Last Thing on My Mind
Tom Paxton
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Are you going away with no word of farewell Will there be not a trace left behind Well, I could have loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind You know that was the last thing on my mind It's a lesson too late for the learnin' Made of sand, made of sand In the wink of an eye my soul is turnin' In your hand, in your hand Are you going away with no word of farewell Will there be not a trace left behind Well, I could have loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind You know that was the last thing on my mind You've got reasons a-plenty for goin' This I know, this I know For the weeds have been steadily growin' Please don't go, please don't go Are you going away with no word of farewell Will there be not a trace left behind Well, I could have loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind You know that was the last thing on my mind As I lie in my bed in the mornin' Without you, without you Each song in my breast lies a burnin' Without you, without you Are you going away with no word of farewell Will there be not a trace left behind Well, I could have loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind You know that was the last thing on my mind Are you going away with no word of farewell Will there be not a trace left behind Well, I could have loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind You know that was the last thing on my mind That was the last thing on my mind
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3 fans
Written by: Tom Paxton
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Origin"Last Thing On My Mind" is a song written and first performed by American folk singer-songwriter Tom Paxton.
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Release DateThe song was first released in 1964 on Paxton's album "Ramblin' Boy," his debut album with Elektra Records.
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Song PopularityThe song is one of Paxton's best-known compositions and has been covered by hundreds of artists, from Judy Collins and Joan Baez to Neil Diamond. It is often considered a staple of the folk and country genres.
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Unofficial AnthemThe song can be considered an unofficial anthem of the 1960s folk revival movement. It was frequently sung at hootenannies (informal folk music gatherings) and folk festivals.
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Misinterpreted MeaningDespite its mournful tone, Paxton has stated that he wrote "Last Thing On My Mind" as a love song, not a breakup song. The ''walk me out in the morning dew'' line is said to have been inspired by the habit of his then-girlfriend (later wife) Midge, of walking in the early morning.
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Song Structure"Last Thing On My Mind" adheres to the traditional style of folk songwriting with simple, repetitive melodies and honest, heartfelt lyrics. The use of the descending sequence in the song also adds to its nostalgic and melancholic effect.
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Chart PerformanceDespite being covered by many successful artists, it was the Irish band The Dubliners' cover of the song that achieved the most chart success, reaching No. 9 in the UK singles chart in 1967.
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Notable CoversAmong the more noted covers are those by Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Cash, in particular, included the song on his 2002 album "American IV: The Man Comes Around", and the song was later included on the soundtrack for the 2005 biopic "Walk the Line."
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InfluenceThe song's enduring popularity is a testament to Paxton's influential role in American folk music. Many contemporary singer-songwriters, such as John Prine and Steve Earle, have cited him as a significant influence.
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Legacy"Last Thing On My Mind" still continues to remain popular, proved by the countless renditions of the song on websites like YouTube and even in contemporary folk circles. Considering this, the song has solidified its place in the music history and gives Tom Paxton an immortal stature.
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Citation
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"Last Thing on My Mind Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/18381500/Tom+Paxton/Last+Thing+on+My+Mind>.
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