The Local Memory
Danny Davis & Willie Nelson Lyrics
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And up and down our block there's not a sound
I close my eyes and search for peaceful slumber
And just then the local memory comes around
Piles of blues against the door to make sure sleep will come no more
She's the hardest working memory in this town
Turns out happiness again and then lets loneliness back in
Each day I say tonight I may escape her
I pretend I'm happy and never even frown
But at night I close my eyes and pray sleep finds me
But again the local memory comes around
Rids the house of all good news then sets out my crying shoes
What a faithful memory never lets me down
We're both up till light of day chasing happiness away
And each night the local memory comes around
Piles of blues against the door to make sure sleep will come no more
It's the hardest working memory in this town
Turns out happiness again and then lets loneliness back in
And each night the local memory comes around
And each night the local memory comes around
The lyrics of "The Local Memory" describe the inner conflict and struggle of the singer as they try to escape their painful memories at night. The singer is haunted by their past and is unable to find a peaceful sleep as the memories come back to them every night. In the first verse, the singer describes how their neighborhood is quiet and peaceful at night, yet they struggle to find the same inner peace.
The second verse portrays the singer's unsuccessful attempts at escaping their memories during the day. The singer pretends to be happy but is unable to escape the memories that torment them. The third and final verse describes how the memories take away any good news or hope and replace them with sadness and pain. The singer acknowledges that they are not alone in their struggle with the memories as they mention their "faithful memory" that never lets them down.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Local Memory" beautifully capture the inner turmoil that comes with dealing with painful memories. The song highlights how one's mind can be both their safe haven and their worst enemy.
Line by Line Meaning
The lights go out each evening at eleven
Every evening at eleven o'clock, the surroundings are engulfed in darkness
And up and down our block there's not a sound
The entire block, its inhabitants have retired for the night, and no noise or sound can be heard
I close my eyes and search for peaceful slumber
I am trying to sleep and find some peace in my mind
And just then the local memory comes around
As I drift off to sleep, my memories start to surface in my mind, especially the most vivid ones related to my local environment
Piles of blues against the door to make sure sleep will come no more
Reminiscences of moments of sadness and sorrowful events prevent me from falling asleep and keep me awake all night long
She's the hardest working memory in this town
The memory is consistent and strong, leaving a lasting impression on me, and preventing me from being able to move on
Turns out happiness again and then lets loneliness back in
One minute the memory brings me joy and happiness, and the next minute the feelings of loneliness floods my mind
And each night the local memory comes around
Every night without fail, my nearby experiences and memories come back to disrupt my slumber
Each day I say tonight I may escape her
Every morning, I try to convince myself that tonight, I will not be troubled by these intrusive memories haunting me every night
I pretend I'm happy and never even frown
I put on a facade of happiness and try not to show any signs of sadness or anguish to escape my thoughts
But at night I close my eyes and pray sleep finds me
In the night, I hope to fall asleep in hopes to avoid the painful memories that will otherwise consume me
Rids the house of all good news then sets out my crying shoes
Recollections of unfortunate incidents replace any happy news, leading me to prepare for a night of weeping and despair
What a faithful memory never lets me down
The memories of my past remain loyal and consistent, not giving any respite from their every night occurrence
We're both up till light of day chasing happiness away
I stay awake alongside these memories, unable to find peace, while they cause me immense sadness, resulting in us chasing away tranquility
And each night the local memory comes around
Every night, the same memories of my local community continue to come back and haunt my dreams once again
Piles of blues against the door to make sure sleep will come no more
The pile of melancholic memories against the door becomes an impenetrable barrier between me and a good night's rest
It's the hardest working memory in this town
This persisting memory remains present in my life night after night, forcing me to confront my most distressing recollections
Turns out happiness again and then lets loneliness back in
Despite the joy that these memories can after bring, they are unable to undo the immense sadness that they bring earlier in the night, causing me to feel more alone than ever
And each night the local memory comes around
To my great despair, the memories of my neighborhood persist, unrelenting every night
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIE NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind