The song "Shoulder to Shoulder" by George Jones is a love ballad about a person who wants to reconcile and make amends with their former lover. The lyrics describe a couple who used to be deeply in love, but due to the foolishness of one person, their relationship fell apart. The singer expresses their regret for causing the pain and taking away the other person's smile. They promise to bring back the love and happiness they once shared and treat the other person's heart tenderly. The singer acknowledges that others may say that fools never learn, but they hope the other person will give them another chance. The phrase "shoulder to shoulder, arm in arm" symbolizes unity, togetherness, and the strength of their love. Walking on cloud number nine signifies the blissful state they were in when they were together. Overall, the song conveys a sense of remorse, longing, and hope for reconciliation. The singer wants to repair their relationship and recapture the love they had once upon a time.