About The Song
Tammy Wynette. The name itself conjures up a tapestry of twangy guitars, heartache ballads, and a voice that could wring tears from a stone. And among her many gems, “‘Til I Can Make It on My Own” shines as a beacon of resilience in the face of love’s cruelest blows.
Released in 1976, the song wasn’t just a chart-topping hit, it was a lifeline for countless women grappling with the bittersweet sting of divorce. Back then, in a world where “till death do us part” often felt more like an ironclad contract than a whispered promise, leaving a marriage was a radical act. It meant defying societal expectations, navigating financial uncertainties, and confronting the raw ache of a broken vow.
Wynette, who herself had weathered five divorces, understood this pain intimately. In “‘Til I Can Make It on My Own,” she doesn’t shy away from the raw vulnerability of a woman picking up the pieces. The opening verse sets the scene, painting a picture of a life uprooted:
“Empty boxes on the floor, dust motes dancin’ in the sun Memories whisperin’ in the corners of this room we called our own”
The lyrics, penned by Wynette and Billy Sherrill, are as sharp as a double-edged sword. They slice through denial (“I guess I knew this day was comin’, but I never thought it’d be this soon”) and expose the hollowness of empty promises (“You said forever, but forever just went out of style”).
But amidst the heartache, there’s a flicker of defiance. The title, “‘Til I Can Make It on My Own,” becomes a mantra, a whispered vow to the ghosts of the past. It’s a promise not of vengeance, but of self-discovery, of finding strength in the wreckage.
Wynette’s voice, a husky, emotive instrument, carries the song’s emotional weight with grace. She doesn’t scream or sob; she simply tells the truth, her voice cracking just enough to convey the tremor in her heart. It’s a performance that resonates with anyone who’s ever faced the daunting task of starting over, of building a new life from the ashes of the old.
“‘Til I Can Make It on My Own” is more than just a country song; it’s an anthem for anyone who’s ever dared to walk away from a broken dream. It’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience, a reminder that even in the darkest hour, there’s a flicker of hope, a whispered promise of a future where we stand tall, on our own two feet.
Video
Lyrics
“‘Til I Can Make It On My Own”
And I may sometimes bother You
Try to be in touch with You
Even ask too much of You, from time to time
Now and then
Lord, You know I’ll need a friend
And ’till I get used to losing You
Let me keep on using You
‘Til I can make it on my own
I’ll get by, but no matter how I try
There’ll be times that You’ll know I’ll call
Chances are my tears will fall
And I’ll have no pride at all, from time to time
But they say, oh, there’ll be a brighter day
But ’til then I lean on You
That’s all I mean to do
‘Til I can make it on my own
Surely someday I’ll look up and see the morning sun
Without another lonely night behind me
Then I’ll know I’m over You and all my cryin’s done
No more hurtin’ memories can find me
But ’til then
Lord, You know I’m gonna need a friend
‘Til I get used to losing You
Let me keep on using You
‘Til I can make it on my own
‘Til I can make it on my own