About the song
In the world of country music, there are few songs that have stood the test of time as well as “Heartaches by the Number”. Written by the legendary Harlan Howard in 1959, this song has become a beloved classic, captivating audiences with its poignant lyrics and memorable melody. The song’s success was immediate, with the sheet music becoming a best-seller in both the United States and Britain in January 1960.
The song’s narrative is a poignant exploration of the pain and longing that can accompany a lost love. The narrator recounts three heartaches, each one a painful reminder of the love that has slipped away. The first heartache is the initial departure of the lover, followed by the second round of anguish when the lover returns but never means to stay. The third and final heartache is the narrator’s realization that the lover has lost their way, leaving the narrator to wait in vain for a knock on the door.
Despite the overwhelming sense of heartache, the narrator’s declaration in the chorus – “Each day I love you more” – is a testament to the enduring power of love. The song’s chorus also highlights the bittersweet nature of the narrator’s emotions, as he acknowledges that his lover loves him “less every day”. Yet, the narrator is resolute in his devotion, stating that the day he stops counting his heartaches is the day his world would end.
The most well-known version of “Heartaches by the Number” is the recording by Guy Mitchell, which was released in August 1959. This version spent two weeks at the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1959, cementing its place as a country music classic. Mitchell’s recording was a game-changer, marking his second pop chart-topper and his last top-40 single on the Billboard charts.
Interestingly, the original mono recording of “Heartaches by the Number” has never been released in stereo, and only appeared on a limited compact disc release. The song has also been featured in various forms of media, including the popular video game Fallout: New Vegas, which uses a 1980 re-recording made for K-Tel records.
In conclusion, “Heartaches by the Number” is a timeless country classic that continues to captivate audiences with its poignant lyrics and memorable melody. The song’s exploration of love, loss, and longing is a universal theme that transcends generations, making it a must-listen for fans of country music and beyond.
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Lyrics
Heartaches by the number
Troubles by the score
Everyday you love me less
Each day I love you more
Yes, I’ve got heartaches by the number
A love that I can’t win
But the day that I stop counting
That’s the day my world will end
Heartache number one was when you left me
I never knew that I could hurt this way
And heartache number two was when you come back again
You came back but never meant to stay
Yes, I’ve got heartaches by the number
Troubles by the score
Everyday you love me less
Each day I love you more
Yes, I’ve got heartaches by the number
A love that I can’t win
But the day that I stop counting
That’s the day my world will end
Heartache number three was when you called me
And said that you were comin’ back to stay
With hopeful heart I waited for your knock on the door
I waited but you must have lost your way
Yes, I’ve got heartaches by the number
Troubles by the score
Everyday you love me less
Each day I love you more
Yes, I’ve got heartaches by the number
A love that I can’t win
But the day that I stop counting
That’s the day my world will end