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Tim McGraw, 'Grown Men Don't Cry' - Story Behind the Lyrics

Tim McGrawSongwriter Tom Douglas talks with The Boot about the inspiration he and and co-writer Steve Seskin shared in writing Tim McGraw's 'Grown Men Don't Cry.' The song was the first single off Tim's album, 'Set This Circus Down,' and reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

I had gone to the grocery store one day, had parked my car and was walking into the store when I saw this woman talking on a pay phone. She had mascara tears running down her face, and her little boy was weaving in and out of her legs while she was talking on the phone ... and she looked like an ice cream cone, melting. I went in the store, got my groceries, came back out, and wondered what happened to them. And then I passed by a car, and they were in it. And in the back of the car were newspapers and Chef Boyardee cans.

And I thought, what should I do? And I did nothing except get back in my car and go home. And I was haunted by my paralysis and inability to do anything about that. And that feeling started this song when I sat down to write with Steve. I had that first verse, and actually the second vignette was more Steve's life than it was mine ... about putting the rose on the grave and talking to the wind. And then the third verse was kind of a combination of both of our lives, but being tied together by singing, "I don't know why they say grown men don't cry."


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76 Comments

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llywd

Just for you stupid people it was the songwriter and another thing Tim recently was talking in an interview and said he doesn't even know who writes the songs he picks for his album till after the fact, after he has recorded them. They are submitted to him without a name, he doesn't want to know the writer till after the fact cause it might influence in picking the song.

March 17 2010 at 12:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
natalie

It doesn't do much good to recognize need if you're not willing to try and do something about it.


P.S. Successful song writers make MORE than some of the singers. Singers have money sunk into their careers by the music companies, and have to pay it back..they make very little unless they make it HUGE , OR there is a glitch in the contract , as in the case of Tim McGraw. That's why so many of them come and go. They last long enough to pay back the greedy music industry!

March 16 2010 at 8:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Scott

I am shocked at how stupid people are....enough said...I won't comment any more. You idiots go ahead and be judgemental when you have absolutely no clue. For the last time...why blame Tim? It's a great song. What kind of idiot would he be to not record the song? He most likely had no clue of the story of WHY it was written...just that it was a great song....idiots! The record company picks the dam songs...not the artist! get a clue!

March 15 2010 at 9:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dsmyd4u

I"m in "shock" and this is so very, very sad. This pathetic , greedy, songwriter, and his pal.....plus, Tim McGraw, taking the song.......SHAME on ALL THREE of YOU. There is a day coming whether here on earth or in Heaven. Your REAL reward will be later fellas. I'm ashamed to be called Southern! And, I'd be ashamed to tell t his story if it were me !!! If I ever hear this song (wont be listening for it) it will turn my stomach. Tim McGraw has never been my favorite and he "flaunts" anyway.......and, now, yes, he "sealed the deal" for me. He is party to this whether he saw the mother and her child or not.

March 15 2010 at 9:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
briteyez44

Songwriter Tom Douglas talks with The Boot about the inspiration he and and co-writer Steve Seskin shared in writing NOT TIM McGRAW!!!

March 15 2010 at 9:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kenzie

You people commenting are idiots. Read the damn article. The VERY FIRST LINE states that this happened to the songwriter, NOT Tim McGraw. Learn to read.

March 15 2010 at 9:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Scott

typo actually*

March 15 2010 at 9:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Scott

READ people...Tim was not the writer. I know Tim personally. It was the writer who did nothing...NOT Tim. I'm not some corporate A-hole trying to make Tim look good...just a guy who used to know him. He's not a bad guy. Tim just liked the song so he recorded it. People need to actullay pay attention to what they are reading

March 15 2010 at 9:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sandy

I can't believe your comment. A ten car crash with blood and guts, a stabbing right in front of you. That might illicit a frozen feeling or being gripped with paralysis but a hungry child, give me a break. If this smuck didn't immediately pull out a couple of dollars at least to help, he's was telling this story just like all the songs he writes== for the effect and the attention and the money it brings him. Wake up bozo and point your finger in the right direction and take it out of your present location.

March 15 2010 at 9:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sandy

I don't care who the heck it was-songwriter, star, please do not share a story like that and tell me you were too paralyzed to put a couple of dollars in that childs hands. The words that you write mean nothing to me now as you obviously have no heart. I see Tom Douglas as the song writer and you can be sure I am not buying that song.

March 15 2010 at 8:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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