The song "A Little Bitty Tear" by George Jones is about a person who tries to put on a brave face and pretend they don't care when their partner announces that they are leaving. The narrator initially says they won't feel any sorrow and will actually laugh when the partner walks away. They even plan to have someone new waiting to say goodbye. However, as the partner's departure nears, the narrator realizes that they were just putting up a front. They admit that they couldn't hide their true emotions and a "little bitty tear" betrayed their inner sadness and disappointment. The tear ruined their act of being a clown, as their true feelings were revealed. The narrator explains that everything went according to plan, and they even felt that they could handle the breakup. But as soon as the partner walks out the door with their belongings, the narrator can't help but feel overwhelmed by sadness, which is symbolized by the tear that escaped their eyes contrary to their intentions. Overall, the song portrays the struggle of trying to appear strong and unaffected by a breakup, but ultimately failing to hide the pain and heartbreak. The "little bitty tear" represents the vulnerability and emotional turmoil that the narrator couldn't suppress, despite their efforts to put on a brave face.
