About The Song
“Smoke Rings in the Dark” is a song written by Rivers Rutherford and Houston Robert and recorded by American country music artist Gary Allan. It was released in August 1999 as the first single and title track from Allan’s 1999 album of the same name. The song peaked at number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in February 2000. It also reached 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became his highest-charting single in Canada at number 5.
The song deals with the pain of unrequited love. The narrator states that all he will leave his significant other like “smoke rings in the dark.”
Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that “the production, songwriting, and performance combine to create a record that leaves a stunning impression.” Taylor calls Allan’s performance “wonderfully nuanced” and saying that the production has a “decidedly retro feel.”
The music video was directed by Chris Rogers.
“Smoke Rings in the Dark” debuted at number 71 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for the week of August 14, 1999.
Video
Lyrics
Well, I won’t make you tell me
What I’ve come to understand
You’re a certain kind of woman
I’m a different kind of man
I’ve tried to make you love me
You’ve tried to find a spark
Of the flame that burned and somehow turned to
To smoke rings in the dark
The loneliness within me
Takes a heavy toll
‘Cause it burns as slow as whiskey
Through an empty achin’ soul
And the night is like a dagger
Long and cold and sharp
As I sit here on the front steps
Blowin’ smoke rings in the dark
I know I must be going
‘Cause love’s already gone
And all I’m taking with me
Are the pieces of my heart
And all I’ll leave are smoke rings in the dark
The rain falls where it wants to
The wind blows where it will
Everything on earth goes somewhere
But I swear we’re standin’ still
So I’m not gonna wake you
I’ll go easy on your heart
I’ll just touch your face and drift away
Like smoke rings in the dark
I know I must be going
‘Cause love’s already gone
And all I’m taking with me
Are the pieces of my heart
And all I’ll leave are smoke rings in the dark