If I Cried Every Time You Hurt Me
Jan Howard · Lonely Country [Tower] [1967]
If I cried every time you hurt me
I'd be crying all the time
If I made a scene each time you're mean
We'd be quarrellin' all the time.
But I don't cry and I don't get mad
I try to take the good with the bad
If I cried every time you hurt me
I'd be crying all the time,
--- Instrumental ---
Now and then you say you love me
And I try to believe it's true
Then you turn right around and hurt me
Like I was nothing to you.
But I love you so and I'll stay somehow
My tears won't flow and my head won't bow
If I cried every time you hurt me
I'd be crying all the time.
Oh, I'd be crying all the time...
About If I Cried Every Time You Hurt Me
Jan Howard's "If I Cried Every Time You Hurt Me" stands as a poignant example of her mid-1960s country balladry, capturing the raw vulnerability often found in her discography. Recorded for the album *Lonely Country*, the track exemplifies Howard's ability to blend traditional storytelling with a deeply personal emotional tone, characteristic of the era's heartland sound. Her voice delivers the narrative with a quiet intensity that underscores themes of emotional exhaustion and the quiet toll of relationship pain. As part of her broader catalog of solo and collaborative works, this recording highlights her skill in translating complex feelings into accessible musical language. The song reflects the period's focus on intimate, character-driven narratives rather than dramatic flair, cementing Howard's reputation as a master of the acoustic country ballad. It remains a significant piece in her body of work, showcasing her enduring capacity to evoke empathy through simple yet powerful instrumentation and vocal delivery.