With the money from her accident
She bought herself a mobile home
So at least she could get some enjoyment
Out of being alone
No one could say that she was left up on the shelf
It's you and me against the World kid she mumbled to herself

When the world falls apart some things stay in place
Levi Stubbs' tears run down his face

She ran away from home on her mother's best coat
She was married before she was even entitled to vote
And her husband was one of those blokes
The sort that only laughs at his own jokes
The sort a war takes away
And when there wasn't a war he left anyway

Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong
Are here to make everything right that's wrong
Holland and Holland and Lamont Dozier too
Are here to make it all okay with you

One dark night he came home from the sea
And put a hole in her body where no hole should be
It hurt her more to see him walking out the door
And though they stitched her back together they left her heart in pieces on the floor

When the world falls apart some things stay in place
She takes off the Four Tops tape and puts it back in its case
When the world falls apart some things stay in place
Levi Stubbs' tears



Lyrics submitted by b-pot

Track duration: 03:32

"Levi Stubbs' Tears [*]" as written by Billy Bragg

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Levi Stubbs' Tears song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Feed me, Seymour!
    Flag sunshipballoonson April 26, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Genuis song.

    i remember reading an interview with him when this song first came out 20 years ago. He said that he's found a bit of paper on a bus with the words 'Levi Stubb's Tears' on it, which inspired him to write this song of the same name.

    nimbus666 is right it's about listening to the hurt and pain in someone else's voice in order ease your own troubles.

    "And her husband was one of those blokes
    The sort that only laughs at his own jokes
    The sort a war takes away
    And when there wasn't a war he left anyway"

    Genius lyric.
    Flag Baby Clydeon July 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:A beautiful song, especially live with everyone singing along.
    Flag osamaon October 15, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Levi Stubbs was the lead singer of the Four Tops. Bill Bragg is a big fan of Motown and I think this song is about the solace that people find in music, even when their lives are very difficult.
    Flag nimbus666on May 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I have only ever heard a live version of this song and it contains

    "Levi Stubbs' tears run down his face"

    - that line, but I'm sure it must be a mistake. Unless she is meant to be crying on somebodies sholder.

    It's about a girl who makes some wrong choices in life (running away from home and marrying a complete w*nker) and lives a sad lonely existance. Very bleak song.
    Flag Comrade_Liaron May 12, 2005   Link

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