About The Song
Clint Black is undeniably among the numerous hit-makers in the country music industry. When his song “Nothin’ but the Taillights” was released in January 1988, his fans have yet another tune to fall for. On this day, that song we came to love turns 20. You read it right, folks! It’s been 20 years now since this song became No. 1 on the country charts. Yet, the two decades that have passed did not even change a bit of the song’s nostalgic effect on us. When we listen to it today, it feels as if it’s only yesterday when this hit was dominating the airwaves.
The song was released as the third single and the title track of his album of the same name. It’s one of the many songs that Black co-wrote and recorded which performed so well on the music charts. Black shared the song’s success with Steve Wariner who helped him pen the lyrics. Though the song employed a sad theme, many fans from the US and Canada became fascinated with it. The single topped both the US Hot Country Songs and the Canada Country Tracks charts making it Black’s 11th No. 1 song. It enjoyed the top of Hot Country Songs chart for two weeks. The song’s album was also the singer’s second-to-last on RCA Records and his last platinum album.
Video
Lyrics
Blue Kentucky highway, headin’ for the line
She hadn’t said a word all night, but the wheels are turnin’ in her mind
Now, I was ridin’ shotgun and I knew things had gone awry
Just as soon as she dropped me off at the side of the road
And she let that gravel fly
Now, I’m walkin’ in the moonlight
Seein’ nothin’ but the taillights
And that’s a pair of taillights I may never see again
She hit me with the left and right
Showin’ me nothin’ but the taillights
That’s about as lonely as the highway’s ever been
Back here with my thumb out in the wind
Was it somethin’ that I did to her
Or the things I never said?
I wonder if the way we were was only in my head
Now, if I even make it back to town
Before the sun comes up
I’m gonna hit every parking spot around
‘Til I find that pick-up truck
Now, I’m talkin’ in the moonlight
Seein’ nothin’ but the taillights
And that’s a pair of taillights I may never see again
She hit me with the left and right
Showin’ me nothin’ but the taillights
And that’s about as lonely as a highway’s ever been
Back here with my thumb out in the wind
Well, I’ll bet right now, she’s laughin’ at how
She brought me to my knees
But she won’t be laughin’ half as loud
When she gives me back my keys
She’ll be walkin’ in the moonlight
Seein’ nothin’ but the taillights
That’s a pair of taillights she won’t ever see again
She hit me with a left and right
And with nothin’ but the taillights
I know that’s about as lonely as a highway’s ever been
Back here with my thumb out in the wind
There she goes
Here I come
Leave me out here in the middle of nowhere
Drive this