The song "Fortune I've Gone Through" by George Jones is about the regrets and heartbreak the narrator experiences after losing a loved one. The lyrics reflect on the foolish choices made and the consequences faced as a result of those choices. The narrator starts by acknowledging the worthless and foolish pleasures they have indulged in. These pleasures have brought them temporary happiness but now seem meaningless in the face of losing their loved one. The line "I sincerely lost a fortune when I lost you" highlights the immense value and significance of the person they lost. The use of the word "fortune" suggests that this person was everything to them, and their absence has brought about great loss and sadness. The narrator expresses a desire to go back in time and change their decisions if they were given permission to do so. They regret not realizing the importance of the person they lost until it was too late. The line "No one knows the fortune I've gone through" implies that the narrator's pain and regret are deeply personal and difficult to express. The repetition of the lines "I never knew that I could waste it" and "Like a fool I didn't know my world was you" emphasizes the narrator's lack of understanding and appreciation for what they had until it was gone. They now understand the true worth of their loved one and the extent of their own foolishness. The narrator reflects on the intangible nature of love and how it cannot be measured or quantified. The line "There's no way to count or measure, For like the cost of love on paper" suggests that love cannot be calculated or evaluated like a material possession or monetary wealth. The pain and loss experienced cannot be easily understood or expressed. Overall, "Fortune I've Gone Through" is a melancholic song that explores the regret and heartbreak that comes from losing someone important. The lyrics convey the narrator's realization of the value they placed on their loved one too late and the profound effect it has had on their life.
