Coolidge's early career was as a backing vocalist, for artists such as Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, and Leon Russell. Her performance of "Superstar" on the Cocker/Russell Mad Dogs and Englishmen album helped gain her attention. She became known as "The Delta Lady" and inspired Leon Russell to write a song of the same name for her. It was during this time that she met Kris Kristofferson; the two married in 1973. With him, she recorded several duet albums which sold well, and earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1974 for From the Bottle to the Bottom, and in 1976 for Lover Please.
In 1997, Coolidge was one of the founding members of Walela, a Native American music trio, that also includes Coolidge's sister Priscilla and Priscilla's daughter Laura Satterfield. The trio released albums in 1997 and 2000. Walela means hummingbird in Cherokee.
Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends
Rita Coolidge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We may never pass this way again
Just let me enjoy 'till its over
Or forever
Please don't tell me how the story ends
See the way our shadows come together
Softer than your fingers on my skin
That we'll remember
Of each other
Please don't tell me how the story ends
Never's just the echo of forever
Lonesome as the love that might have been
Just let me go on loving and believing
'Till it's over
Please don't tell me how the story ends
Please don't tell me how the story ends
The lyrics to "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends" by Rita Coolidge feat. Kris Kristofferson convey a sense of urgency and longing for a fleeting moment of connection. The song speaks to the fragility of relationships and the fear of knowing what lies ahead. The opening line suggests that this could be the last time the two individuals are together, hinting at the possibility of a breakup or the end of their time together.
As the lyrics progress, the plea to not reveal how the story ends becomes more heartfelt. The line "Just let me enjoy 'till its over, or forever" expresses a desire to live in the present moment, either savoring the time they have left or hoping for a lasting connection. The reference to shadows coming together and the tenderness of fingers on skin evokes a sense of intimacy and vulnerability.
The lines "Someday this may be all that we'll remember of each other" suggest that the singer anticipates a potential loss of memory or fading of their shared experiences over time. The repetition of the plea to not reveal the ending emphasizes the singer's desperation to hold onto the present, to keep love alive, and to avoid the pain of knowing what lies ahead.
Overall, the song captures a bittersweet sentiment, expressing the desire to live in the moment and to prolong the joy of love, all while acknowledging the transient nature of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
This could be our last goodnight together
It is possible that this moment is our final chance to have a beautiful evening together.
We may never pass this way again
It's possible that we will never have the opportunity to experience something like this in the future.
Just let me enjoy 'till its over
Allow me to fully relish and appreciate this experience until it reaches its conclusion.
Or forever
Alternatively, this could have a lasting impact on our lives.
Please don't tell me how the story ends
I implore you not to reveal the outcome or conclusion of our shared experience.
See the way our shadows come together
Observe how our shadows merge and unite, symbolizing our connection.
Softer than your fingers on my skin
The touch of our shadows is gentle and delicate, comparable to the touch of your fingers on my body.
Someday this may be all
In the future, these memories might be all we have left.
That we'll remember
These shared moments may become the only remembrance we hold onto.
Of each other
They will serve as a lasting memory of our connection and time spent together.
Never's just the echo of forever
The notion of 'never' is merely a faint echo or reflection of 'forever'.
Lonesome as the love that might have been
The feeling of loneliness is comparable to the potential love we could have experienced together, but did not.
Just let me go on loving and believing
Allow me to continue loving and maintaining my faith in our connection.
'Till it's over
Until our shared experience reaches its conclusion.
Please don't tell me how the story ends
Once again, I plead with you not to disclose the outcome or conclusion of our shared experience.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mar-enfrance
This is one of the saddest songs ever. They loved each other, perhaps will do so forever but like so many, could not find the path towards staying together.
@cjctucson7683
What a wonderful duet. You can see in their faces how in love there are. It makes me sad each time I see them singing together to know they did not make it as a couple.
@summer2786
Uh, no. Didn't you see how he shoo'd her away at the beginning and the look on their faces?
@Kevin9Glue0Allan
fantastic song. He wrote some great songs...MOST OF THEM
@Peekay9
Sometimes when you see two beautiful people side by side, it leaves you breathless.
@maviskirsch2235
What a beautiful song, I ran six miles today listening to just is song. Sad they were singing their life. How I wish they could have worked it out. I spent the day listening to her story. Glad they stayed friends to the end.
@billygoat1883
Beautiful Couple Great Harmony. So sad they didn't make it.
@jackwalker1822
About the 10th time I watched this, I noticed a kind of subtle sadness in Kris's eyes. Perhaps he knew they were drifting apart and just wanted to suppress it. Which makes the meaning of these lyrics even more real.
@billygoat1883
@@jackwalker1822 They had already separated when he wrote this song. His drinking and being on the road too long took its toll on their marriage. They still love each other.
@anelladambrosio2513
@@jackwalker1822ciao Jack! 🙋♀️😊😘💘