"How Can I Be Sure" by Ernest Tubb is a poignant country ballad that explores the themes of love, trust, and heartbreak. The lyrics express the narrator's uncertainty and confusion about their partner's feelings and intentions. The song begins with the narrator expressing their fear of being hurt once more by their partner's broken promises and unfulfilled vows. Despite being repeatedly told "I love you" in the past, they question whether they can believe those words now. The narrator reveals that they often dream about being in their partner's loving embrace, reminiscing about the happiness they once experienced together. However, each time they let their guard down and trust their partner, someone else comes into the picture, leading to feelings of betrayal and doubting their partner's true care and affection. The narrator feels like a mere object that their partner plays with, emphasizing their vulnerability and the cycle of heartbreak they go through. They are aware of the power their partner has over their heart, as they make them believe in their love only to leave them in pain once again. Despite the pain and uncertainty, the narrator admits that they cannot let go of their feelings for their partner. They acknowledge that their love for their partner is deeply embedded in their heart and that they foolishly continue to hold onto hope, always being there with open arms, ready to welcome them back. They wonder if they can trust their partner to stay away this time, questioning if they will truly leave them for good. Overall, "How Can I Be Sure" illustrates the struggle of navigating a relationship filled with broken promises and the longing for reassurance and genuine love. The song portrays the vulnerabilities and insecurities that can arise when trust is repeatedly broken, leaving the narrator torn between their feelings for their partner and the fear of getting hurt once more.
