Getting Even With the Blues

Song Meaning

These lyrics capture a defiant stand against post-breakup sadness. The narrator makes a conscious choice to "smile for a while" and invite "moonlight in." It's a deliberate act of reclaiming personal space and mood. The central tension here is a fierce, almost combative resolve against lingering heartache. The narrator actively decides to "put your memory away" and confront the "achin in my heart." This isn't just coping; it's a declaration of war, promising to "show this achin... a thing or two." A striking element is the vivid personification of sorrow. "That lonely feelings had it's way" suggests a past surrender, but the narrator now confronts it directly. "The hurting thinks its found a home" is a particularly sharp image, portraying pain as an unwelcome squatter who will be told "it ain't welcome here tonight." What makes these lyrics resonate is their blend of fierce determination and stark realism. The narrator isn't pretending this fight is over forever, admitting "Tomorrow that old cloud may come around." This honesty about the temporary nature of their triumph makes the present moment of defiance – "tonight I'm getting even with the blues" – feel all the more powerful and genuinely earned.