Finale
David Burns;Carol Channing;Shepard Coleman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Can't run away from you, dear
I've tried so hard but I fear
You'll always follow me near and far
Just when I think that I'm set
Just when I've learned to forget
I close my eyes, dear, and there you are

You keep coming back like a song

A song that keeps saying, remember

The sweet used-to-be
That was once you and me
Keeps coming back like an old melody

The perfume of roses in May
Returns to my room in December

From out of the past where forgotten things belong
You keep coming back like a song

Overall Meaning

In the Finale of David Burns, Carol Channing, and Shepard Coleman's song, "You Keep Coming Back Like a Song," the singer expresses her inability to escape the memories of a past love. She has tried to move on, but the love always seems to come back to her mind. The imagery used in the lyrics illustrates how the memories of a past love can linger even when the relationship has ended. The metaphor used of the love being like an old song that keeps replaying over and over shows how the memory of the love has become ingrained in her mind.

Line by Line Meaning

Can't run away from you, dear
I cannot escape from you, my beloved

I've tried so hard but I fear
Trying my best but it seems impossible

You'll always follow me near and far
You will always be close by, no matter the distance

Just when I think that I'm set
Just when I believe I have moved on

Just when I've learned to forget
Just when I have finally let go

I close my eyes, dear, and there you are
Whenever I close my eyes, you're all I see

You keep coming back like a song
You keep returning to me like a melody

A song that keeps saying, remember
A tune that reminds me of unforgettable memories

The sweet used-to-be
The things we had that now remain only in memories

That was once you and me
The relationship that was once ours

Keeps coming back like an old melody
It keeps returning to me like a familiar tune