Introduction:
Country music legend George Strait released a song titled “You Don’t Know What You’re Missing” in 2013. The song became the twelfth track on his studio album Love Is Everything, which arrived in stores that same year. “You Don’t Know What You’re Missing” stands out as a late-career gem for Strait, showcasing his ability to deliver strong country ballads with his signature smooth vocals and poignant storytelling.
Love Is Everything itself was a critical and commercial success. The album reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and remained there for two weeks. It also peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 chart, showcasing Strait’s enduring popularity across genres. Tony Brown, a frequent collaborator with Strait, served as the album’s producer, bringing his expertise in crafting polished country music to the project.
“You Don’t Know What You’re Missing” wasn’t released as a single, and therefore didn’t climb the singles charts. However, the song has garnered a loyal following among Strait’s fanbase and is considered a highlight of the Love Is Everything album. The track’s lyrics explore themes of regret and lost love, a subject that Strait has addressed effectively throughout his career.
While not one of Strait’s chart-topping hits, “You Don’t Know What You’re Missing” is a powerful song that exemplifies the country music icon’s talent for capturing relatable emotions. The song stands the test of time as a compelling track within Strait’s vast discography. It’s a testament to his songwriting choices and his ability to deliver impactful performances even later in his career.
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Lyrics:
Sittin’ at the bar I overheard a couple guysOne was complainingAbout his life and his wifeAnd everyday thingsSaid, his kids were gettin’ bigAnd gettin’ hard to handleThe other guy was sippin’ whiskeyWasn’t saying a thing
The first guy kept talking for what seemed like foreverSaid, I never have money or timeLike I used toHe went on and on, till the second guy finally sat down his whiskeyLooked him straight in the eye and saidLucky You
You don’t know what it feels like livin’ this lonelyYou don’t know what it sounds like when nobody’s homeYou’ve been talkin’ and man, I’ve been doin’ some listenin’You don’t know what you’re Missing‘Till it’s gone
The second guy said, I used to have all your problemsBut hindsight’s 20/20 and a fool is blindSo, please excuse me if I have to end our conversationAnd forgive me if I can’t sympathize
You don’t know what it feels like livin’ this lonelyYou don’t know what it sounds like when nobody’s homeYou’ve been talkin’ and man, I’ve been doin’ some listenin’You don’t know what you’re missing‘Till it’s goneYou don’t know what you’re missing‘Till it’s gone