Still one of my favorite schmaltzy songs, “I Go Crazy” by Paul Davis: “Hello girl, it’s been awhile…” I dare you not to finish the lyric. Then there’s “I’ll be There” which was made a bit ridiculous by having the pint size Michael Jackson singing the lead. Just look over your shoulder honey! ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/29 "2007-08-15T19:34:11Z")
Trisha Yearwood’s [The Song Remember’s When](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/t/trisha+yearwood/the+song+remembers+when_20140871.html): \*I guess something must have happened And we must have said goodbye And my heart must have been broken Though I can’t recall just why . . . But for all the miles between us And for all the time that’s passed You would think I haven’t gotten very far And I hope my hasty heart Will forgive me just this once If I stop to wonder how on earth you are . . . .\* Also by TY, [On A Bus To St. Cloud](http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/yearwood-trisha/on-a-bus-to-st-cloud-9992.html): \*We were just gettin’ to the good part Just gettin’ past the mystery And it’s just like you, oh it’s just like you To disagree . . . . And you chase me like a shadow And you haunt me like a ghost And I hate you some, and I love you some But I miss you most . . . .\* ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/30 "2007-08-15T19:38:34Z")
[and Still](http://www.lyrics007.com/Reba%20Mcentire%20Lyrics/And%20Still%20Lyrics.html) by Reba McEntire and not quite the same thing, but The Song Remembers When by Trisha Yearwood ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/31 "2007-08-15T19:42:48Z")
Not an encounter, but a wistful remembrance: [The Best of Everything (YouTube clip)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KsmSfcIDC8) - **Tom Petty**. Sample lyric: \*She probably works in a restaurant Thats what her momma did But I dont know if she ever really Could put up with it Or maybe she sings in a nightclub Cause sometimes she used to sing But I dont know if it ever Amounted to anything But listen honey, Wherever you are tonight, I wish you the best of everything, in the world And I hope you found Whatever you were looking for\* ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/32 "2007-08-15T20:08:36Z")
“Goodbye” by Steve Earle is about as wistful as they come: “I remember holdin’ on to you All them long and lonely nights I put you through Somewhere in there I’m sure I made you cry But I can’t remember if we said goodbye” Full lyrics [here](http://steveearle.net/lyrics/ly-train.php#Goodbye). ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/33 "2007-08-15T20:16:31Z")
[QUOTE=Labdad] “Goodbye” by Steve Earle is about as wistful as they come [/QUOTE] That’s a _great_ one, **Labdad**. [There’s a really nice duet of “Goodbye” on YouTube (Steve Earle with Emmylou Harris)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjTSRJLn15k). ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/34 "2007-08-15T20:23:42Z")
The wist is only partial, at best, but how about ‘You’re So Vain’? ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/35 "2007-08-15T20:25:04Z")
Cris Cagle, [Look at What I’ve Done](http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/chris_cagle_lyrics_4952/chris_cagle_lyrics_16256/look_at_what_ive_done_lyrics_187998.html). ## I saw it in her eyes When I was sayin’ goodbye That girl, she ain’t gonna be alright ‘Cause I could tell She’d be goin’ through a livin’ hell And I wouldn’t be there by her side I walked up and said hello She said, “it’s good to see ya But hey, I’ve gotta go” Look at what I’ve done to her Look at how I made her feel She’s standin’ tall, she’s got it all Got the world at her heels And look at what it’s done to me Look at how it makes me hurt If I could go back now I swear somehow I’d find a way to make it work Ain’t life funny Now I’m the one alone Look at what I’ve done to me She’s gone ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/36 "2007-08-15T20:29:10Z")
Well a few obvious ones that no one mentioned: James Blunt - Beautiful There’s that song they play every Christmas by someone who sounds like Dan Fogelberg. And I’m pretty sure that Billy Joel’s Scenes from an Italian Restaurant is about two old flames meeting in an Italian restuarant who are either discussing their old friends Brenda and Eddie or are Brenda and Eddie themselves. ---
**Author:** ![seosamh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@seosamh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seosamh)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/37 "2007-08-15T20:38:20Z")
The wondrous, Beatleseque “It’s Too Bad” by The Jam (on their 1978 album “All Mod Cons”) “Same old feeling everytime I see you and every avenue I walk I’m behind you your back is turned and your eyes are closed girl you move in circles that are out of my reach now” etc Always makes me shudder. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/38 "2007-08-15T20:44:04Z")
How could I possibly have forgotten [Pictures of You, by the Cure](http://www.lyrics007.com/The%20Cure%20Lyrics/Pictures%20of%20You%20Lyrics.html)? If only I’d thought of the right words I could have held on to your heart. If only I’d thought of the right words I wouldn’t be breaking apart all my pictures of you ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/39 "2007-08-15T21:00:52Z")
For me, I like \*Sixteen Down \* by the Jayhawk’s or \*Water’s Edge \* by Seven Mary Three. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689/40 "2007-08-15T21:10:02Z")
Crying by Roy Orbison. > [@](#): > > I was all right > For a while > I could smile for a while > But I saw you last night > You held my hand so tight > As you stopped to say hello > Though you wished me well > You couldn’t tell > That I’ve been cry-y-ying, over you… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-encounters-with-ex-lovers-or-wistful-songs-about-old-flames/415689.md?page=3)