Kelley Was
Stephen Covell Lyrics
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These ears to hear
These eyes to see
That's not enough for me
I want my mind to shine
Gold all the time
Reason with the rhymes
I don't mean to be the rain
On your perfect parade
But I need to say what I need to say
And if you don't like it that's okay
I will not abide slipping down that slide this time
Once this was a playground where we shared love and life
Now it all looks so ugly as I turn away
The pavement shares that simple theme that is with me always
Kelley was here
My hearts not gray and solid
Like this one carved at my feet
Mines molded changed and rearranged
With each person that I meet
I've got so much love to give
And I've got so much love to make
But it just runs through the sieve
When all my lovers say is fake
Kelley was here
She made it perfectly clear
Shes found a new home
Away from this carved heart in stone
And I don't mean to be the rain
On her perfect perade
I'll bite my tongue in the wake
Of the choices she's made
And I will not abide...
Stephen Covell’s song “Kelley Was Here” is an introspective piece about the complexities of the mind and relationships. The opening lines, “I’ve got these legs to walk, these ears to hear, these eyes to see, that’s not enough for me” highlights the desire to go beyond what is obvious and visible in order to find deeper meaning in life. The singer expresses a desire to have a mind that shines with gold all the time and to reason with the rhymes. This is an appeal for the listener to pay attention to the more profound aspects of life and to be discerning of what is important.
However, the singer acknowledges his current state of being where his thoughts “ain’t been mine.” This line highlights the struggle of maintaining control of one’s mind and the constant influence of external factors. He then goes on to apologize for being the rain on one’s perfect parade, but he needs to say what he needs to say, even if it’s not liked. The second verse explores the singer’s thoughts on love and relationships. He conveys a willingness to give and receive love but it runs through the sieve when his partners' actions show them to be fake.
In the chorus, the singer highlights the changes that have occurred in his life. He recognizes that once the playground was shared for love and life. The pavement shares a simple theme that is with him always: Kelley was here. The bridge, “My heart’s not gray and solid, like this one carved at my feet, mine's molded changed and rearranged, with each person that I meet” reinforces the singer's stance, that interpersonal relationships shape and change us always.
In summary, “Kelley Was Here” speaks to the idea of self-discovery and the importance of human relationships. It’s an introspective piece offering insights into the struggle of maintaining control of the mind, seeking deeper meaning in relationships and the need to express oneself regardless of the reaction.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got These legs to walk
I have the physical ability to move and travel
These ears to hear
I can perceive sound through my sense of hearing
These eyes to see
I am capable of visually perceiving the world around me
That's not enough for me
I desire more than just physical sensations in order to feel fulfilled
I want my mind to shine
I strive for mental clarity and brilliance
Gold all the time
I want my thoughts and ideas to be valuable and precious
Reason with the rhymes
I want to use my intellect to create meaningful music
Cause lately my thoughts ain't been mine
My recent mental state has been affected by outside influences
I don't mean to be the rain
I don't intend to bring negativity or sadness
On your perfect parade
On your happy or ideal situation
But I need to say what I need to say
I have a need to express myself truthfully
And if you don't like it that's okay
Your reaction to my expression won't affect me
I will not abide slipping down that slide this time
I won't let myself fall into a negative situation again
Once this was a playground where we shared love and life
In the past, my life was full of joy and love
Now it all looks so ugly as I turn away
My current life no longer brings me the same happiness
The pavement shares that simple theme that is with me always
The ground beneath me reflects the constant truth of my life
Kelley was here
Kelley had an impact on my life and is now gone
My hearts not gray and solid
My emotions are ever-changing and adaptable
Like this one carved at my feet
Unlike the physical heart carved into the ground
Mines molded changed and rearranged
My emotional state is constantly in flux and influenced by those around me
With each person that I meet
Every individual affects me and changes the shape of my emotions
I've got so much love to give
I am capable of loving deeply and sincerely
And I've got so much love to make
I yearn to express my love physically and intimately
But it just runs through the sieve
My expressions of love are not always received or reciprocated
When all my lovers say is fake
The love I receive isn't always genuine or honest
She made it perfectly clear
Kelley was direct and honest about her desires
Shes found a new home
Kelley has moved on to a different chapter in her life
Away from this carved heart in stone
Kelley has removed herself from a situation that doesn't bring her happiness
I'll bite my tongue in the wake
I won't say anything that could cause Kelley pain
Of the choices she's made
I respect Kelley's decisions even if they don't align with my own
And I will not abide...
I refuse to allow my life to be negatively affected by the actions or choices of others
Contributed by Jasmine O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.