Meaning and Lyrics of What Are You Listening To? by Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton’s song “What Are You Listening To?” is a poignant exploration of heartbreak and emotional connection through the lens of the music people choose to hear during different stages of their lives. The song dives into a blend of nostalgia, longing, and the perpetual question of how others cope with loss and love. Let’s break down each part to elucidate its intricate layers of meaning.

Verse 1:

“I put that record on

Girl, you know what song

And I let it play again and again

You’re in every line

Takes me back in time

Yeah, tonight I’m wondering”

In the opening verse, the narrator sets a reflective and somber tone by describing how replaying a certain record—or song—evokes vivid memories of a past relationship. The listener can feel the sense of nostalgia and recognition in the words “Girl, you know what song,” immediately creating a palpable connection to a shared history. The act of listening to the song “again and again” suggests an inability to move past these memories, reinforcing the theme of lingering attachment.

Chorus:

“What are you listening to?

Is it a cover band?

In some college town bar

Where it’s na, na, na’s

And air guitars

Or is it?

Something to get you through

Just a sad song playing on the radio station

Tears still falling

Heart’s still breaking

‘Cause you’re hanging on

Or is it a love song?

About someone new?

What are you listening to?”

The chorus reveals the core of the narrative’s emotional inquiry. By asking, “What are you listening to?” the narrator is really asking how the other person is dealing with the breakup. The possibilities provided— a “cover band in some college town bar,” a “sad song,” or a “love song about someone new”—explore different emotional states. The cover band represents casual, possibly escapist fun, the sad song signifies ongoing sorrow, and the love song implies that the person may have moved on to a new relationship. Each scenario builds a rich tapestry of the human experience related to dealing with love and loss.

Verse 2:

“I like to believe

That you’re just like me

Trying to figure out how a good thing goes bad

I don’t know

I can’t let it go

Yeah, it’s about to drive me mad”

In this verse, the narrator clings to the hope that the former lover is also grappling with the breakup. This shared struggle “trying to figure out how a good thing goes bad” intensifies the emotional depth. The admission, “I can’t let it go,” and “it’s about to drive me mad” portrays the narrator’s slow slide into despair and confusion, echoing a universal sentiment felt during heartbreak.

Chorus:

Similar to the first chorus, the repetition amplifies the lingering questions and uncertainty about the ex-partner’s emotional state. It underscores just how pervasive the thoughts of what the other person might be feeling can become.

Bridge:

“Is it a feel good song

Gets you driving too fast

The one that gets you moving

On past the past

Or the kind that you can’t help singing along

Singing woah-oh-oh-ohhh

If it’s headphones on

On a downtown train

Or the window seat

On an outbound plane

Is it LA sunny?

Or Memphis blue?

I wish I knew

I wish I knew”

The bridge explores even more diverse possibilities for what the mysterious “you” could be listening to. It showcases the spectrum of emotional reactions ranging from upbeat, fast-driving songs to melancholic tunes. The imagery of “headphones on a downtown train” or “the window seat on an outbound plane” vividly paints scenarios of introspection and solitude. The locales “LA sunny” versus “Memphis blue” provide further symbolic contrast between optimistic and melancholic states of mind, crystallizing the narrator’s desire to understand and connect.

Chorus:

The final chorus reiterates the burning question, bringing the narrative full circle. By repeating the same worries and wonders about what the other person might be listening to, it emphasizes how such thoughts can dominate one’s mind post-breakup.

In conclusion, Chris Stapleton’s “What Are You Listening To?” isn’t just a question about musical taste; it’s a deep, heartfelt inquiry into the emotional states of others as they cope with past relationships. The song brilliantly captures the universal experience of wondering about an ex-partner’s life and feelings, adding richness to the human condition and our shared connections through music.