The Last Thing On My Mind

Tom Paxton

About The Last Thing On My Mind

"The Last Thing on My Mind" is a song written by American musician and singer-songwriter Tom Paxton in the early 1960s and recorded first by Paxton in 1964. It is based on the traditional lament song "The Leaving of Liverpool". The song was released on Paxton's 1964 album Ramblin' Boy, which was his first album released on Elektra Records. The song remains one of Paxton's best-known compositions.


Year:
2007
3:05
77 

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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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Tom Paxton

Thomas Richard "Tom" Paxton (born October 31, 1937) is an American folk singer and singer-songwriter who has been writing, performing and recording music for fifty years. In 2009, Paxton received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. more »

3 fans

Written by: Tom Paxton

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Songwriter and Artist
"The Last Thing On My Mind" is a song written and performed by American folk singer-songwriter Tom Paxton.
Release Date
The song was first released in 1964 on Paxton's album "Ramblin' Boy."
Song Theme
The song is popularly known to express regret over a failed relationship, signaling the narrator's realization that he wasn't as attentive as he should've been.
Popular Covers
Over the years, many artists have covered the song including Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, and The Move among others.
Billboard Charting
The song charted on the Billboard Hot 100 when it was covered by the country duo, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, peaking at number seven in 1967.
Remarkable Accolade
In 2009, Tom Paxton was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, which is a testament to the influential nature of songs like "The Last Thing On My Mind."
Folk Revival Contribution
The song played a critical role in the American folk music revival in the mid-1960s, gaining extensive radio play and recognition.
Lyrics' Impact
The phrase "I could have loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind" from the song’s refrain has been cited as one of the most emotive lines in folk music.
Iconic Chorus
The song’s chorus "But I've got reason 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" is popularly recognized and has been singled out for its emotional depth.
Love and Regret Theme
Despite the upbeat tempo of the song, the lyrics express a deep sense of regret, analysis has uncovered layers of complexity, making it a fascinating study in contrast.
Influence on other Musicians
The song's popularity was such that it heavily influenced other musicians in the folk music genre, serving as a sort of template for how to convey personal emotion in a relatable way.
Use in Politics
In a less common use for songs, "The Last Thing on My Mind" was notably used in a political context by the Liberal Democrats during the 2005 UK General Election campaign.
Timelessness
Despite being released decades ago, "The Last Thing On My Mind" continues to resonate with modern listeners, attesting to its timelessness and universal appeal.

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