He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
Traces Of My Love
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like your voice upon my ear
I seem to hear traces of my love
The river rushes down
There's sweetness in the sound
I seem to hear traces of my love
I find no rest, instead I seem to see
You here with me
O will that sweet day ever be
O, o traces of my love
O, o traces of my love
In every crowded place
In every stranger's face
I seem to see traces of my love
Inside my darkest day
When the world seems cold and grey
I seem to see traces of my love
If I try to turn my head
Or close my eyes
Instead I see you there
O everywhere
Shadows of a face so rare
O, o traces of my love
O, o traces of my love
If I try to turn my head
Or close my eyes
Instead I see you there
O everywhere
Shadows of a face so rare
O, o traces of my love
O, o traces of my love
The Richard & Linda Thompson song, "Traces Of My Love," is a poignant exploration of the lingering effects of lost love. The lyrics present a series of haunting images that convey the deep sense of longing and heartbreak that the singer is experiencing.
Throughout the song, the singer is plagued by the memory of the one who got away. The songbird's sweet voice reminds him of his lost love's speaking voice, and the rushing river conjures up sweet memories of happier times. Even in crowded places, he sees her face in every stranger. The despair he feels is palpable, and he can find no rest even when he tries to shut her out by closing his eyes.
The chorus is a repetition of the phrase "traces of my love," which is a powerful expression of the lasting impact that love can have on a person, even long after it has ended. The song ends with a question: "O will that sweet day ever be?" suggesting that the singer still holds out hope for a reunion with his lost love, even as he is tormented by her memory.
Line by Line Meaning
The songbird sings so clear
The pleasant sound of a bird reminds me of how clear and soothing your voice is
Like your voice upon my ear
The melody and sweet tone of the bird's song reminds me of the comfort and intimacy felt when hearing your voice whisper in my ear
I seem to hear traces of my love
The familiarity of the bird's song reminds me of our love and the memories we share, making me feel like you are near
The river rushes down
The sound and flow of the river resembles the beauty and intensity of our love for each other
There's sweetness in the sound
The sound of the rushing water has a sweet and calming effect on me, reminding me of the times we've spent together and the love we've shared
When I lay on my bed
As I lie down to rest, my thoughts and feelings turn to you and the love we share
I find no rest, instead I seem to see
My mind is consumed with thoughts of you, and I cannot find peace or restful sleep
You here with me
I imagine and feel your presence with me, as if you were there lying beside me
O will that sweet day ever be
I yearn for the day when we can be together again and our love can be fully realized
O, o traces of my love
The reminders of our love are bittersweet, bringing both comfort and longing
In every crowded place
Even in a bustling, crowded environment, my thoughts and feelings turn to you and our love
In every stranger's face
Every unfamiliar face I see reminds me of the unique and special connection we share
Inside my darkest day
During my hardest and most trying moments, my thoughts and emotions turn to you and the light you bring into my life
When the world seems cold and grey
During difficult times when the world feels unforgiving and unloving, your love and warmth shine through and give me hope
If I try to turn my head
Even if I try to distract myself or turn away from my thoughts of you, they persist
Or close my eyes
Even when I close my eyes to rest or take a break, my mind remains focused on my love for you
Instead I see you there
My mind's eye is filled with images and memories of you, and I cannot escape the strength of my feelings for you
O everywhere
You are omnipresent in my thoughts and emotions, and I cannot escape the all-consuming love I feel for you
Shadows of a face so rare
Even when your physical form is not present, the memory and essence of your face and its uniqueness and rarity are always with me
O, o traces of my love
The constant reminders of our love are both comforting and painful, an ever-present reminder of what we share and what we long for
O, o traces of my love
The repetition of this line emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the love and its persistent hold on the artist's thoughts and emotions
Contributed by Jeremiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stefan Wenger
Right. This isn't "Traces of my Love," this is "King of Bohemia."
Richard Elbourne
Live version of King of Bohemia
Arie Euwijk
"Traces of my Love"? It isn't the song by that name we know from Sunnyvista, the Richard & Linda Thompson album.
Richard Elbourne corrected that.
"Hokey Pokey" fanzine at the time (well, april 1993) reported that it "is in fact the new song that RT has never recorded and which Richard provisionally titled 'Jack Straw's Castle'."