About the song
Conway Twitty – We Had It All: A Ballad of Lost Love and Enduring Memories
In the realm of country music, few names resonate with the same enduring power as Conway Twitty. Known for his rich baritone voice and heartfelt performances, Twitty captivated audiences for decades, leaving behind a legacy of timeless classics. Among his most cherished gems is the poignant ballad “We Had It All”, a song that paints a vivid portrait of love’s bittersweet tapestry.
Released in 1981, “We Had It All” is a testament to Twitty’s mastery of storytelling through song. The lyrics, penned by Troy Seals and Donnie Fritts, weave a tale of a love that once burned brightly, now dimmed by the passage of time and the cruel hand of fate. The song opens with a nostalgic reverie, as the narrator reminisces about simpler times when love was young and life was full of promise.
“I can hear the wind blowin’ in my mind, Just the way it used to sound through the Georgia pines,” he sings, his voice imbued with a wistful longing. “And you were there to answer when I called. You and me, Lord knows we had it all.”
The verses unfold like a scrapbook of cherished memories, each line capturing a fleeting moment of shared joy and intimacy. The narrator recalls the tenderness of a lover’s touch, the shared laughter that echoed through their home, and the unspoken bond that held them together. These memories, though now bittersweet, are the lifeblood of the song, a testament to the enduring power of love even in its absence.
As the song progresses, the narrator’s tone shifts from wistful nostalgia to a poignant acceptance of the past. He acknowledges that “we can never live those times again”, but finds solace in the memories that remain. “So I let these dreams take me back where we’ve been,” he sings, “And I stay there with you just as long as I can.”
The chorus, a poignant refrain that echoes throughout the song, serves as a heart-wrenching reminder of what once was and what can never be again. “Oh, it was so good,” Twitty laments, his voice thick with emotion. “Oh, it was so good when I was your man.”
Despite the underlying sadness, “We Had It All” is ultimately a song of resilience and hope. The narrator finds strength in the memories of his lost love, and he carries them with him as he faces the future. The song’s closing lines offer a glimmer of solace, as the narrator declares: “I’ll never stop believin’ in your smile. And even though you didn’t stay, it was all worthwhile.”
“We Had It All” is a timeless ballad that resonates with anyone who has experienced the bittersweet pangs of lost love. It is a song that captures the essence of love’s enduring power, reminding us that even in its absence, love leaves an indelible mark on our souls. Conway Twitty’s heartfelt performance and the song’s poignant lyrics have cemented its place as a country music classic, a testament to the enduring power of love and the beauty of cherished memories.
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Lyrics
“We Had It All”
I can hear the wind blowin’ in my mind.
Just the way it used to sound through the Georgia pines.
And you were there to answer when I called.
You and me lord knows we had it all.Remember how I used to touch your hair?
While reaching for the feelin’ that was always there.
You were the best thing in my life I can recall.
You and me Lord, knows we had it all.I know that we can never live those times again.
So I let these dreams take me back where we’ve been.
And I stay there with you just as long as I can.
Oh, it was so good (it was so good).
Oh it was so good (so good).
Oh it was so good when I was your man.I’ll never stop believin’ in your smile.
And even though you didn’t stay it was all worth while.
You were the best thing in my life I can recall.
You and me Lord knows we had it all.Yeah, You and me Lord knows we had it all…