They changed their name to Finger Eleven for their breakthrough Tip, released on Mercury Records in Canada in 1997, and re-released by Wind-Up Records in the United States in 1998. The name Finger Eleven comes from an earlier version of the song Thin Spirits from the album Tip. Lead singer, Scott Anderson explains: "when everything is pushing you in one direction and your instinct drives you in another--that’s finger eleven."
A year later, drummer Rob Gommerman left the band and was replaced by Rich Beddoe. In 2000 they released The Greyest of Blue Skies. 2003's self-titled album Finger Eleven was a commercial success, spawning the single One Thing which reached #16 in the US. The band also recorded the song Slow Chemical for WWE superstar Kane and Daaam! (feat. Tha Alkaholiks) on the compilation album Loud Rocks.
Them vs. You vs. Me, was released on March 6, 2007 and contains the singles Paralyzer, Falling On, I'll Keep Your Memory Vague, and Talking To The Walls.
Their most recent album, Life Turns Electric was released on Oct 5, 2010. It featured singles Living in a Dream, Whatever Doesn't Kill Me, Stone Soul and finally Pieces Fit.
Band Line-up
* Scott Anderson (vocals)
* Rick Jackett (guitar)
* James Black (guitar)
* Sean Anderson (bass)
* Rich Beddoe (drums)
I'll Keep Your Memory Vague
Finger Eleven Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I just think it could
Cause I haven't tried as hard as I should
To separate you from everything I do
But I would never want to come between us two
[Chorus]
I'll keep your memory vague
I'll say the things that you said
Sometimes so it reminds me
Now I'm thinking back
To what I said before
I hope your heart won't have to hurt anymore
Cause it's really not that sad from here
Because the moments I can feel you near
They keep you close to me my dear
And if they ever become too clear...
[Chorus: x2]
Now you've gone away
Don't worry it's OK
That you're gone away
Further than yesterday
But you'll never leave these scenes
My mind replays
[Chorus: x4]
The lyrics of Finger Eleven's song I'll Keep Your Memory Vague revolve around the themes of nostalgia, fond memories, and moving on. In the beginning, the singer confesses that although he views himself as having not put enough effort into maintaining a relationship and separating it from everything else in his life, he would never intentionally come between them. The chorus becomes an admission that he will keep his memories of the relationship vague and will try to not let anyone's feelings get hurt, particularly his own. As the song progresses, he talks about how the moments he's shared with the other person keep their memory alive and close to him, but he is aware that if those moments become too vivid, they may just hurt him more. By the end of the song, he accepts that the person he shared memories with is gone and while he is moving forward, he acknowledges that they will always remain close to him through his mind's replays.
Line by Line Meaning
This won't break your heart
I don't think what I'm about to say will hurt you emotionally.
But I just think it could
However, I might be wrong and it might hurt you after all.
Cause I haven't tried as hard as I should
I haven't put in enough effort to separate you from everything I do.
To separate you from everything I do
I want to separate you from my actions and thoughts to spare you from any pain that might come from them.
But I would never want to come between us two
However, I don't want our bond to weaken because of this separation.
I'll keep your memory vague
To prevent you from feeling bad about me, I'll try to make your memory of me fuzzy and unclear.
So you won't feel bad about me
This way, you won't suffer any negative emotions because of me.
I'll say the things that you said
I'll occasionally repeat the things you said so that it reminds me of you and keeps you close.
Sometimes so it reminds me
By doing this, I hope to keep you present in my life.
Now I'm thinking back
I'm reflecting on the situation.
To what I said before
Specifically, I'm revisiting my previous statement about this not hurting you.
I hope your heart won't have to hurt anymore
I hope you won't have to suffer any emotional pain from this situation.
Cause it's really not that sad from here
From my perspective, things aren't that bad.
Because the moments I can feel you near
I still have instances when I feel your presence around me.
They keep you close to me my dear
These moments help me feel like you're still with me.
And if they ever become too clear...
However, if these moments become too intense, I might not be able to handle them emotionally.
Now you've gone away
You've left my physical presence.
Don't worry it's OK
But there's no need to worry because things are still fine.
Further than yesterday
You're getting farther from me with each passing day.
But you'll never leave these scenes
However, you'll always be a part of my memories.
My mind replays
I keep replaying these memories in my mind.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT SCOTT ANDERSON, RICK JACKETT, JAMES RYAN BLACK, SEAN ANDERSON, RICHARD ROBERT BEDDOE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@scarygirlBme
"This won't break your heart
But I just think it could
Cause I haven't tried as hard as I should
To separate you from everything I do
But I would never want to come between us two
I'll keep your memory vague
So you won't feel bad about me
I'll say the things that you said
Sometimes so it reminds me
Now I'm thinking back
To what I said before
I hope your heart won't have to hurt anymore
Cause it's really not that sad from here
Because the moments I can feel you near
They keep you close to me my dear
And if they ever become too clear...
Now you've gone away
Don't worry it's ok
That you're gone away
Now you've gone away
Further than yesterday
But you'll never leave these scenes
My mind replays
Where in the world have you gone now?"
@John-X
This won't break your heart
But I just think it could
Cause I haven't tried as hard as I should
To separate you from everything I do
But I would never want to come between us two
I'll keep your memory vague
So you won't feel bad about me
I'll say the things that you said
Sometimes so it reminds me
Now I'm thinking back
To what I said before
I hope your heart won't have to hurt anymore
Cause it's really not that sad from here
Because the moments I can feel you near
They keep you close to me my dear
And if they ever become too clear...
I'll keep your memory vague
So you won't feel bad about me
I'll say the things that you said
Sometimes so it reminds me
I'll keep your memory vague
So you won't feel bad about me
I'll say the things that you said
Sometimes so it reminds me
Now you've gone away
Don't worry it's OK
That you're gone away
That you're gone away
Further than yesterday
But you'll never leave these scenes
My mind replays
I'll keep your memory vague
So you won't feel bad about me
I'll say the things that you said
Sometimes so it reminds me
I'll keep your memory vague
So you won't feel bad about me
I'll say the things that you said
Sometimes so it reminds me
I'll keep your memory vague
So you won't feel bad about me
I'll say the things that you said
Sometimes so it reminds me
I'll keep your memory vague
So you won't feel bad about me
I'll say the things that you said
Sometimes so it reminds me
@y2jfan462
How was this not a bigger hit? Emotional power ballads were huge in the late 2000s!
@nirvananicholson
Nostalgia.. it’s bizarre how a song you hear as a kid, becomes relatable as you age and go through certain things in life..
@harshgharlute9524
How could you possibly not fall in love with this song
@heelgill
We get it, you love Slow Chemical and admire the band! Me too.
@owinleslie7164
By keeping its memory vague
@djko1267
one of the most underrated songs of all time
a masterpiece, thank you
@amaliaputri8603
2019 and still be my favorit quotes. "I'll keep your memory vague, so you won't feel bad about me" ♥
@maspaje9110
So bad
@patrickdoran180
"But you'll never leave these scenes my mind re-plays" - So very true.
@garywest942
I am so in love with this song cuz it totally rocks for real people and they are Canadian that's awesome too whos with me on that huh people