Shelton released his debut album, Wild-Eyed Dream, in 1987, and his first-ever single, "Crime of Passion," hit the country Top Ten. Its follow-up, "Somebody Lied," went all the way to number one; so did the album, and so did another single, "Life Turned Her That Way." Shelton quickly recorded a follow-up album, Loving Proof, which appeared in 1988 and also topped the country charts; it spun off three number one hits in "I'll Leave This World Loving You," "From a Jack to a King," and "Living Proof," while "Hole in My Pocket" made the Top Five. While readying his third proper album, Shelton also completed two specialty projects: the 1989 holiday album Ricky Van Shelton Sings Christmas and the 1990 gospel record Don't Overlook Salvation. Meanwhile, his official follow-up to Loving Proof, RVS III, was released in 1990 and became his third number one album. "I've Cried My Last Tear for You" gave him another number one single, while "I Meant Every Word He Said" and "Statue of a Fool" both topped out at number two; "Life's Little Ups and Downs" also made the Top Five. In 1991, Shelton teamed up with Dolly Parton for the chart-topping duet "Rockin' Years" and subsequently issued another album, Backroads. Though it just missed the top of the country charts, Backroads kept his hit streak going strong, producing two more number ones in "Keep It Between the Lines" and "I Am a Simple Man" (giving him a total of nine) and a number two hit in the title track.
Musical tastes can shift quickly, and by the time Shelton conquered the alcohol abuse that had begun to take a toll on his personal life, Garth Brooks was completely altering the contemporary country landscape. To hold fans over, he released Greatest Hits Plus in 1992, and its newly recorded track, "Wild Man," hit the Top Five. He returned in 1993 with A Bridge I Didn't Burn, but the album didn't spawn any huge hits, as had been expected; it went gold, but it was the only Ricky Van Shelton album to date that ultimately failed to go platinum. 1994's Love and Honor continued his commercial downturn, and tensions with Columbia led Shelton to part ways with his label a couple years later. He busied himself with, among other projects, a series of children's books centered around the character Quacker the Duck that he'd begun several years earlier. He also formed his own label, RVS, and recorded an album on his own called Making Plans, which he distributed via an exclusive agreement with the Wal-Mart store chain in 1997. The following year, Vanguard stepped in to give the record a wider release. Shelton subsequently signed with the Audium label, home to many veteran country artists, and recorded a new album, Fried Green Tomatoes, in 2000.
Sweet Memories
Ricky Van Shelton Lyrics
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Sweet memories
My world is like a river, as dark as it is deep
Night after night, the past slips in and gathers all my sleep
My days are just an endless stream of emptiness to me
Filled only by the fleeting moments of his memory
Sweet, sweet memories
Oh yeah
He slipped into the silence of my dreams last night
Wondering from room to room, just turning on each light
His laughter spills like water from the river to the sea
I'm swept away from the sadness, clinging to his memory
Oh, sweet, sweet memories
Sweet memories
Oh yes
The song "Sweet Memories" by Ricky Van Shelton is a poignant and introspective exploration of the power of memories. The opening lines of "My world is like a river, as dark as it is deep" set the tone for a song that reflects the darkness and emptiness that can come with nostalgia. The singer is haunted by memories of a past love, struggling to come to terms with the fact that those memories are all that remain of the relationship. The repetition of "sweet memories" throughout the song underscores the bittersweet nature of these recollections - they are both comforting and painful.
The second verse describes a dream in which the singer's former partner appears, moving through the dark and silent spaces of their mind. This dream highlights the power of memories to take us to places we can never go again - to times when we were happier or more in love. The final lines of "Sweet Memories" capture the heartache and complexity of this experience - the singer is "swept away from the sadness, clinging to his memory." Whether the memories are truly sweet or more complicated, they are powerful enough to shape the present and define the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet memories
The memories of the past that bring joy and positive emotions.
Sweet memories
Reiterating the importance of the memories that bring peace and happiness.
My world is like a river, as dark as it is deep
The singer's world is vast and impenetrable, shrouded in darkness and secrets.
Night after night, the past slips in and gathers all my sleep
The artist is haunted by their memories every night, taking away the possibility of sound sleep.
My days are just an endless stream of emptiness to me
The artist's days lack any significant meaning or purpose, with boredom and monotony being the main aspects of their daily life.
Filled only by the fleeting moments of his memory
The singer finds respite in the moments when they recall the memories of a loved one.
Sweet, sweet memories
A reaffirmation of the significance and sweetness of the memories.
He slipped into the silence of my dreams last night
The artist dreamed of their loved one who has passed on and has re-entered their mental world.
Wondering from room to room, just turning on each light
In the artist's dream, the loved one is exploring their surroundings, leaving behind a trail of light to signify his existence.
His laughter spills like water from the river to the sea
The artist is reminded of his loved one's laughter, bringing to light the vastness and beauty of the emotions evoked.
I'm swept away from the sadness, clinging to his memory
The singer finds solace in memories of the loved one and tries to hold on to them amidst the sadness and loneliness.
Sweet memories
Reiterating the significance of memories in the artist's life
Sweet memories
A final affirmation of the importance of holding on to memories that bring joy and peace.
Oh yes
A personal affirmation of the importance of these memories to the singer's life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICKEY NEWBURY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind