Back To You
Jewell Buddy Lyrics
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Just outside a-Memphis in the dyin' light of day
My eyes must have betrayed me, 'cause it was you, I could have sworn
And time came to a standstill as a brand new ghost was born
Yeah, a brand new ghost was born
How can you tell the river from the rain
When so much of you an' me and us remains?
It always comes back to you
In the latest book I'm readin' in the crisp October air
In a face I see in traffic in some yet unwhispered prayer
You are everything and everyone and everywhere I go
Hangin' like a mornin' mist that's burnin' off too slow
You are burnin' off too slow
How can you tell the river from the rain
When so much of you an' me and us remains?
No matter what direction I go runnin' to
It always comes back to you
Just like I always did
Remindin' me, I'm such a fool to ever let you go
How can you tell the river from the rain
When so much of you an' me and us remains?
No matter what direction I go runnin' to
It always comes back to you
The lyrics of Jewel's song "Back To You" describe the lingering presence of a past love in the present. The song starts with a moment in a roadside cafe where the singer sees someone who looks just like their past love. This freezeframe in time births a "brand new ghost", representing the haunting memories of their past relationship. The chorus poses a rhetorical question, asking how to distinguish between the past and present when so much of their past love remains in their life. The singer finds their past love in the books they read, the faces they see in traffic, and in their prayers, describing them as "everything and everyone and everywhere I go".
The repetition of the chorus throughout the song emphasizes the inescapable nature of the past love, as it "always comes back". The song ends with a slightly self-deprecating note, acknowledging that the singer is a "fool to ever let you go" and questioning whether it is possible to move on from the past love. The song's lyrical descriptions of love and loss are delivered in a gentle acoustic melody, allowing the emotions to speak for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
In a brief an' open moment in an' ol' roadside cafe
I was in a roadside cafe outside Memphis, and in a short moment of clarity, I saw you.
Just outside a-Memphis in the dyin' light of day
It was in the evening, on the outskirts of Memphis, as the sun was setting.
My eyes must have betrayed me, 'cause it was you, I could have sworn
I couldn't believe my eyes because I thought I saw you, but I wasn't sure.
And time came to a standstill as a brand new ghost was born
Time stood still as the realization hit me that a new feeling had arisen out of nowhere.
Yeah, a brand new ghost was born
This new feeling was so intense that it took on a life of its own.
How can you tell the river from the rain
Sometimes it's hard to distinguish one thing from another when they are so intertwined.
When so much of you an' me and us remains?
With so much of us still present, it's almost impossible to let go.
No matter what direction I go runnin' to
No matter how hard I try to move on, I can't escape this feeling.
It always comes back to you
This feeling always leads me back to you.
In the latest book I'm readin' in the crisp October air
Even when I'm reading a book in the refreshing October air, I can't escape this feeling.
In a face I see in traffic in some yet unwhispered prayer
Even a stranger's face in a passing car can trigger this intense emotion within me.
You are everything and everyone and everywhere I go
You are a part of everything and everyone I encounter, no matter where I go.
Hangin' like a mornin' mist that's burnin' off too slow
This feeling is like a morning mist that slowly fades away.
You are burnin' off too slow
This feeling is lingering longer than I want it to.
Just like I always did
My feelings for you haven't changed.
Remindin' me, I'm such a fool to ever let you go
These intense emotions are a constant reminder of how foolish I was to let you go.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALDRIDGE, CRISLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bridgett Bolen
This song will never get old!!!!
RobDC88
Amen
Nina Marie
Born in Norway and having lived all over Scandinavia, in England, Scotland and Wales along with Germany I led a gypsy life and I have also traveled most of the US... that is until I found my all time favorite place in the world, the South, I have found my "forever home". I love the South and its people, customs and manners and this song just nails it.
EastNC59
From NC. And no other part of the country I would wish to live. We have our problems but it doesn’t outweigh the good we have here
WillD8445
Georgia boy who's also bounced all over the world. Ain't no place better. Welcome home.
Phillip Utterberg
Born and raised in Georgia
Wayne Williams
I was one of the chosen few to be born in Alabama! Roll tide roll
AlW83
We welcome you and everyone to The South
KBOS Aviation
As a Northerner, a Yankee, Hispanic to boot, I can gladly say that I've visited the South many times and even lived in the South and have yet to encounter nicer, friendlier, family loving, proud, patriotic, God loving people. This song hits it right on!
Southerngurl68
A.D. Peguero yep we are😄