Introduction:
Released in 2019 on the album Honky Tonk Time Machine, Sometimes Love is a country music ballad sung by the iconic George Strait. The song stands out in Strait’s vast discography for its poignant look at love and loss, delivered with his signature soulful vocals and backed by a traditional country instrumentation.
Sometimes Love arrived towards the end of a long and successful career for Strait. Nicknamed the “King of Country” for his reign over the genre’s charts and influence on countless artists, Strait had already amassed 61 number one hits and numerous awards by 2019. Honky Tonk Time Machine, the album featuring Sometimes Love, was a departure from some of Strait’s earlier work. While still firmly rooted in country music, the album paid homage to the genre’s classic sounds, a style that Strait helped popularize.
Sometimes Love was written by John Schweers, a prolific songwriter who has penned hits for various country artists. The song itself doesn’t belong to Strait’s most commercially successful releases. It wasn’t released as a single and didn’t climb the Billboard charts. However, Sometimes Love has resonated with fans for its relatable portrayal of love’s complexities. The song explores the bittersweet reality that love can sometimes fade or leave emotional scars, a theme that Strait, known for his often heartfelt lyrics about love and relationships, delivers with his signature authenticity.
Sometimes Love was produced by Chuck Ainlay, a longtime collaborator of Strait’s who has worked on many of the singer’s most successful albums. Ainlay’s production on Sometimes Love complements Strait’s vocals and the song’s message. The instrumentation keeps things simple, with a focus on acoustic guitar and a subtle backing band that allows Strait’s voice to take center stage.
While Sometimes Love might not be one of George Strait’s biggest hits, it serves as a powerful testament to his enduring artistry. The song showcases his ability to connect with listeners through his relatable lyrics and emotive vocals, even later in his career. Sometimes Love is a welcome addition to Strait’s discography and a song that continues to find new listeners appreciative of country music’s ability to explore the complexities of love and life.
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Lyrics:
She was a sometimes loveAn every-now-and-then touchThat momentarilyBrought out the best in meI didn’t think that much of itMy heart can easily love it or leave itTold myself I didn’t need it
And years have gone byShe’s moved on, so have IOr have I?That part of my lifeThat chapter I thought I’d closedI close my eyes, but she’s not goneOh, why am I still holding on?Sometimes, loveHangs around a little too long
I never thought a thing about the things I said to herAnd her to meLove was just a word and all our promisesWe never meant to keepOr so I thoughtShe was a sometimes loveBut sometimes, loveHangs around a little too long
And years have gone byShe’s moved on, so have IOr have I?That part of my lifeThat chapter I thought I’d closedI close my eyes, but she’s not goneOh, why am I still holding on?
She was a sometimes loveBut sometimes, loveHangs around a little too longSometimes, loveHangs around a little too long