Chris Staples is a singer and songwriter from Pensacola, Florida. He was th… Read Full Bio ↴Chris Staples is a singer and songwriter from Pensacola, Florida. He was the vocalist and guitarist of the indie rock band Twothirtyeight. He was one of the original members in 1995 and stayed with the band until April 2003, when it broke up because the members wanted to pursue individual ambitions. Staples independently recorded the acoustic albums Panama, and Burned and Blistered. In 2004, Staples released Blackest Hair, Bluest Eyes which was a compilation of both his earlier releases with two additional songs. In 2005, Staples went on to form the indie rock band Discover America and move to Seattle, Washington where he engineered, produced, and recorded Discover America's first album, Psychology.

Always on My Mind
Chris Staples Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

So much water
Underneath the bridge
Seems like only yesterday
We were only kids
Funny how some little thing
Can just take you back
Some perfume or pop song
Or penguin paper bag

You are always on my mind
Always on my mind
Even after all this time
You are always on my mind

I didn't know you then
How could I know you now
I can't adjust my memory
I won't let go of you somehow

You are always on my mind
Always on my mind
Even after all this time
You are always on my mind

(Solo)

You are always on my mind
Always on my mind

Even after all this time
You are always on my mind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chris Staples's song Always on My Mind talk about a powerful and ever-present memory, a memory of someone who is always on his mind. The opening lines "So much water underneath the bridge, seems like only yesterday we were only kids" suggest that the singer has known this person for a long time, perhaps since childhood. He further adds that even the smallest things, like a particular scent or a song, can bring back this person's memories. It appears that the person he is talking about is no longer in his life, and he didn't even know them that well back in the day. Yet, he finds it hard to let go of the memory of this person because they always linger on his mind.

In the chorus, the singer repeats that this person is always on his mind regardless of the time that has passed. He admits that he didn't know them then, but it doesn't stop him from processing the memories he has of them. The final lines of the song are a clear message to this person that their memory is something he cherishes, and he won't forget them.

The song's lyrics tell a touching story of someone remembering a person from their past that meant a lot to them. The feeling of not being able to forget someone who has been close to you is something that many people can relate to. Even if you haven't encountered this exact situation, we all have memories of someone or something that we cannot shake.

Line by Line Meaning

So much water
There has been a lot of time and change that has occurred

Underneath the bridge
Time has passed and events have occurred, even if they may not be visible on the surface

Seems like only yesterday
Memories are still fresh in the mind, despite the passage of time

We were only kids
Memories are from a youthful time of ignorance and innocence

Funny how some little thing
It's interesting how even small things can trigger memories and emotions

Can just take you back
Memories have the power to transport you to a previous time and place

Some perfume or pop song
Certain scents or sounds can be associated with a specific memory or person

Or penguin paper bag
Even seemingly insignificant objects can hold sentimental value and memories

You are always on my mind
Despite time passing and changes occurring, thoughts and memories of this person remain frequent and consistent

Even after all this time
The passage of time has not lessened the intensity or frequency of these memories

I didn't know you then
The memories are from a time when there was no relationship or personal connection

How could I know you now
Despite the passage of time and potential changes, it's difficult to imagine the person being different from the past memories

I can't adjust my memory
The memories and emotions associated with this person are not easily changed or forgotten

I won't let go of you somehow
The memories of this person are important and meaningful, and letting go of them would be difficult

Writer(s): Wayne C. Thompson, Mark James, Johnny Christopher

Contributed by Ethan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Stroud

I think is should be paperback and in Penguin paperback book.

Comments from YouTube:

ALuxuriousRed

4y↑7

This song is truly a gem. The lyrics, the music, your voice, and the overall mood are all beautiful. Thank you for sharing it, Chris.

Chris Staples Music

1y↑3

Absolutely, sorry i took 3 years to reply. Thank you for the nice words

Raoul Duke Jr.

2y↑4

This album in its entirety is a masterpiece, through and through.
🌲🌲☀️💜🙏💜☀️🌲🌲

Chris Staples Music

1y↑2

Thank you my good man.

Raoul Duke Jr.

@Chris Staples Music a pleasure Chris 🙏

Mark

43w↑1

When I hear music like this, whilst listening to it, it adds up for all the suffering I've experienced throughout my life. Being Autistic and having had so much of my life pass me by through no fault of my own and despite my best efforts, has been a cruel hand dealt by whatever powers that be.

One of my only sources of pleasure, comes from good music. My library is always growing. Imo, this song is up there with the best songs I've ever heard when it comes to conveying the emotion of nostalgia perfectly, your inflection and the melody (and lyrics), are just perfect. I've been playing this song a bit lately, only found it again after hearing it a while ago and forgot about it somehow.

Thank you for sharing it with the world, it's trully remarkable.