Keep It to Yourself
Elgins The Lyrics
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If only for a day
See if you can stand
The awful hurt I feel inside
Put yourself in my place
For just a little while
Live through the loneliness
I go through
And when you lose a little sleep at night
Cause you ain't been treated right
Then you know heartaches are sad
Sitting by the telephone
Being left all alone
Then you know why I'm feeling bad
Put yourself in my place
And when you're just about to go insane
Cause it hurts to love in vain
Ask a girl who's been in love
I believed your evil line
Now I'm left alone and crying
Alone to count the stars above
Put yourself in my place
If only for a day
See if you can stand
The awful emptiness
I feel inside
Put yourself in my place
Put yourself in my place
For just a little while
Why don't you try it
Why don't you try it
Why don't you try it baby
Put yourself in my place
If only for a day
Why don't you, why don't you
Why don't you try it
Why don't you try it
Why don't you try it baby
The lyrics to "Keep It To Yourself" by The Elgins are a plea for empathy and understanding from someone who has been left heartbroken and alone. The singer implores the listener to put themselves in their place, to try and understand the pain that they are feeling. They describe the feelings of loneliness and emptiness that they are experiencing, and ask the listener to imagine what it's like to be in their shoes for just a day.
The song is full of raw emotion and vulnerability, as the singer speaks candidly about their broken heart and the hurt that they are feeling. They describe the sleepless nights spent waiting by the phone, the frustration of being left alone, and the tears that they are shedding in private. The chorus serves as a rallying cry for the listener to empathize with the singer and to imagine what it's like to be in their position.
Overall, "Keep It To Yourself" is a powerful ballad that speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the longing for understanding and compassion from others.
Line by Line Meaning
Put yourself in my place
Imagine being in my shoes
If only for a day
Even if it's just for a temporary period
See if you can stand
Experience and endure
The awful hurt I feel inside
The intense pain and suffering that I am going through
Put yourself in my place
Again, imagine being in my shoes
For just a little while
For a brief moment of time
Live through the loneliness
Experience the isolation and lack of companionship
The endless emptiness
The perpetual feelings of emptiness and void
I go through
That I have to endure
And when you lose a little sleep at night
When you can't sleep because of emotional distress
Cause you ain't been treated right
Because someone has mistreated or wronged you
Then you know heartaches are sad
You understand the sadness that comes with heartache
Sitting by the telephone
Waiting by the phone for someone's call
Being left all alone
Feeling abandoned and lonely
Then you know why I'm feeling bad
You understand the reason for my sadness
Put yourself in my place
Once again, imagine being in my shoes
And when you're just about to go insane
When you're close to losing your mind
Cause it hurts to love in vain
Because it's painful to love someone who doesn't love you back
Ask a girl who's been in love
Talk to someone who has experienced this kind of love
I believed your evil line
I fell for your dishonest words
Now I'm left alone and crying
I'm now by myself and weeping
Alone to count the stars above
By myself while gazing at the stars above
Put yourself in my place
Once again, imagine being in my shoes
Why don't you try it
Why not give it a shot
Why don't you try it baby
Why not try it, my dear
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, THORNTON JOHN, JOHN THORNTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind