Photographs
Jody Watley Lyrics
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Loving can hurt sometimes
But it's the only thing that I know
When it gets hard
You know it can get hard sometimes
It is the only thing that makes us feel alive
We keep this love in a photograph
Where our eyes are never closing
Hearts are never broken
Times forever frozen still
So you can keep me
Inside the pocket
Of your ripped jeans
Holdin' me closer
'Til our eyes meet
You won't ever be alone
Wait for me to come home
Loving can heal
Loving can mend your soul
And it's the only thing that I know (know)
I swear it will get easier
Remember that with every piece of ya
And it's the only thing we take with us when we die
We keep this love in this photograph
We made these memories for ourselves
Where our eyes are never closing
Our hearts were never broken
Times forever frozen still
So you can keep me
Inside the pocket
Of your ripped jeans
Holdin' me closer
'Til our eyes meet
You won't ever be alone
And if you hurt me
That's OK, baby, only words bleed
Inside these pages you just hold me
And I won't ever let you go
Wait for me to come home Oh you can fit me
Inside the necklace you got when you were 16
Next to your heartbeat
Where I should be
Keep it deep within your soul
And if you hurt me
Well, that's OK, baby, only words bleed
Inside these pages you just hold me
And I won't ever let you go
When I'm away
I will remember how you kissed me
Under the lamppost
Back on 6th street
Hearing you whisper through the phone,
"Wait for me to come home."
Jody Watley’s song Photographs is a powerful and poignant ode to love and memories. The song is a reminder that, despite the pain and heartache that can sometimes come with loving, it is still worth pursuing. The lyrics suggest that the only thing that truly matters in life is the memories we make with the people we love. It is through these memories that we keep our loved ones close, even long after they are gone.
The song starts by acknowledging that love can be difficult and painful, but it is still the only thing that makes us feel alive. The lines “Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes, but it's the only thing that I know” illustrate this point. Despite the inherent difficulties in loving, the singer affirms that it is still a worthwhile pursuit. The second verse asserts that love can also heal and mend the soul, and that it is the only thing we take with us when we die.
In the chorus, the singer sings about keeping love and memories alive through photographs. The lyrics “We keep this love in a photograph, we made these memories for ourselves, where our eyes are never closing, hearts are never broken, times forever frozen still” describe how photographs can capture a moment in time and preserve it forever. The song suggests that we hold onto these memories as a way to keep our loved ones close, and that they can offer a source of comfort and peace.
Overall, Jody Watley’s Photographs is a moving tribute to the power of love and memory. It acknowledges the difficulties that come with loving, but ultimately celebrates the importance of cherishing the moments we have with those we care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Loving can hurt
Love has the potential to cause pain
Loving can hurt sometimes
In some cases, love can be painful and difficult
But it's the only thing that I know
Despite the potential for hurt, love is the only thing the singer is familiar with
When it gets hard
When love becomes challenging or difficult
You know it can get hard sometimes
The artist acknowledges that love can be tough
It is the only thing that makes us feel alive
For the singer, love is the only thing that gives them a sense of being truly alive
We keep this love in a photograph
The singer and their partner have captured their love and memories in a photograph
We made these memories for ourselves
The couple intentionally created these memories for their own enjoyment and recollection
Where our eyes are never closing
In the photograph, the couple's eyes are open and focused
Hearts are never broken
The love captured in the photo is undamaged and alive
Times forever frozen still
The moment captured in the photograph will remain unchanged forever
So you can keep me
The artist is suggesting their partner keep their love and memories close
Inside the pocket
The partner can keep the singer's love like a treasure in their pocket
Of your ripped jeans
The jeans may be damaged or worn, but the love within them remains strong
Holdin' me closer
In the partner's thoughts and actions, they can hold the singer and their love even closer
'Til our eyes meet
The couple longs to be reunited so they can look into each other's eyes
You won't ever be alone
The artist assures their partner that they will never be alone because their love will always be with them
Loving can heal
Love has the capacity to be a healing force
Loving can mend your soul
Love can repair emotional wounds and bring a sense of wholeness
And it's the only thing that I know (know)
For the artist, love is the only thing they truly understand and rely upon
I swear it will get easier
The artist promises that love will become easier to manage and navigate over time
Remember that with every piece of ya
The artist advises their partner to keep this promise in mind and hold it close to their heart
And it's the only thing we take with us when we die
At the end of our lives, love is the only thing that truly matters and goes with us
Next to your heartbeat
The artist wants to be kept close to their partner's heart
Where I should be
For the singer, being close to their partner's heart is where they belong
Keep it deep within your soul
The singer advises their partner to keep their love and memories deep within their innermost being
Well, that's OK, baby, only words bleed
The singer is reassuring their partner that even if they say hurtful things, it won't damage their love
Inside these pages you just hold me
The partner can hold their love and memories like a book or photo album
And I won't ever let you go
The artist promises to never let their partner go, despite any hardships that may come their way
When I'm away
When the singer is physically distant from their partner
I will remember how you kissed me
The singer will hold onto memories of their partner's affection
Under the lamppost
A specific location where the couple shared a moment of intimacy
Back on 6th street
The street where the couple shared a moment of affection
Hearing you whisper through the phone,
A conversation between the two while physically apart
"Wait for me to come home."
The singer is asking their partner to wait for their return
Writer(s): r. lee, jody watley, rodney lee
Contributed by David L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marie W
I'll always love her music. ❤
Lydgia
Listening in 2022 and having a ball! One of my faves by JW.
Tony Ross Back In The Day Music Videos and Now
LOVE this song.
Geo Greene
The entire CD is great...
Marcell Randall
Great song! Thanks for sharing!
Nate Mapp
This version is ONLY the BEST...👍👍👍👍👍
Venetta Bejenaru
listening in 2016!! love you !!