Havin' a Good Time by The Waymore Blues Band & Waylon Jennings (2024)

Everybody's gone away said they're moving to LA
There's not a soul I know around everybody's leaving town
Some caught a freight some caught a plane
Find the sunshine leave the rain they say this town'll waste your mind
Must be right cause it's wasting mine
Some got to win some got to lose good time Charlies got the blues

My heart keeps telling me there ain't no kid at thirty-three

Play around you lose your wife you play too long you lose your life
I got my pills to ease the pain can't find a thing to ease the rain

Sometimes I'd like to try and settle down but everybody's leaving town
Some got to win some got to lose good time Charlies got the blues

The lyrics of "Havin' a Good Time" by The Waymore Blues Band & Waylon Jennings capture a bluesy and somewhat melancholic reflection on life, change, and the pursuit of happiness that seems just out of reach. The opening lines introduce a sense of dislocation, as the singer observes that everyone has left their hometown for the allure of Los Angeles, a city synonymous with hope and new beginnings. This sense of abandonment punctuates the singer’s feelings of isolation, emphasizing that he seems to be the last one left. The line "Some caught a freight some caught a plane" conveys that individuals are choosing various paths to escape their current lives, highlighting a collective yearning for better fortunes. The image of finding “sunshine” while leaving “the rain” is symbolic of seeking joy and positive experiences, contrasting the dreariness he associates with his hometown.

As the singer grapples with the reality of being left behind, he reflects on the implications of this exodus. He poignantly reveals that this town has become mentally stifling, evident in the line "this town'll waste your mind." It suggests that the environment has not only failed to inspire but has actively drained the joy and vitality from him. This realization is compounded by the acknowledgment of personal struggles, captured in the repeated refrain, “Some got to win some got to lose,” which speaks to the unpredictability of life. The singer seems acutely aware that while some people find success and happiness, others, like him, are left grappling with unfulfilled dreams and disappointment. The phrase "good time Charlies got the blues" cleverly encapsulates the irony of seeking pleasure and joy while being haunted by a sense of gloom, indicating that chasing a carefree life often leads to unexpected sorrow.

In the second verse, the singer reflects on the passage of time with a tinge of sadness and resignation, admitting that his heart reminds him that at his age—thirty-three—he can no longer indulge in the reckless abandon of youth. This recognition adds a layer of complexity to his predicament, revealing the tension between his desire to hold onto youthful fun and the sobering responsibilities of adulthood. The line "Play around you lose your wife" serves as a harsh reminder of the personal costs of a carefree lifestyle, suggesting that long nights of revelry can lead to significant losses in relationships and life stability. There is a struggle between the urge to seek happiness through adventure and the consequences of such choices, making this inner conflict palpable.

Ultimately, the singer confesses to his internal battle with feelings of loneliness, despair, and a longing for connection as he navigates his emotional landscape. Despite having "pills to ease the pain," there is a recognition that superficial solutions cannot alleviate deeper sorrow—the "rain" in his life remains unyielding. His desire to settle down hints at a wish for stability and companionship, but the reality is that those he might connect with have moved on. The overarching theme reveals a common human experience: the search for belonging and fulfillment amid the chaos of life. The song resonates as a poignant testament to the pain of watching others leave while confronting one's own struggles, underscoring the complexities of happiness intertwined with loss, dreams, and the bittersweet nature of existence.

Everybody's gone away said they're moving to LA
Everyone I know has left, claiming they're relocating to Los Angeles.

There's not a soul I know around everybody's leaving town
There isn't a single familiar person in this place anymore; it feels like everyone is departing.

Some caught a freight some caught a plane
Some have traveled by train while others have taken a flight to their new destinations.

Find the sunshine leave the rain they say this town'll waste your mind
People are seeking brighter, happier places and abandoning the gloomy atmosphere here, cautioning that this town can drain your mental energy.

Must be right cause it's wasting mine
It must be true because I can feel my own thoughts and enthusiasm dwindling here.

Some got to win some got to lose good time Charlies got the blues
In life, some people achieve success while others experience failure; those who seek fun often end up feeling sorrow.

My heart keeps telling me there ain't no kid at thirty-three
My intuition reminds me that at the age of thirty-three, I can't afford to act immaturely or carelessly.

Play around you lose your wife you play too long you lose your life
If I indulge in frivolity, I risk losing my partner, and prolonged irresponsibility could lead to more serious losses.

I got my pills to ease the pain can't find a thing to ease the rain
I have medication to help numb my emotional suffering, but nothing seems to alleviate my sadness.

Sometimes I'd like to try and settle down but everybody's leaving town
At times, I wish to establish stability in my life, but it feels like everyone around me is moving on.

Some got to win some got to lose good time Charlies got the blues
Again reflecting on life’s dualities, some people find success while others face defeat; those who chase after enjoyment find themselves in sorrow.