Old Love
Eric Clapton feat. Tessa Niles & Chuck Leavell Lyrics


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I can feel your body
When I'm lying in bed
There's too much confusion
Going around through my head

And it makes me so angry
To know that the flame still burns
Why can't I get over?
When will I ever learn?

[Chorus:]
Old love, leave me alone
Old love, go on home

I can see your face
But I know that it's not real
It's just an illusion
Caused by how I used to feel

And it makes me so angry
To know that the flame will always burn
I'll never get over
I know now that I'll never learn





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

In Eric Clapton's song "Old Love", he expresses the frustration and confusion he feels about a past love that he still feels connected to. He explains that even when he is lying in bed, he can still feel the other person's presence. However, this only adds to his anger and confusion because he cannot understand why he is still attached to someone who is no longer a part of his life. Throughout the song, Clapton questions why he cannot get over this old love and when he will finally learn to move on.


The chorus repeats the phrase "Old love, leave me alone. Old love, go on home," which highlights Clapton's desire to move on from this old love. He recognizes that seeing the person's face is not real, but merely an illusion caused by his past feelings. Despite this, he knows the flame for this old love will always burn within him. In the end, Clapton understands that he may never fully get over this old relationship and may never learn how to move on.


Overall, "Old Love" is a raw and emotional song that delves into the complexities of past love and how it can continue to affect us even after it is over.


Line by Line Meaning

I can feel your body
I am haunted by memories of physical intimacy we once shared.


When I'm lying in bed
These memories especially haunt me when I am alone in bed.


There's too much confusion
My thoughts and emotions are in turmoil and it is hard for me to make sense of them.


Going around through my head
These confusing thoughts keep circling around and around in my mind.


And it makes me so angry
My inability to move on from this love makes me frustrated and irate.


To know that the flame still burns
Despite the passage of time, I am still filled with passion and desire for this love.


Why can't I get over?
I cannot understand why I cannot move past these feelings and put this love in the past.


When will I ever learn?
I am frustrated with myself for not being able to learn from past mistakes and move on.


Old love, leave me alone
I am calling out to this love, begging it to let me move on and find happiness elsewhere.


Old love, go on home
I am asking this love to return to the past and leave me in peace.


I can see your face
Even though the years have passed, I can still vividly remember your face and the emotions it evokes.


But I know that it's not real
Despite these vivid memories, I know that this love is no longer a reality in my life.


It's just an illusion
The intense emotions and longing I feel are merely an illusion created by my own mind.


Caused by how I used to feel
My memories are fueled by how I once felt when this love was a real part of my life.


I'll never get over
I have come to the realization that I will never truly move past this love and the imprint it left on my heart.


I know now that I'll never learn
I have accepted that I cannot force myself to learn from this experience and find closure in it.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT CRAY, ERIC CLAPTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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