“Thought You Should Know” is all about Morgan Wallen’s love for his mother and the work, time, and care she put into raising him.
An Ode to His Mom
Wallen co-wrote the song with the help of Miranda Lambert and Nicolle Galyon. In a Facebook post, Lambert said, “Proud to be a writer on a song about your mama. This is the first number-one song I’ve ever had as a writer. We did good that day y’all. Cheers friends.”
He uses a letter as a framing device, and there’s no question that the narrator’s character is a self-insert in this case. The song depicts Wallen himself composing the letter, and the intended recipient is none other than Lesli Wallen, his mom. The song came out just in time for Mother’s Day 2022, a gift from her son that she doubtlessly cherished.
The words are honest and raw, telling a family-oriented tale that doesn’t stray from personal matters. He acknowledges everything she sacrificed and expresses his gratitude and appreciation. Although it couldn’t be more personal, it becomes a story of every mother that could apply to moms everywhere.
Didn’t Have Time to Write a Short One
The lyrics take on a stream-of-consciousness style in which Wallen mentions whatever pops into his head, passing seemingly tangentially from point to point. This only serves to make the song feel more as if he’s actually writing a letter. Morgan Wallen sings about how he hasn’t visited as often as he feels he should. He explains how music and romance have kept him occupied, and admits he’s been living recklessly, overindulging in alcohol:
“What’s goin’ on, mama? / Something just dawned on me / I ain’t been home in some months / Been chasin’ songs and women / Makin’ some bad decisions / God knows I’m drinkin’ too much / Yeah, I know you’ve been worrying ’bout me / You’ve been losin’ sleep since ’93”
Wallen talks about the little things, like finding love, which his mother had apparently been praying for:
“I thought you should know / That all those prayers you thought you wasted on me / Must’ve finally made their way on through / I thought you should know / I got me a new girl down there in Jefferson City, and / She lets me fish whenever I want to / Yeah, I’m still proud of where I came from / Still your only damn son / Can you believe I’m on the radio? / Just thought you should know, thought you should know, thought you should know”
Family Matters
Morgan shares personal details and isn’t afraid to be vulnerable with his listeners as he very publicly addresses his mother. He tells her all about how much he misses her when he’s out touring, how he cares about her and how he’s extremely attached to her:
“Oh, by the way, mama, didn’t mean to ramble on ya / How’s everything back at home? / Yeah, how’s that garden comin’? / Is dad still doing dumb shit? / And how’d he keep you this long? / Yeah, I’m sorry that I called you so late / I just miss you, but anyways”
Lyrics
What’s goin’ on, mama?
Something just dawned on me
I ain’t been home in some months
Been chasin’ songs and women
Makin’ some bad decisions
God knows I’m drinkin’ too much
Yeah, I know you’ve been worrying ’bout me
You’ve been losin’ sleep since ’93
I thought you should know
That all those prayers you thought you wasted on me
Must’ve finally made their way on through
I thought you should know
I got me a new girl down there in Jefferson City, and
She lets me fish whenever I want to
Yeah, I’m still proud of where I came from
Still your only damn son
Can you believe I’m on the radio?
Just thought you should know, thought you should know, thought you should know
Oh, by the way, mama, didn’t mean to ramble on ya
How’s everything back at home?
Yeah, how’s that garden comin’?
Is dad still doing dumb shit?
And how’d he keep you this long?
Yeah, I’m sorry that I called you so late
I just miss you, but anyways
I thought you should know
That all those prayers you thought you wasted on me
Must’ve finally made their way on through
I thought you should know
I got me a new girl down there in Jefferson City, and
She lets me fish whenever I want to
Yeah, I’m still proud of where I came from
Still your only damn son
Can you believe I’m on the radio?
Just thought you should know, thought you should know, thought you should know
Yeah, I know you’ve been worrying ’bout me
You’ve been losing sleep since ’93
I thought you should know
That all those prayers you thought you wasted on me
Must’ve finally made their way on through
I thought you should know
That I really like this girl down in Jefferson City, and
Turns out she’s a lot like you
Yeah, I’m still proud of where I came from
Still your only damn son
The bus is leavin’ so I gotta roll
Just thought you should know, thought you should know, thought you should know
I thought you should know, thought you should know
I thought you should know, thought you should know, thought you should know
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Miranda Lambert / Morgan Wallen / Nicolle Galyon
Thought You Should Know lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc
