Southside has long been considered the Grandfather of "the New Jersey Sound." Jon bon Jovi has acknowledged Southside as "his reason for singing." In 1982 the Rolling Stone Magazine voted the album Hearts of Stone among the top 100 albums of the 70's and 80's. In 1987, Southside and the Jukes were featured in the film Adventures in Babysitting performing at a college frat party.
Since 2001 Southside Johnny and the Jukes have toured the UK and Europe as an annual event, their first since the 1992 Better Days tour. His most recent album is Grapefruit Moon: The Songs Of Tom Waits (2008).
Hearts Of Stone
Southside Johnny Lyrics
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And you try so hard to see
The way things were when we were at your place
Everyday was just you and me
And you cry because things ain't like before
Well, don't you know it can't be that way anymore
But don't worry baby
So put your ear close to the phone
This is the last dance, the last chance
For hearts of stone
If there was something, baby, that I could do
Something that would last, honey, I would
But you should know better than to think that you
Can return to the past
So close your eyes and I'll be there
Hold you once more,not go anywhere
I wish I could, babe
But I can't talk now, I'm not alone
So put your ear close to the phone
This is the last dance, the last chance
For hearts of stone
And you cry because things get so strange so fast
And you cry because nothing good ever lasts
Well, I know babe
Yes, I know, babe
But I can't talk now, I'm not alone
So put your ear close to the phone
'Cause this is the last dance, the last chance
For hearts of stone
This is the last dance, the last chance
For hearts of stone
"Hearts of Stone" by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes is a song about a breakup – a story of two people trying to come to terms with the fact that the relationship they once had is over. The singer is staring at himself in the mirror, lamenting the fact that things can never be the same as they were, and his ex-girlfriend is crying and wanting to go back to how things were. The song is about the realization that there is nothing that can be done to change what has happened, and that it is time to move on.
The lyrics are brimming with emotion, and the delivery by Southside Johnny is heartfelt and raw. The song is a reminder that relationships can be fleeting, and that even when two people love each other deeply, sometimes things don't work out. The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, as Southside Johnny sings "So put your ear close to the phone / This is the last dance, the last chance / For hearts of stone." It is a plea to his ex-girlfriend to listen to what he has to say and to let go of the past, so they can both move on.
Overall, "Hearts of Stone" is a beautiful and haunting song about the pain of a breakup and the struggle to move forward. It is a testament to the power of music to capture the deepest emotions and convey them to listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
You stare in the mirror at the lines in your face
You spend time examining your aging appearance in front of a mirror
And you try so hard to see
You make a great effort to find familiar things in your reflection
The way things were when we were at your place
You try to recall the past moments of happiness spent together
Everyday was just you and me
The happy memories include the simple pleasures of everyday routines
And you cry because things ain't like before
You feel sad because the present situation doesn't resemble the past
Well, don't you know it can't be that way anymore
You are reminded that the past cannot be recreated or relived
But don't worry baby
Despite the sorrow and nostalgia, there is still some hope for the future
I can't talk now, I'm not alone
The singer is not able to have an extended conversation at this moment
So put your ear close to the phone
The communication will be brief and intimate due to the distance between them
This is the last dance, the last chance
The present moment is crucial, as there may not be another opportunity
For hearts of stone
For people who have become emotionally hardened or detached
If there was something, baby, that I could do
The singer expresses a willingness to help or change the situation
Something that would last, honey, I would
The singer hopes to find a solution that has a lasting effect
But you should know better than to think that you
The singer acknowledges that the other person may have unrealistic expectations
Can return to the past
The singer explains that going back in time is impossible
So close your eyes and I'll be there
The singer offers a comforting presence, even if physically absent
Hold you once more,not go anywhere
The singer desires to hold the other person again, and reassure them
I wish I could, babe
The singer expresses regret at not being able to fulfill this desire
And you cry because things get so strange so fast
The sudden changes and uncertainty of life can be overwhelming
And you cry because nothing good ever lasts
The cyclical nature of change can be disheartening, with good times never lasting long enough
Well, I know babe
The singer empathizes with the other person, acknowledging that these feelings are valid
Yes, I know, babe
The singer reassures that they understand and have shared these experiences
This is the last dance, the last chance
The final opportunity to enact change, take a risk or make a meaningful decision
For hearts of stone
For the tough and resilient, who may need to open themselves up to vulnerability
This is the last dance, the last chance
The importance of the moment is emphasized, as it may be the final one
For hearts of stone
A reminder that even the toughest of people can have their hearts softened, given the right circumstances
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind