About The Song
Mistakes is a country song written by Richard Feldman and recorded by Don Williams. Feldman crafted the track as a straightforward ballad about regret and persistence in love. Williams, already a major figure in country music by the early 1980s with his warm baritone and relaxed delivery, included it on his twelfth studio album. The recording captures the simple acoustic arrangements typical of his work, produced by Williams himself alongside Garth Fundis.
The album Listen to the Radio appeared on March 26, 1982, through MCA Records. Running just over 31 minutes, it became Williams’ twelfth studio release and reached number 6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart while also appearing at number 166 on the Billboard 200. The project mixed original material with the kind of understated storytelling that defined much of Williams’ output during this successful period. Mistakes sits as the sixth track on the record, lasting two minutes and 54 seconds.
By the time of this release, Don Williams had established himself as one of country music’s most consistent hitmakers. Born in 1939 in Floydada, Texas, the singer known as the Gentle Giant had already scored multiple number-one singles on the country charts. His approach favored gentle melodies over flashy production, allowing songs like Mistakes to blend seamlessly into his catalog. The album continued that pattern, building on the momentum from earlier MCA releases.
Mistakes came out as the second single from the album in August 1982. It climbed to number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and matched that position on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. The B-side was another album cut titled Fool, Fool Heart. This performance added to Williams’ long run of top-ten hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s, showing his ability to turn reflective material into radio success without changing his signature style.
The lyrics follow a man who brushes aside warnings from friends and acquaintances about reuniting with a former partner. People tell him he is crazy for trying again after leaving once, yet he insists he can handle the consequences. He acknowledges the risk but returns anyway, repeating that he does not need outside advice and can make his own mistakes. The chorus drives home this independent stance with a calm, determined tone that suited Williams’ vocal delivery perfectly.
The track featured session players including Billy Sanford on acoustic guitar, Danny Flowers on electric guitar, and Kenny Malone on drums, giving it a clean, country-pop edge common on Williams’ early-1980s recordings. It stood alongside the album’s title track Listen to the Radio as part of a strong set of singles. Williams continued recording and touring into the following decade, maintaining his place in country music until health issues led him to step back. He passed away in 2017 at age 78.
Mistakes remains an example of how Williams brought quiet introspection to chart success. The song’s message about owning personal choices resonated with listeners at the time and has stayed part of his extensive catalog of thoughtful ballads that crossed from folk roots into mainstream country.
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Lyric
People tell me, boy you’re crazy
Some people say that I’m nuts
For trying to get back together with you baby
They say that once is enough
I never should have left you
‘Cause now I need you
Sometimes it happens that way
I come back like a fool who’s believing
No matter what they might say
I don’t want to hear another word
Don’t need your well thought out advice
Though I thank you all for being kind
I can make mistakes, myself just fine
I’ve got a good friend
Who knows my trouble
He thinks I’m wasting my time
Go out and have some fun
She’s not the only one
But I can’t leave her behind
So, I don’t want to hear another word
Don’t need your well thought out advice
Though I thank you all for being kind
I can make mistakes, myself just fine
I don’t want to hear another word
Don’t need your well thought out advice
Though I thank you all for being kind
I can make mistakes, myself just fine
No, I don’t want to hear another word
Don’t need your well thought out advice
Though I thank you all for being kind
I can make mistakes, myself just fine