About The Song
“Things Change” is a poignant song by Dwight Yoakam, released as the lead single from his 1998 album, A Long Way Home. Written by Yoakam himself, the song encapsulates his knack for blending traditional country with contemporary themes, a hallmark of his enduring career. The track is characterized by its heartfelt lyrics and a melody steeped in the honky-tonk tradition, making it both nostalgic and relevant to its late-1990s audience.
The song addresses the inevitability of change in relationships, exploring themes of heartbreak and the bittersweet nature of moving on. Yoakam’s lyrics capture the essence of acceptance, acknowledging that people and circumstances evolve over time, often in ways that defy our expectations. This emotional resonance is underscored by Yoakam’s signature vocals—distinctly plaintive and imbued with authenticity. Lines like “She said things change / And that’s why we part” deliver a universal message about the complexities of love and loss.
“Things Change” was released during a period when Yoakam was navigating the changing landscape of country music. The late 1990s saw the rise of crossover artists blending pop and country, but Yoakam stayed true to his roots while experimenting with fresh storytelling approaches. His ability to straddle traditional and modern sensibilities helped him remain relevant even as the genre underwent a significant transformation.
On the Billboard charts, “Things Change” achieved modest success. It peaked at #17 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, reaffirming Yoakam’s status as a consistent presence in the country music scene. While it did not reach the commercial heights of some of his earlier hits like “Guitars, Cadillacs” or “Fast as You,” the song resonated deeply with his core fanbase and further cemented his reputation as one of the most thoughtful songwriters in the genre.
The music video was directed by Yoakam and premiered in May 1998.
Video
Lyrics
She said, baby things change
I said, but I feel the same
She said, well let me explain
Baby, how things can change
I said, but that doesn’t show
How a love that could grow
Would become so strange
She said, well baby, things change
She said, Na, na, na, na, na
Now, now, now baby, don’t try
To figure this out
Or ask questions ’bout why
Forever’s a promise
No love can survive
And trust with hearts
Just don’t apply
She said,
‘Cause baby, things change
Na, na, na, na, na, now, now
So baby I quit tryin’
To figure things out
About all your hearts lyin’
Forever’s a promise
We couldn’t survive
Hey, I may be slow
But I ain’t blind
She said, I still love you so
I said, I don’t care to know
She said, you once cried my name
I said, well baby, things change
And let’s don’t go placing no blame
‘Cause you know things can change
Na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na
She said, you once cried my name
I said, well, baby, things change
Na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na
Let’s don’t go placing no blame, yeah
‘Cause you know things can change
Na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na
