That's What It's Like To Be Lonesome

Dave Dudley · Other Songs - Dave Dudley

The streets are dark and empty and you walk them all alone

You think about your love affair and wonder what went wrong

You go to bed each night and pray you'll never see the dawn

Afraid of each tomorrow with its heartless cold unknown

And that's what it's like to be lonesome

With a heart of broken love has taught to cry

And that's what it's like to be lonesome

I know 'cause I'm a mighty lonesome guy

You search to find a tavern where the music's playing loud

You try to lose your heartache in the laughter of the crowd

But the happy couples make you think of things that might have been

Then you'll have to fight the teardrops 'till you're by yourself again

And that's what it's like to be lonesome

With a heart of broken love has taught to cry

And that's what it's like to be lonesome

I know 'cause I'm a mighty lonesome guy

That's What It's Like To Be Lonesome

Dave Dudley remains a defining figure in country music, best known for his pioneering work in the trucker subgenre. While he achieved massive commercial success with anthems celebrating the open road, his catalogue also contains poignant reflections on solitude and heartache. That's What It's Like To Be Lonesome stands as a testament to Dudley's ability to convey deep emotion within the traditional country framework. The recording captures the melancholic atmosphere often found in his work, balancing the rugged exterior of the working man with a vulnerable interior life. This track contributes to a broader discography that helped shape the sound of mid-century country, offering listeners a glimpse into the personal struggles that often accompanied the celebrated lifestyle of the professional driver.