I’m Already There

Country music is known for its abilities to tell stories in their songs.  Most songs have metaphors in them but are pretty common in country songs.  One of my favorite country artists, Lonestar, makes a good use of metaphors in his song called “I’m Already There.”  The song is about a man who is away from his family because he is in the war. He calls his wife to hear her say she loves him but then hears their kids in the background playing and it brings tears to his eyes, meaning that he misses his family. His daughter gets on the phone and asks when he is coming home, meaning he is missed in return.  He answers his daughters question by saying “Take a look around. I’m the sunshine in your hair. I’m the shadow on the ground” to let her know he is there in spirit even though he is not physically there. In the next verse he says “I’m the whisper in the wind. I’m your imaginary friend,” yet another metaphor. They both know that in reality he isn’t any of those things, they just like to think that because they miss each other and he wants her to know he will always be there.  When his wife gets back on the phone she tells him “But I know that I'll be in your dreams tonight,” meaning that she knows that she is in his thoughts. In the later verse he tells her “I’m the beat in your heart,” symbolizing the love that they share which is a feeling that can never be removed whether he is there or not. He may be thousands of miles away but he will be with his family where ever they are because of the love they have for each other. The title “I’m Already There” represents the emotional feeling of his presence and the metaphors in the song help accomplish what that feeling is.

I'm Already There Lyrics
Songwriters: Myers, Frank; Baker, Gary; McDonald, Richie;

He called her on the road from a lonely cold hotel room
Just to hear her say, "I love you one" more time
But when he heard the sound
Of the kids laughin' in the background

He had to wipe away a tear from his eye
A little voice came on the phone
Said, "Daddy when you comin' home?"
He said the first thing that came to his mind

I'm already there
Take a look around
I'm the sunshine in your hair
I'm the shadow on the ground

I'm the whisper in the wind
I'm your imaginary friend
And I know, I'm in your prayers
Oh I'm already there

She got back on the phone
Said, "I really miss you darlin'"
"Don't worry about the kids they'll be alright
Wish I was in your arms, lyin' right there beside you"

"But I know that I'll be in your dreams tonight
And I'll gently kiss your lips
Touch you with my fingertips
So turn out the light and close your eyes"

I'm already there
Don't make a sound
I'm the beat in your heart
I'm the moonlight shinin' down

I'm the whisper in the wind
And I'll be there 'til the end
Can you feel the love that we share?
Oh I'm already there

We may be a thousand miles apart
But I'll be with you wherever you are

I'm already there
Take a look around
I'm the sunshine in your hair
I'm the shadow on the ground

I'm the whisper in the wind
And I'll be there 'til the end
Can you feel the love that we share?
Oh I'm already there
Oh I'm already there

I'm Already There by Lonestar