Chris Stapleton’s “You Should Probably Leave” is a soulful country song that explores the emotional complexities of a relationship fraught with temptation and the struggle to make the right decision.
The lyrics narrate the story of two persons who are irresistibly drawn to each other, despite knowing that staying together could lead to regret. The song captures the tension between desire and prudence, as both parties recognize the familiar patterns that suggest they should part ways before complications arise.
Stapleton’s bluesy, rootsy musical style enhances the storytelling, adding depth to the narrative of love, heartache, and self-awareness.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“You Should Probably Leave” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
I know it ain’t all that late
But you should probably leave
And I recognize that look in your eyes
Yeah, you should probably leave
The opening lines, “I know it ain’t all that late / But you should probably leave,” set the stage for the internal conflict. The narrator acknowledges that it’s not too late in the evening, but suggests that the other person should leave to avoid falling into temptation.
The line “I recognize that look in your eyes” shows a deep familiarity and history between the two, suggesting that they both know where the night might lead if they don’t part ways.
[Chorus]
‘Cause I know you and you know me
And we both know where this is gonna lead
You want me to say that I want you to stay
So you should probably leave
Yeah, you should probably leave
The chorus emphasizes the mutual understanding between the narrator and the other person: “Cause I know you and you know me / And we both know where this is gonna lead.” This section highlights the tension between their desires and the awareness that staying together could lead to complications.
The repetition of “you should probably leave” serves as both a warning and a wish, as if the narrator is trying to convince himself as much as the other person.
[Verse 2]
There’s still time for you to finish your wine
Then you should probably leave
And it’s hard to resist, alright, just one kiss
Then you should probably leave
In this verse, the narrator acknowledges the difficulty of resisting temptation, as seen in the lines “There’s still time for you to finish your wine / And it’s hard to resist, alright, just one kiss.”
This moment captures the struggle between giving in to desire and doing what they both know is the right thing by leaving.
[Bridge]
Like a devil on my shoulder, you keep whisperin’ in my ear
And it’s gettin’ kinda hard for me to do the right thing here
I wanna do the right thing, baby
The bridge introduces the metaphor of “a devil on my shoulder,” symbolizing the internal struggle the narrator faces.
The whispering in his ear represents the temptation to act against his better judgment, making it challenging to do the right thing.
[Verse 3]
Sun on your skin, 6AM
And I been watchin’ you sleep
And honey, I’m so afraid you’re gonna wake up and say
That you should probably leave
The final verse shifts to the morning after, with the line “Sun on your skin, 6AM / And I been watchin’ you sleep.” This imagery suggests that they did not heed the earlier warnings and spent the night together.
The narrator’s fear that the other person might wake up and say they should leave underscores the bittersweet nature of their intimacy, filled with both closeness and regret.
Deeper Meaning Behind “You Should Probably Leave”
The song “You Should Probably Leave” portrays a conversation between two former lovers who are drawn back into each other’s lives. Despite their mutual attraction, they are aware that staying together could lead to heartache.
The phrase “you should probably leave” serves as a recurring motif throughout the song, symbolizing the awareness that, although they are tempted to stay together, it would be wiser to part ways to avoid further complications in their already messy relationship.
The inspiration behind Chris Stapleton’s song “You Should Probably Leave” stems from the complex dynamics of a tempting yet doomed relationship. The song narrates the story of an on-again, off-again couple who are irresistibly drawn to each other despite knowing that their reunion is unlikely to end well.
The opening lines set the scene with the narrator suggesting that the other person should leave, despite it not being late. In fact, the concern is not about the time but about avoiding a situation where they might make regrettable decisions.
The bridge introduces the metaphor of a “devil on my shoulder,” representing the internal battle the narrator faces. This imagery illustrates the temptation whispering in his ear, making it challenging to do what he knows is right.
In the final verse, the morning after scenario is depicted, where the narrator watches the other person sleep. This moment is bittersweet, filled with intimacy but also regret, as they realize that perhaps they should not have stayed together.
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He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.