That Summer

Album: The Chase (1992)
  • I went to work for her that summer
    A teenage kid so far from home
    She was a lonely widowed woman
    Hell bent to make it on her own
    We were a thousand miles from nowhere
    Wheat fields as far as I could see
    Both needing something from each other
    Not knowing yet what that might be

    'Til she came to me one evening
    Hot cup of coffee and a smile
    In a dress that I was certain
    She hadn't worn in quite a while
    There was a difference in her laughter
    There was a softness in her eyes
    And on the air there was a hunger, girl
    Even a boy could recognize

    She had a need to feel the thunder
    To chase the lightning from the sky
    To watch a storm with all its wonder
    Raging in her lover's eyes
    She had to ride the heat of passion
    Like a comet burning bright
    Rushing headlong in the wind
    Out where only dreams have been
    Burning both ends of the night

    That summer wind was all around me
    Nothing between us but the night
    When I told her that I'd never
    She softly whispered, "That's alright"
    And then I felt her hands of leather
    Turn to velvet in a touch
    There's never been another summer
    When I have ever learned as much

    She had a need to feel the thunder
    To chase the lightnin' from the sky
    To watch a storm with all its wonder
    Ragin' in her lovers eyes
    She had to ride the heat of passion
    Like a comet burnin' bright
    Rushin' headlong in the wind
    Out where only dreams have been
    Burnin' both ends of the night

    I often think about that summer
    The sweat, the moonlight and the lace
    And I have rarely held another
    When I haven't seen her face
    And every time I pass a wheat field
    And watch it dancin' with the wind
    Although I know it isn't real
    I swear inside I feel
    Her hungry arms again

    She had a need to feel the thunder
    To chase the lightnin' from the sky
    To watch a storm with all its wonder
    Ragin' in her lover's eyes
    She had to ride the heat of passion
    Like a comet burnin' bright
    Rushin' headlong in the wind
    Out where only dreams have been
    Burnin' both ends of the night

    Yeah, rushin' headlong in the wind
    Out where only dreams have been
    Burnin' both ends of the night Writer/s: Patrick Alger, Sandy Mahl, Troyal Brooks
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

  • Scarlet From Anywhere from The KitchenThis is a great song. It's astonishing that people have misinterpreted the lyrics the way they have. It makes t wonder about what they have been taught about the human race; about men and women. At 18 if you can defend the nation ........
    Not a child.
  • Jenni from NebraskaYou tightly wound people need to skip by this song. If you aren't going to understand it, or really listen to what it's saying. Her hands of leather doesn't mean she's OLD, it means she worked her land HERSELF! Have you ever met a woman who did all things herself? Yes, she was older, yes, he was 18. But they both made the choice, made the decision. He wasn't drunk neither was she. He cherished the memory always. If you want to call her sick because he was 18, best call out the military on allowing "children" to fight for your country.
  • Jacquelyn Fraley from Leander, TxIncredible song lyrics. The song/imagery move me every time I hear it. There are so many different comments. It just goes to show you the uniqueness of individuality. I’m pretty sure there’s not a songwriter alive that doesn’t envy the creativity exemplified in these lyrics. Love love love
  • William from AlabamaThis is one the most we'll written beautiful songs I believe I've ever heard. I remember being 17 with a lady of 36 it was one of the greatest evenings of my life. I will always remember.
  • Alex from Idaho I read the comments and they are so stupid. He is 18 in this song so however old she is doesn’t matter because it’s legal weather it’s even true or not. Some of you must have no idea what kinds of songs are written today. Songs about rape, murder, drugs, etc... This song is nowhere near that level of most “songs” today. People find everything to complain about these days even a good Garth brooks song.
  • Buddy from FloridaAn 18 year old is not a child. One cannot be both a child and an adult. So which is it? Furthermore I think this song points out the hypocrisy within our society. It seems to be socially acceptable for an older woman to be with a younger man. but let the rules in this song be reversed and Garth probably would have went to prison for kiddie p***. I remember I was a child when this song came out and how much every woman loved this song. but yet as a junior in high school I dated a freshman. I can't tell you how angry the women around me got for that. I was called a pedophile in a cradle robber. To clarify I was 17 she was 15. What this proved to me is it people really just need to mind their own business. So long as the letter of the law is being followed and the two are genuinely in love it's no one else's concern. So how about you sweep the dust off of your own back porch before you go sweep and round others.
  • Shannon from Oakdale I felt so weird hearing this song tonight. If it were opposite, it would be so bad!
  • Tracy French from OregonIt's actually about Garth and his ex wife and mother of his children. She even helped write it..
  • Catherine from OklahomaI HATE when this song comes on. I feel it is a very poor tasteful song, where an older woman takes advantage of a younger child and it’s disgusting. Worst song I think he’s ever written! Makes me want to puke. He can’t say it was about a senior and he was a junior - her hands of leather. Maybe a senior citizen and that’s disturbing. If he was my child I would have to go kick some old lady ass for molesting my child.
  • Veronica from TexasI wish stations would quit playing this song! It’s gross and about an old lady taking advantage of a child!!
  • Jeff from MnThat is not the correct use of the word paradox.
  • Amanda from Grand Rapids, MiProbably one of my favorite Garth Brooks songs.
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