Be Careful Who You Love (Arthur's Song)

Written by Harlan Howard



An old guitar picker had run out liquor



So I sat down beside him and bought him a drink



I bought him another and finally some color



Returned to his cheeks as he said with a wink



I worked with Red Foley, knew Hank and ole Lefty



I worked on the Opry back when it was strong



But in showbiz, you know, sometimes it gets slow



So buy us another and I'll sing you a song



Be careful who you love



For love can be untrue



Be careful who you love



Be sure she loves you too



Well, you like that, I see, that's pleasing to me



Son I've wrote hundreds and some you know well



I've wrote 'em and sold 'em, they've bought 'em and stole 'em



Paper is cheap, they're just tunes what the hell



And then he offered to sell me the song he just sung me



I told him that song is a piece of your soul



Keep your song, here's some money



He said "thank you son" and I heard him say as I walked out the door



Be careful who you love



For love can be untrue



Be careful who you love



Be sure she loves you too



Well that was about a year ago, now wouldn't you know



It's a big hit some superstar claims he wrote



He sings it and grins and money rolls in



It's a wonder the lyric don't stick in his throat



And I think of that writer named Arthur and wonder



Just how many children he sold in his time



And how many great men take the gift that God gave 'em



And throw it away on the pretty red wine



Be careful who you love



For love can be untrue



Be careful who you love



Be sure she loves you too



Be careful who you love



For love can be untrue



Be careful who you love



Be sure she loves you too



Be sure she loves you too