Story Behind The Song
The song celebrates the American Dream gone sour. Think of Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway in the movie "Barfly".
Song Description
I'm Just A Glass Half Empty Kind Of Guy" opens with a harmonica flourish and continues with a down-and-out male vocal. We just can't help feeling sorry for this fellow!
Song Length |
4:20 |
Genre |
Pop - General, Blues - General |
Tempo |
Very Slow (Under 70) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
Mood |
Cheerless, Gloomy |
Subject |
Failure, Pain |
Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
1. My whole life I've played a losin' game.
Now I've hit rock bottom, not a penny to my name.
Nothin' left for me to hope for, just more of the same.
I'm just a glass-half-empty kind of guy.
2. I'm so down-low; I don't even know where to start.
There's a big hole in my chest where there ought to be a heart.
Seems like I was born to just play a loser's part.
I guess I'm just a glass-half-empty kind of guy.
--PIANO BRIDGE--
3. I've looked ev'ry di-rection, but there ain't no way to turn.
After so many years, well, you'd think that I'd learn.
The devil don't want me, 'cause there ain't no soul left to burn.
I'm just a glass-half-empty kind of guy.
4. Nobody knows the trouble I've seen.
I've been to hell and back, I think you know what I mean,
Through times of fat and the times of lean
I've been just a glass-half-empty kind of guy.
--PIANO BRIDGE--
5. Now, don't y'all judge me 'til you've walked in my shoes
Not 'til y'all know what it's like to have paid your dues
And you've reached the point where there's nothin' left to lose
Then you'll be a glass-half-empty kind of guy.
(Rubato) Just a glass-half-empty kind of guy (scat-sing and out)