About the song
Background
- Original Writer: “Cold, Cold Heart” is a classic country ballad penned by the legendary Hank Williams in 1951. It’s a song known for its melancholic tone and themes of heartbreak.
- Jerry Lee Lewis’ Version: In 1956, Jerry Lee Lewis, already known for his energetic piano-driven rockabilly, recorded his version for Sun Records. While still a heart-wrenching ballad, he infused it with his signature energy and a touch of the defiance that marked his sound.
Themes
The primary themes in “Cold, Cold Heart” revolve around unrequited love and the emotional pain it carries:
- Unrequited Love: The singer laments a lover whose heart is distant and unresponsive. They plead for affection but are met with coldness.
- Heartbreak and Pain: The lyrics focus on the anguish and loneliness caused by the absence of reciprocated love.
- Doubt and Bitterness: The singer struggles to understand why their affection is shunned. There’s a sense of frustration at their efforts seeming to have been in vain.
Lyrics
Here’s a look at some key lines that illustrate these themes:
- “I tried so hard, my dear, to show that you’re my every dream…” This establishes the unrequited dynamic, showing the singer’s deep emotions.
- “…Yet you’re afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme” conveys suspicion and doubt. The lover doesn’t trust the singer’s sincerity.
- “A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart. Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?” These central lines showcase the singer’s frustration and yearning, recognizing the emotional barrier of the lover’s past.
Impact
Jerry Lee Lewis took a classic country lament and imbued it with the raw energy and edge that signified early rockabilly. It’s a great example of how genres could blend together in those formative years. His version, while not as commercially successful as some of his more famous rockers, further established him as a versatile artist capable of soulful and emotionally resonant covers.
Video
Lyrics
I’ve tried so hard, my dear, to show that you’re my every dream
Yet you’re afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
A memory from the lonesome past keeps us so far apart
Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart?
Another love before my time had made your heart sad and blue
And so my heart is paying dear for things he really didn’t do
In anger, unkind words I said had make those teardrops start
Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart?
You’ll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
You know I need, I want your love yet you’re afraid to try
Why do you run and hide from life to try it just ain’t smart?
Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart?