"The Race is On" is a song originally written and recorded by George Jones in 1964, but it gained further popularity when Waylon Jennings covered it in 1966. The song tells the story of heartbreak and the pain of losing a lover to someone new. The lyrics depict the narrator's deep sadness and loneliness, feeling as if their heart has been shattered. They admit that they are struggling to cope with the loss and may break down and cry, unable to hide their sorrow. The chorus emphasizes the metaphor of a race, comparing it to a competition for love. The narrator acknowledges that they are losing in this race, with their heartaches on the inside, desperately trying to hold back tears. They realize that true love has been lost to someone else, and they are left feeling like the winner of the race has ultimately lost everything. The song also touches on the fear and anxiety the narrator experiences each morning, dreading the possibility of waking up and realizing that their lover has left them. It further reveals their pain and disappointment when someone new comes along and wins their former lover's affection, leaving the narrator in second place. Overall, "The Race is On" captures the raw emotions and heartache that come with lost love and the feeling of being left behind.
