About the song
Aching Memories and Letting Go: George Strait’s “Give It Away”
Ah, George Strait. The King of Country, whose voice has serenaded generations with tales of love, loss, and living life to the fullest. And there’s one song that just about every country music fan, young or old, can sing along to, a ballad that tugs at the heartstrings as much as it makes you tap your foot: “Give It Away”.
Released in 2006, “Give It Away” isn’t your typical break-up song. It’s not about anger or blame, but about the quiet ache of letting go, of watching a love story fade into a memory. The lyrics paint a picture as vivid as a Texas sunset, each line a brushstroke of heartbreak and acceptance.
We find ourselves in the aftermath of a love that’s flown the coop. The wife, storming out, throws over her shoulder a command that echoes through the empty house: “Give it away.” The objects, once symbols of their shared life, become ghosts of what was. The honeymoon picture, the king-size bed, the diamond ring – all reduced to mere possessions, unwanted reminders of a love that’s gone cold.
But the song’s beauty lies not just in its imagery, but in George Strait’s masterful delivery. His voice, weathered and warm, carries the weight of years, of promises whispered and dreams shattered. He sings with a quiet understanding, a hint of sadness in his eyes but a steady resolve in his heart.
There’s no bitterness, no blame game. Instead, there’s a weary wisdom in the lines: “There ain’t nothin’ in this house worth fightin’ over / Oh, and we’re both tired of fightin’ anyway.” It’s a recognition that sometimes, love simply runs its course, and the best we can do is let go with grace, even if it means living with the ghosts of memories.
But even in letting go, there’s a flicker of hope, a ember of love that refuses to be extinguished. The man in the song, though surrounded by the remnants of his past, can’t quite bring himself to “Give it away”. The honeymoon picture, the wedding ring – they hold a bittersweet beauty, a reminder of the love that once burned so bright.
“Give It Away” is more than just a break-up song. It’s a meditation on the passage of time, on the bittersweet beauty of memories, and on the resilience of the human heart. It’s a song that speaks to anyone who’s ever loved and lost, anyone who’s ever faced the daunting task of moving on. And in George Strait’s voice, it becomes a testament to the power of music to heal, to comfort, and to remind us that even in the face of loss, life goes on, and the melody of love, though sometimes faint, continues to play.
So, put on your boots, crank up the volume, and let George Strait take you on a journey through the poignant landscape of “Give It Away”. You might just find yourself reminiscing about lost loves, shedding a tear or two, and ultimately, embracing the bittersweet beauty of letting go.
Video
Lyrics
She was stormin’ through the house that day
And I could tell she was leavin’
And I thought, “Aw, she’ll be back”
‘Til she turned around and pointed at the wall and said
“That picture from our honeymoon
That night in ‘Frisco Bay
Just give it away”
She said, “Give it away”
“And that big four poster king sized bed
Where so much love was made
Just give it away”
She said, “Just give it away”
Just give it away
There ain’t nothing in this house worth fightin’ over
Oh, and we’re both tired of fightin’ anyway
So just give it away
So I tried to move on
But I found that each woman I held
Just reminded me of that day, hmm
When that front door swung wide open
She flung her diamond ring
Said, “Give it away
Just give it away”
And I said, “Now honey
Don’t you even want your half of everything?”
She said, “Give it away
Just give it away”
Just give it away
There ain’t nothing in this house worth fightin’ over
Oh, and we’re both tired of fightin’ anyway
So just give it away
So, I’m still right here where she left me
Along with all the other things
She don’t care about anymore, hmm
Like that picture from our honeymoon
That night in ‘Frisco Bay
She said, “Give it away”
Well, I can’t give it away
That big four poster king sized bed
Where all our love was made
She said, “Give it away”
Well, I can’t give it away
I’ve got a furnished house
A diamond ring
And a lonely, broken heart
Full of love
And I can’t even give it away