My Elusive Dreams
George Jones; Tammy Wynette Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴I'd followed me to Texas I'd followed me to Utah
We didn't find it there so we moved on
I'd followed you to Alabam things look good in Birmingham
We didn't find it there so we moved on
I know you're tired of following my elusive dreams and schemes
For they're only fleeting things my elusive dreams
I had your child in Memphis you heard of work in Nashville
We didn't find it there so we moved on To a small farm in Nebraska to a gold mine in Alaska
We didn't find it there so we moved on
And now we've left Alaska because there was no gold mine
But this time only two of us moves on
Now all we have is each other and a little memory to cling to
And still you won't let me go on alone
I know you're tired of following my elusive dreams and schemes

For they're only fleeting things my elusive dreams
For they're only fleeting things my elusive dreams

Overall Meaning

"My Elusive Dreams" by George Jones and Tammy Wynette is a song about the journey of a couple who have been chasing their dreams from place to place. The song vividly describes their travels across Texas, Utah, Alabama, Memphis, Nashville, Nebraska, and Alaska, in search of their dream job or a better life, but couldn't find it anywhere. However, they kept on moving, hoping that the next town or city would bring them closer to their elusive dreams. The woman is tired of going after her husband's unrealistic aspirations but chooses to stick by him no matter what, holding onto the little memories they have created together.

The song's underlying message speaks to the human condition of being relentlessly ambitious and always striving for something better, no matter the cost. It shows the sacrifices people make to realize their dreams, even if that means disrupting their relationships, family life, and mental well-being. Despite the endless pursuit, the song concludes on a poignant note, with the couple realizing that they have only each other and the memories they've held onto all along.

Line by Line Meaning

I'd followed me to Texas I'd followed me to Utah
I traveled to Texas and Utah, hoping to find my elusive dreams.

We didn't find it there so we moved on
We didn't find my elusive dreams in Texas or Utah, so we continued our search.

I'd followed you to Alabam things look good in Birmingham
I followed you to Alabama, where things seemed promising in Birmingham.

We didn't find it there so we moved on
Unfortunately, we didn't find my elusive dreams in Alabama either, so we continued our journey.

I know you're tired of following my elusive dreams and schemes
I understand that you're exhausted from trying to help me achieve my fleeting goals and plans.

For they're only fleeting things my elusive dreams
I realize that my dreams are not sustainable or lasting.

I had your child in Memphis you heard of work in Nashville
Our life together continued as we had a child in Memphis and heard of job prospects in Nashville.

We didn't find it there so we moved on
Despite our hopes, we didn't find what we were looking for in Memphis or Nashville, so we moved on.

To a small farm in Nebraska to a gold mine in Alaska
We tried our luck in both a small farm in Nebraska, and then a gold mine in Alaska.

We didn't find it there so we moved on
Unfortunately, we once again came up short in our search for my elusive dreams.

And now we've left Alaska because there was no gold mine
We had to leave Alaska after learning that there was no gold mine to be found.

But this time only two of us moves on
This journey only involves the two of us moving forward.

Now all we have is each other and a little memory to cling to
All that remains is our shared experiences and memories that we can hold on to.

And still you won't let me go on alone
Despite the challenges, you're unwilling to let me continue this quest on my own.

I know you're tired of following my elusive dreams and schemes
Once again, I understand that you're weary of following my fleeting dreams and plans.

For they're only fleeting things my elusive dreams
My dreams are only momentary and unsustainable, no matter how hard we try.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Sherrill, Claude Putman Jr., Curly Putman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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