Learning to Live Again inspired by...
Learning To Live Again
Lyrics by: Don Schlitz and Stephanie Davis
Album: Garth Brooks - The Chase
I burned my hand, and I cut my face
Heaven knows how long it's been
Since I felt so out of place
I'm wonderin' if I'll fit in
Debbie and Charley said they'd be here by nine
And Deb said she might bring a friend
Just my luck, they're right on time
So here I go again
Chorus:
I'm gonna smile my best smile
And I'm gonna laugh like it's goin' out of style
Look into her eyes and pray that she don't see
That learning to live again is killing me
Little cafe, table for four
But there's just conversation for three
I like the way she let me get the door
I wonder what she thinks of me
Debbie just whipspered, "You're doin' fine,"
And I wish that I felt the same
She's asked me to dance, now her hand's in mine
Oh, my god, I've forgotten her name
Chorus:
But I'm gonna smile my best smile
And I'm gonna laugh like it's goin' out of style
Look into her eyes and pray that she don't see
this learning to live again is killing me
Now here we are beneath her porch light
And I say what a great time it's been
A kiss on the cheek, a whisper goodnight
And I say, "Can I see you again?"
And she just smiles her best smile
And she laughs like it's goin' out of style
Looks into my eyes and sayd, "We'll see."
Oh this learning to live again is killing me
God this learning to live again is killing me
Notes: What can I say, Garth Brooks picks great songs by wonderful writers. This song has long been one of my favorites, though unless you have his album, it's doubtful you know it. Getting back into life, learning how to date again after you've been in a long term relationship is a difficult thing. I don't know what it was about this song that spoke to me in terms of Jason, but it did. Maybe it was because after Jason's accident he had to learn everything again, and I could see him thinking he'd found a relationship, and when it ended, wondering if he should put himself out there and try the whole process again. So I played with history just a bit, took that devestation he felt after losing Michael, and how he was able to talk to Elizabeth about it, and came up with this story. I don't often write in first person, but I felt the rawness of the story matched the raw emotion of the song.
