Mary Anne and Wanda were the best of friends
All through their high school days
Both members of the 4H club, both active in the FFA
After graduation
Mary Anne went out lookin' for a bright new world
Wanda looked all around this town and all she found was Earl

It wasn't two weeks after she got married that
Wanda started gettin' abused
She'd put on dark glasses or long sleeved blouses
Or make-up to cover a bruise
Well she finally got the nerve to file for divorce
And she let the law take it from there
But Earl walked right through that restraining order
And put her in intensive care

Right away Mary Anne flew in from Atlanta
On a red eye midnight flight
She held Wanda's hand as they worked out a plan
And it didn't take 'em long to decide

That Earl had to die, goodbye Earl
Those black-eyed peas, they tasted alright to me, Earl
You're feelin' weak? Why don't you lay down and sleep, Earl
Ain't it dark wrapped up in that tarp, Earl

The cops came by to bring Earl in
They searched the house high and low
Then they tipped their hats and said, thank you ladies
If you hear from him let us know
Well the weeks went by and spring turned to summer
And summer faded into fall
And it turns out he was a missing person who nobody missed at all

So the girls bought some land and a roadside stand
Out on highway 109
They sell Tennessee ham and strawberry jam
And they don't lose any sleep at night, 'cause

Earl had to die, goodbye Earl
We need a break, let's go out to the lake, Earl
We'll pack a lunch, and stuff you in the trunk, Earl
Is that alright? Good! Let's go for a ride, Earl



Lyrics submitted by Ice

Track duration: 04:18

"Goodbye Earl" as written by Dennis Linde

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Goodbye Earl song meanings
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22 Comments

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  • 0
    Song Meaning:The song is about losing stature in a friend's life when they get married and move on. Lots of people get jealous of their friend's intimate relationships and the changes that occur.

    The song is pure fantasy. She concocts an idea wishing that her friend (and her husband) are miserable so that she can swoop in and save the day. The husband is projected into the monster
    to cover her own violent feelings towards the relationship and her own misfortunes. She selfishly wants her friend back and blames the husband for her friend's choice of getting married and settling down.

    She mocks Earl and is nasty because she wants her friend to be dissatisfied in the relationship. She reminds herself (and the listener) that she was in 4H and FFA. She can't possibly believe that she could be wrong. The "girlfriend" gets vicious revenge at the expense of her friend's marriage to fulfill her own selfish desires.

    An immature fantasy from an unreliable narrator.
    Flag zedpoxon September 07, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Well, this is a little pedantic, but don't red-eye flights fly east, like from California to Chicago or the East Coast? Who would ever take a red eye out of Atlanta?
    Flag dd42on June 02, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:What a song. It is written in such a way that ALL of us think that Earl truly does deserve to die. If nothing else, The Dixie Chicks brought domestic abuse into a new, more public light. And it exemplifies vigilante justice, and how it sometimes works for the best. Sure, this song is a series of hyperboles, but it is still awesome, and has a great meaning behind it. I hate country music, but I love this.
    Flag jaredbreweron June 01, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:the video is hilarious and it goes well with the song. i love it................if only it was really that easy to get rid a guy who treated you wrong........hehehehehehe!
    Flag daddys_girl24on October 19, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:lol besides johnny cash an john cougar mellencamp im not big on country but this songs pretty cool
    Flag DraculaFromHoustonon August 20, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is one awesome song. such a sordid thing about killing but, yet mocking it and feeling proud about it.
    Flag RomantiicDemiiseon February 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is amazing. It has enough humor that kiling Earl doesn't feel morbid, and enough seriousness that it doesn't feel like they're making light of domestic violence and murder.

    Look for the video on YouTube. It's hilarious. And Adrian Pasdar from Heroes (Nathan Petrelli) plays a cop in it. XD
    Flag blackat16on February 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:funny song :)
    Flag liyevon June 07, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:yeah, it has a pretty cool video.
    meaning is pretty obvious.
    Flag annabellarockafellaon May 07, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Recently covered by Me First And The Gimme Gimmes (a punk cover band) for their upcoming album "... Love Their Country"
    Flag StupidStuon September 27, 2006   Link

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